We all want a contract that's competitive with the other legacy carriers: pay-rates, soft-time, 401K contributions, vacation pay, training pay, SCOPE, etc. In this environment, where the pilots finally have some leverage, there's no reason we should settle.

As a VX pilot, there's one perk to the way things are done here that I would like to see put into writing in our new contract: pilot input on building pairings. For years, we've had a pilot work with scheduling to build more efficient and humane pairings. Even without a contract, VX management, realized it is essential that our pairings are productive. I'd guess that 75% of VX pilots commute and productive pairings make their lives easier and prevent sick calls. IMO, our schedules at VX are pretty awesome and I'd hate to see that get messed up. I bid about 60% on the captain side (60% from the top, 40% from the bottom) and I typically get 16 days off a month with around 82 hours. Even a bottom line holder gets at least 15 days off a month. In my eight years at VX, I don't think I ever did worse than 15 days off a month. Do you get that at Alaska? If you do, then disregard this post. However, the scuttlebutt on the line is that Alaska schedules are significantly less productive than VX schedules. I'm hoping that's just an ugly rumor.

We can argue all day about the merits of Pref-Bid vs line bidding, but efficient pairings are a no-brainer. High credit trips equal more days at home no matter the bidding system.

And, I don't care how we ensure high credit trips, pilot input to the scheduling department or via punitive duty-rigs, I just don't want to lose my 23 hour four day trips.