Originally Posted by
EskimoJoe
Right. Firstly, I have never voted YES on a contract here. Secondly, I'm a very Jr Captain and was an FO during the 2009 contract vote...again, I voted No. When the top quarter of the list is gone, I'm happy to inform you I'll still be here for quite a while. The FO's are "screwed" (at least in your mind) because of Alaska Management and their out weighed influence in Arbitration. The Slope is what it is because Management wants it that way and, as per usual in arbitration, they got what they wanted. Also, I commute. I've never picked up a premium trip or VSA'd in my life. It's too much of a hassle even when appropriate to do so.
Perhaps you'd be better served if you set aside your Millennial angst and sense of entitlement and focused on the reality of the situation. Your reactions certainly sounds as if it's fueled by your own self interests...which in your mind I guess you're entitled to do but no one else? What exactly do you propose this pilot group do to achieve our collective goals in 2020? Before you answer, I suggest you read up on the Railway Labor Act before you fly into the predictable, knee jerk, chest pounding tirade of regurgitated, unobtainable wishes that guys like you always espouse in these situations. The RLA is very real and you need to wrap your mind around what it actually means.
You were probably in the 4th grade in 1998, but look up what happened at American Airlines and the APA during their sick out. Is that your idea of a successful outcome? You are an employee. You get a W2. You have a union, and a contract. You and I will never run this airline. Frankly, I don't want to. I want the airline to be profitable because I've experienced what life looks like when your employer is bleeding money uncontrollably. Think unemployment check. When the union asks us to step up and help engage the company in 2020, I'll be there. I always am. That's when it matters. Until then, I set the brake, go home, rejoin my real life and forget all about the Eskimo. You can scream at the ocean all you want. I can't hear you anyway.
So I totally agree with the principle of not killin the golden goose. But with that in mind couple of genuine questions:
Since it seems to be the position that the ultimate form of legal relief is off the table, and the only contractual changes are out of the charity of managements heart, (because ultimately negotiations is just whistlin past the graveyard).
How do you explain the gains made by Delta, United, American, JetBlue etc on scope, work rules and pay?
I asked before but nobody has answered. If the only threat in negotiations is an arbitrator not ruling in their favor, (which is no threat at all) what else is left? Image? The “happy family” facade? BM has already said he’s willing to sacrifice that.... so what’s left if anything?