fundamentally, and permanently altering the compensation template is going to reorder and probably alter the seat bidding strategy for a large number of pilots.

understand pay banding is simply the first step in managements ultimate move to decouple pay and productivity. If I remember nothing else from reading Flying the Line....its that.....and what a mortal error it would be as pilots to allow this to happen.

management does in fact want banding, because it is the likely portal leading ultimately to some form of a 'simplified' A/B pay rate with a longevity increment that completely uncouples the pay rate from productivity.

once that is accomplished.....its a matter of then negotiating down the step of each increment, and at what point the peak increment is achieved.

its a lot less challenging for management to negotiate a SUBJECTIVELY VALUED single pay template for the entire group....than relative pay rates based on technical formulas for half a dozen or more aircraft types.

inevitably, and at a minimum.....this single pay template and subjective value model will sacrifice equity at the margins to satisfy some agreeable median.

You are in effect then a salary employee. And measurable productivity is no longer a factor in your compensation.

There are plenty of solutions to the impending generational turnover.

It would be our supreme failure to entertain one that is permanent AND concessionary to what is now in place. If we are going to do anything at all, it should be to engage in temporary solutions for the problem at hand, that may cost MORE....but LESS than what it will cost if we were to do nothing.