Originally Posted by
Ed Force One
It does matter. Even if it's a signing bonus that is the exact same dollar amount as 100% Retro, it still matters.
It's about setting a precedent. For all future negotiations for all Pilot Groups. It's about making 100% Retro industry standard.
If it's labeled as a "signing bonus," then the concept of signing bonuses continue to be industry standard. In the future, managements can offer whatever sub-standard bonuses they want, because that's the way it's always been done. Were NK pilots happy with their previous signing bonus? I wasn't here yet, but I get the impression that you weren't. Were all you ex-regional pilots happy with your signing bonus after a prolonged 5-8 year negotiation and whipsaw process?
If Retro becomes standard, then more pilot groups can demand it with less pushback from the company.
Why is this so hard to understand?
I agree with the concept of it being easier for pilot groups to ask for retro in the future if it becomes the norm. My current issue is the guys who have been working back door contractually illegal deals getting another huge paycheck after they have been screwing the rest of us for months. We have no ability to trade trips because they get released from reserve days to get MUP and JA. Line holders can't get a JA because they won't release us from trips anymore. So these guys and gals bid reserve, call scheduling because they are not allowed to be on the standing avail list, and screw up the reserve grid for all of us to drop or trade any trips. And they get a huge check? That isn't right.