Originally Posted by benzoate

Unless I am mistaken I am substantially more senior than most of you on this board and the TA is designed for the middle to lower seniority levels. I can accept that because the goal is to better the airline and attract better pilots.

This TA is not at the bottom and not even close. A thorough inspection clearly points out we fall roughly in the middle in almost every definable category. On those that cannot be defined or are vague then the "market rate" term is debatable. We can't expect to be compared to DAL and UAL for every category because they are the highest paid but they don't have the "best" work rules or rules that benefit the Jetblue pilot. As an example, the ability to build and require a percentage of commutable trips is unheard of and something no one else has. I am not a commuter but that ability will greatly improve the lives of many pilots.

Am I going to be paid the same rates as a senior DAL pilot, NO, but then again we are not the size of DAL either. I can make that pay argument all day buts its not likely to succeed.

Next we should look at insurance. Not an easily definable section in the contract and definitely not something where there is an "industry standard". Jetblue insurance deductibles are overly high and the airline/union have chosen/lack the ability to do anything about it.

Lets also look at scope. The ability to completely limit Jetblues ability to start or have a regional do our flying is worth what to you? Delta, UAL and the rest are compensate extra for that. I would prefer not to ever have any of our flying done by a regional and we will have that ability.

High deductible, regional flying, commutable pairings...

Market rate is a very difficult thing to define but to make the statement that were at the bottom is dishonest and unreasonable. Lastly, we can only bargain for now. What does everyone else have now. We cannot bargain for Delta rates in 3 years because it doesn't work that way. Never has and never will. This TA is head and shoulders better than what we have now and, pay rates aside, there are many solid provisions in the contract. Could more sections be fixed if we vote NO? I believe they can and therefore will vote accordingly but to suggest the TA is a turd or anything else means your only knowledge of airline contracts is based on what you read on Bluepilots or here.