Originally Posted by
UAL T38 Phlyer
All things in life entail some risk.
Buying a car, getting married, having children, selling a home, playing poker, or which airline to work for---they all carry the possibility of failure, success, or the nagging question of "could I have done better?"
It's all gambling. And you can do as much research as is possible, but in the end, you have to go with your gut instinct, and your personal level of risk-taking.
So too is this TA. It might be the best we can do, and it might not. We might kick ourselves if it passes, and we might wail and lament if it doesn't.
Personally, I hope we at least get to look at it. But if/when it comes down to a vote:
It's still gambling.
Well, You could say it's all gambling.....and you wouldn't be wrong.
How does this sound. When you are looking for something, or looking to accomplish something there are three things to consider and two main variables. The goal is the opportunity, it is the outcome. If you want to negotiate a sweet contract then you need two things to meet or come together. Timing and Preparation. You can have a great environment and all the right timing, but with no preparation you still get no opportunity to make the deal. You can be very well prepared, but if the market, or the economy is sour, then the timing isn't right. So you get no deal, no contract.
in our case. I think the timing is good for now, but that window will be sliding shut in less than a year. As it relates to preparation, I don't think we are well prepared at all for any substanative or lengthy negotiations. Our MEC is too split, and our maturity as a pilot group lacks the prudence needed to both elect a good MEC and give them direction.
In the ALPA inverted pyramid the pilots are in charge. That means we, as a pilot group need to be prepared for section six. And, ultimately I don't think we are yet.
So, timing, and preparation need to come together for us to drive results so that when we are ready, we can get the opportunity to nail the contract. We still need to see where and what is going on in the industry regarding flags of convenience carriers, open skies, and RJ flying. Our next contract will need to institutionalize protections that our government won't give us in these areas. I look for Uncle Sam to be our worst enemy in the next round of contract talks. Will we protect our flying, or will we keep giving it away to Emirates, Ethiad, Etc.
We as a pilot group need time to get prepared. We need to save up a strike fund and be ready should our union and our government not understand what the goals are in the next section six. Mark my words....The next contract will be all about protecting our careers and the profession.