Originally Posted by
UALinIAH
I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say. OFC we need reserve improvements. I was just saying that I don't think our goal should be making reserve better specifically for commuters. Make changes that benefit the group, not a subset of the group. Commuting is a choice, reserve isn't always. I'd personally think things like pure SC lines that pay more would work. Locals could pick them up allowing commuters to not have to fly in just to sit SC and not get used. Things that are win-win. I personally don't agree with spending negotiating capital on specifically making commuting to reserve easier.
Since I was hired in 95, United has opened and closed ANC, closed MIA, closed HNL, closed SEA, and shrunk LAX and DEN by half. Many of us chose those bases, and established families there. In the last 15 years United has also parked 250+ airplanes, furloughed huge numbers of pilots twice and merged with another company. Would I like to not commute? Absolutely. I live I a base that hasn't had a Cap bid in over 3.5 years. I will do my best to avoid commuting and most certainly commuting to reserve, but looking at the last 15 years can make no guarantees. None of us can. Therefore, I think making reserve improvements is important.
Btw, your sc line idea isn't a bad one. Unfortunately, short of added leverage there will not be any changes. The company likes what they have. That alone should be enough to convince most that it isn't pilot friendly in many ways. For some, it is probably a good deal, but for others (base, seat, staffing) it clearly stinks.