Originally Posted by
Blackhawk
Heck, it isn't about line bidding versus PBS. We had line bidding and, while it's been a few years, I don't remember anything like this. I'm sure the junior pilots just lap it up as it gives them a chance to turn the tables on senior pilots. But that's not how seniority is supposed to work. Senior pilots have paid their dues and should be rewarded by having a higher priority in such issues.
Senior pilot: Life is good.
Mid seniority pilot: Thank god for the ILIW.
Junior pilot: Can't wait to be a lineholder.
I've been a junior lineholder the entire 12 years I've been a lineholder. I consider myself lucky compared to others struggling with reserve. If we didn't have the ILIW and SLIW during that time, I would be tens of thousands of dollars poorer and have worked countless trips that I didn't want. I am very thankful that the negotiators we've had over the years during and since contract 04 had the foresight to make something exceptional out of our line bidding process. With trip dropping because of vacations, many of us less senior lineholders have been able to live a much better life because of the ILIW and SLIW.
With our line bidding process (Blackhawk), I invite you to explain to us how those trips dropped because of vacation touch would be incorporated into a line award. If the issue is that you feel your seniority is abrogated because of this process, why don't you explain that to all of the junior lineholders who depend on the ILIW and SLIW to make our lives better. I'm sure you'll get a warm reception at how your seniority rewards are more important than their QOL.
Sorry for the rant but I'm a little tired of hearing about how a senior pilot feels butt hurt over a perceived slight because of what a junior pilot is able to do. BTW, those complaints are almost exclusively made by pilots outside of our pilot group, from my experience over the last 17+ years. Our system has worked well for everyone on property since contract 04. Is the ILIW a perfect solution? No, but the best we could negotiate at the time. That first 30 seconds is a ***** sometimes! It is what it is. Maybe we'll see some improvements on the next contract.