In my humble opinion, 1.25x (for +82 hrs and VJA) and 1.5x for JA are all benefits that we fought for in our current contract. It penalizes the company for poor planning and rewards the pilot on a COMPLETELY volunteer basis. It is a work rule benefit to pilots and takes money (legally) out of Indigo's pocket.

With all the incentivized trips out there, some willing pilots have been getting "future" contract payrates long before we sign the actual contract. I have seen effective pay rates in the $800+ per hour range for some trips. Its a nice alternative - if you choose - until we have a new contract. AND it's a great big F.U. to Indigo and their unwillingness or inability to properly staff this airline. Oh yeah, and it keeps us looking like the super cooperative work group to the NMB which is kind of the whole idea (for now...) and avoids that TRO.

If you think that this is somehow "selfish and self serving" (isn't that redundant?) then I respectfully disagree.

Kinda like Henry Hill said in Goodfellas... "Dont wanna hire enough pilots?
F.U. Pay me."
"CAN'T hire enough pilots because you pay crappy wages...
F.U. Pay me."
"Wanna build crappy trips that always get dropped into open time...
F.U. Pay me."