Originally Posted by
AllOva736
The issue I see with your logic ( unless I'm missing something ) is that legacies and spirit do the same thing. We both sell tickets for flights on OUR own aircraft so therefore we are not doing work that is contracted out to us. This is not the case for someone like Atlas vs FDX. Just like a legacy and Spirit, FDX is using their own equipment to move their own product while someone like atlas is a contractor for the government or places like amazon so they are trying to make a profit off of someone else trying to make a profit. low cost or not, companies who own their flying are not in the same conversation as operators who fly contracts for other companies. Contract companies bid for a piece of someone else's pie, we have our own pie.
Perhaps you should look at DoD contracts. The profit margin on this flying is huge! It usually offsets the lower margins of other ACMI flying. However, other ACMI flying is just that, no fuel prices or load factors to worry about. Atlas' revenue and profits are exceptional yet you are not going to see them making FEDEX rates. Yes, I get your point on Delta and Spirit doing the same thing but I don't necessarily agree on that point, thus my argument on the difference in compensation packages.
While paying ULCCs the same as Legacies might be viable on a balance sheet today, you're not factoring the long term viability and other work groups. It's just not part of the model on this end. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to argue management's point, rather I'm saying that realistic expectations should be just that....Realistic! With fuel prices being so low right now everyone is enjoying the ride. If and when that ends its a whole new ball game....yet again.
As I said, good luck and I hope your group gets a descent contract soon. If the ULCC model prevails in this industry then time will tell where labor will end up as compared to other groups within the industry. I think just think it's very unrealistic to think you're going to receive a 50-75% pay increase across the board in total compensation plus work rule increases. That would be some feat. If you succeed then I will be the first to congratulate and be impressed.