Originally Posted by
DC8DRIVER
The only real negative of having new hires here is that they arrive and find that the first year pay is so low (despite our warnings) that they have to pick up open time just to make ends meet. This has the effect of weakening our contract because management sees that pilots are content to work 20 or 25 days a month and this becomes the new baseline that they start from during contract negotiations. They'll say: "well, it seems that pilots prefer to work a higher average of days per month than you are currently contractually obligated to work, so lets make our minimum days at work 18 or 20 days a month". .
Not detracting from your overall points, but if in negotiations the union simply rebuts with “how many 3+ year pilots are picking up extra time?” that would speak for itself. The company would be forced to concede that it is indeed low pay that is making guys pick up flying. And coupled with attrition I think a good case is made.