There was an APA email regarding occupational dates. I might be misinterpreting it, but it looks like they are using that in the future for seniority (as AA always has) rather than DOH. Why does the union want to use this date? It hurts pilots financially for their first 12 years by delaying yearly pay scale raises. This in turn reduces the dues that the APA collects. I just don't see the benefit. It has zero effect on senior pilots, so I can't figure this out.

The whole concept seems to contradict the APA's hardline stance on seniority. On day one of class you bid assignments based on age seniority, then that earned seniority (based on age) could be stripped away depending on your class completion date.

They might even retroactively assign Occ dates to constructive notice hire pilots from the LUS side. I certainly hope they don't start using that date for our future pay raises retroactively.