Originally Posted by
mainlineAF
People really do not get how far behind we are. It's not whining or complaining, it's trying to educate people. Then people like slice and uninformed new hires chime in saying it's not that bad and spread false info. Newsflash: it is that bad. The only two things we have going for us are decent hourly rates and retirements.
If all 3 pilot groups don't come together and realize we're on the same team then we're done. We will continuously lag all the other majors. APA needs to start a serious educational campaign on our shortcomings to get the membership engaged. If those 2 things don't happen you better get comfortable being in last place.
As to the former, I was thouroughly unimpressed with the the President during the CLT/PHL townhall last week. It struck me that he really doesn't understand the nuances of LUS guy's complaints, it goes over his head. The reserve vacation question was explained 3 times! He and one other LAA guy just didn't understand. He made an excuse for the A3 DH as well. I was pretty disappointed.
As to the latter, I do have some hope. You've got 5,000 ****ed off LUS guys, 1400 new hires with probably 2,500 more by 2020, plus lots of ****ed off mid to jr LAA guys as well. We will lose about 1500 senior pilots by then as well. I think we can come together.
We really need to resist early openers in 2019, and wait for UAL and DAL to get new contracts, (or at least be negotiating). Worst thing would be for us to sign first.