Originally Posted by
cbire880
You have been in negotiations for 5 years. Unfortunately, management has indefinate patience with these matters since you have to just keep working.
I don't know the details of the current ASA contract with respect to work rules(which we all know make a huge difference in total compentation). Based on their pay scale alone, it appears that ASA is one of the better paid regionals after the first year. What concerns me more is the inability of airlines to recruit quality new hires due to the brutal cost of entry into this career. I have the same concern at my company. We really are scrapping the bottom of the barrel. The question is at which point will we start to lose contracts because of our inability to properly staff?
Its all a big shell game in the end, but the "pay raise for us all" mentality really worries me when it comes to negotiation. Again, there is a big difference between making under $20k a year and those making $60k and up. The difference being that you can support a family and adequately protect yourself financially on the latter.
I firmly believe that by recruiting higher quality pilots who may be more inclined to see their regional as slightly more than a stepping stone (you never know when you will get stuck), the entire pilot group will benefit from more active involvement and a sense of ownership in their airline. The standard SJS sufferer just wants to fly the shiny jet and will do anything for it. Those types do nothing to help with contract negotiations.
Maybe I'm wrong and that's not the best approach, but I'm willing to debate it civilly with anyone who's interested.
Edit: Wow that was a long one!
you state that Asa is one of the best paid regional: where do you get your facts? It is actually one of the lowest. Now look at duty rigs and average flown hours at regionals before you answer my question.
So you think that by raising only first year rates by a few dollars, will attract quality people. What happens to the quality people when their first year is over?
You think we will loose contract because airline cannot staff. You are wrong again, because pilot shortage = pay raise and better bargaining power.
I would rather have you making 60K in your first year if it was possible.
But airlines have to raise the bar at all levels if you want to have a future in this industry.
You will get your raise in your first year and they will discard you after a few years. We are UNION and we fight for all.
I totally agree that we should attract the best pilots. But this is going to happen with a consistent well thought contract that benefits all pilots across the board, not with only a little raise for new hires.
I know where you come from and I understand your frustration. I was there myself. You have got the choice, If ASA first year pay doesn't satisfy you, then go elsewhere.
Propjet.