Originally Posted by EskimoJoe

Cool. I'm 24 years with 22 in ALPA. I was also at another Major before 9-11 and Got furloughed. The contract back then was also better than the current Alaska one (work rules for sure, money about the same adjusted for inflation) but that's apples and oranges. Why? Because after 9-11 that awesome contract was obliterated...completely obliterated. In the post 9-11 world, No airline in America had a contract comparable to Alaska's. That's not because it was so great, it's because the entire industry fell in a cascading, calving collapse around it. BTW, that awesome pre-9-11 contract is STILL not back at said Legacy. It's lost for the foreseeable future. In my years at Alaska, we have taken a strike vote. I've done informational Picketing here as well. Surely, after 30 years in the industry, you must know what a worthless, meaningless gesture that is.



When was the last strike of a Legacy Carrier? Remember American in 1998 and their sick out? That cost the APA every last penny in their coffers. Sure, Spirit went on strike for about 3 days or whatever it was but they don't really count. Do you really think Alaska Airlines pilots will EVER be allowed to strike? We are the only game in town for much of the entire state. A state, BTW, that is so geographically large, if over-laid on the lower 48, it would stretch from Seattle to Jacksonville Florida. A Strike at Alaska will NEVER happen and we all know it...therefore, a "strike vote" is a complete joke. I'm willing to fight for fair contract, we all are, but let's be real. This management DOES NOT NEGOTIATE. They don't have to. They are uniquely positioned to give us the finger for years with no real legal consequences. Is that a defeatist attitude or simple reality? I'd say the latter.



OTOH, Given your 3 decades in aviation, I'd hope, by now, you'd be able to appreciate some positive aspects at Alaska. Sure, we aren't Delta. However, I'm going to clear 300k of cash compensation this year very easily. Full benefits, an A plan, a DC plan maxed to Federal "all sources" Limits, 30+ days vacation...etc. Good luck finding a comparable job outside of aviation. You were furloughed, were you offered any jobs with a total compensation package like that? I sure as hell wasn't. I set the brake, go home, and forget all about the Eskimo...Life isn't so bad...and when my schedule becomes too challenging and fatiguing, I address it. Problem solved. That's the system management seems to want. fine. I really do have better sh*t to do than worry about work/union issues all the time and where the proverbial grass may be (temporarily)greener. So I don't. I'm a clock punching line puke with no ambitions beyond that.