Originally Posted by
BobZ
Ummm....domicile basing? Vacations? PBS bidding? Furlough? Displacements/AEs? theater of operation lifestyle? Premium flying awards?
Unless with this new normal pay rate template we somehow also adopt some other kind of metric for all these things than relative seniority on the list?
I'll start with the easy one:
1.) Premium flying awards: That's pay/compensation and if the #1 737 pilot makes the same as the #1 747 pilot, the premium flying opportunities are for the same amount.
Next:
2.) Furlough/displacements: The #1 AK 737 pilot is just as far from displacements to a lower paying position (which is F/O on any airplane), relatively speaking, as our #1 747 pilot.
3.) AE's: Same principle, just in reverse. Relatively speaking the 50.0001% F/O spot on the AK list is just as close to upgrade as the 50.0001% F/O spot on our list is. In fact, there is an argument that we could be at a disadvantage in negotiating this position that I won't get into.
4.) PBS bidding: Kind of the same principle, as well. Except, add the caveat that we all are pretty much awarded the same amount of hours, per month and being senior, doesn't guarantee you are going to initially be awarded more hours on the initial PBS run. Take longevity away and all captains will make about the same amount of money and all F/O's will make about the same amount of money. It's all relative, as well, too remember?
5.) Vacations: Same principle. Didn't the #1 AK pilot get all the vacation weeks he wanted, too? How do you want me, as an arbitrator to justify skewing the list in one direction so vacations can be fair?
Finally:
6.) Domicile Basing: Are you saying no Delta pilots will bid up to Anchorage, or Portland and vice versa? Even of they did, how am I as an arbitrator going to alter the list, and for what reason?
7.) Theater of operation/lifestyle: Once again, same principle. Who is to say that if given the opportunity, for the same payrate, Delta senior pilots wouldn't try to bid 737 captain, and do turns, so as to be home every night. Again, as an arbitrator, how do you want me to fix it and for what reason?
The bottom line is for arbitrators, lawyers, and judges, for the most part, it comes down to the bottom line. Money.
If you are costing someone money, and it can be fixed in a rational way, most likely, they will adjust their thinking and try to make things more equitable - monetarily.
And if the #1 747 captain makes the same amount as the #1 737 pilot, how are pilots being harmed monetarily by a ratio list with 2 category's -- Captain and F/O?
If you can't answer the above question, don't expect an arbitrator, or judge, to rule in your favor.
Respectfully,
New K Now