I lurk all over the forums and consider myself pretty pragmatic and educated on the process.
I can't judge the deal yet, as I only have bullet points. From what I have seen, though, it is pretty amazing considering where we were two months ago.
SWAPA has worked hard to make this happen. We elected the right guy at the right time and he built amazing unity where we had none. I remember when Casey was appointed to the NC and guys were all over the union forum complaining about it. Where are the complainers now?
Unfortunately, SWAPA is full of guys who won't even change their tie in order to show unity. Those same guys won't go to the mat when we need to. I am not talking about a strike either, I am talking about when the company starts taking hostages and things get tense, those same guys will be picking up open time and yucking it up with the chief pilots in the office. What I am saying here is that we have gone about as far as we can go as a union and Jon knows it. Notice there was no strike vote. Think that was on accident? For crissake, we had guys picking up open time during the pickets, including our last union president.
I am pretty certain that the relationship between this management team and this pilot group is forever damaged. There won't be any company apologists back in union office.
As far as the AIP goes, I suggest that everyone take a more holistic look. Does it have everything? Nope. We are in federal mediation, though. I went over the high points with a delta crew that I jumpseated on the other day. They were pretty amazed at some of the work rules that we have combined with the pay and retirement in the AIP. I told them the good and the bad to be sure, but our bad isn't nearly as bad as what they have been dealing with post BK.