Originally Posted by
skywatch
I cannot help myself, but here goes, as I am not ready to drink the koolaid yet...
Seems like neither side would budge...
Yep. I agree, made the lives of ASA, Eagle, Republic and Skywest better. All those carriers have been growing for the last 6 years, bidding on business and winning it where Comair could not because of the higher costs they had. Heck, Skywest and ASA and Republic even got some of Comair's flying. So Comair, at the time of that contract the largest regional, shrinks. Less Captains, slower upgrades. In the end, they give it all back in bankruptcy. Big Win.
But hey, if being the pilot is the team sport you guys want it to be, why get ALPA to take a stand and not underbid other carriers for business? Seems to me, being a pilot is not the team sport some would like it to be. In the end, you have to make decisions based on what is good for ME AND MY FAMILY. OK, flame away.
I see what you are trying to say, but it is horribly near sighted. The idea that the comair efforts only made things better because they had "higher labor cost" is just silly. After the contract was signed, ASA managment came to the pilots and said they would sign a Comair contract with us tomorrow. This is a fact; please ask a senior ASA pilot if it is true.
There is traditionally a game of one upmanship with contracts. It happens at the mainline (in 99 Delta went for United +10%) and at the regionals.
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU ONLY PROSPERED BECAUSE YOU WERE CHEAPER then you have drank the kool aid and believe the only future is in selling yourself short.
What happens if you don't make it to a legacy before the next down cycle? You'll be at Skywest for the next ten years. How do I know? it is the story of so many friends of mine here at ASA and quite frankly, me as well.
I beg you to think past your short term, personal goals. I could call you selfish and back that up, but that is not the point. I've learned through a decade of experience what is best and hope that you can learn from the wisdom of others who have been down the path that you embark.
Sincerely,
Stick