I share similar sentiments with many of you. TOS Alaska captains just received a 16% pay raise (approx. 33% for VX captains) but I am more upset now than when Kasher was awarded. I had to second guess and ask myself if I'm crazy for feeling this way. For the past few days, I've been trying to shake it off but to no avail.
There's never an end here at Alaskasworld! We continue to get kicked in the nut sack and the koolaid chuggers still keep on truckin'! I had hoped that Uncle Sam's boys would see through the company's spin and do the right thing. How naive of me to have such hope! Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. This society is absolutely rotten to the core!
I have now completely removed myself from this job. There was a faint glimpse of hope for this dysfunctional organization even after Kasher but now, they've lost me 100%. I have accepted the fact that the company deems my worth to be 6-10% below market value (and falling) and that they expect me to perform at such level. Ask and you shall receive. No one goes shopping for a Rolex at Walmart, except our management. Effective immediately, I will give them exactly what they've asked of me - 5th/6th best effort. I will be a good little soldier and follow the orders of my employer.
I'm gearing up for 2020. I hope the rest of this pilot group is doing the same. We will have to fight tooth and nail in a steep uphill battle. I've never voluntarily offered career advice to anyone but here's my 2 cents. If you are looking for a job, Alaska Airlines should be dead last on your list even if you have half a brain. Alaska is a "legacy" only by definition but it's really operated like a LCC and treats their front line employees like dirt. They may advertise the highest first year pay and 2-5 year pay is somewhat decent but the rest of the pay scale is below HAL. That's just pay. Our pairing and lines are the worst I've seen since my time here and the inability to trade trips (yes, INABILITY) will further negatively impact your QOL. Most of the trips are not commutable so expect to spend extra time away from your loved ones while flying 3 day trips worth 11-12 hours of credit/pay. Kasher completely gutted our work rules and it's never been the same. And let's not forget the fact that we have ZERO scope. If you want to work for a penny pinching company who will flat out tell you that you are worth less than your peers and kick you in the nut sack with a smiley face, then you've found your stepping stone airline job. Heck, you'll at least get a type rating out of it, right? There's your total compensation in a nutshell. Just remember, beatings will continue until morale improves. This is about the extent of leadership skills of this management teem comprised of bean counting zombies.
For the first time in my career, I wish I had left for greener pastures when I had the chance after Kasher - missed golden opportunity for sure. I feel so much better that I've come to grips with reality. However, to think that I've given my best effort to this operation makes me sick to my stomach. It'll take some effort to pull back my performance 5-6% but I'm looking forward to how much more relaxed I will feel when I can fulfill the company's expectations of me.