Originally Posted by
41DS
Why not just take the date of hire and go from there? That seems like the most fair way to merge. Is there something I am missing here?
Yes, you are missing out on human nature. Specifically greed.
The Nicolau award keeps everyone effectively in the same relative position they had prior to the merger with the exception of 500+ AAA pilots that were moved to the top of the combined list. A senior 737 captain is still a senior 737 captain. A junior A320 first officer is still a junior A320 first officer. Had the award gone with the AAA DOH/LOS plan, junior furloughed pilots at AAA would suddenly become senior to line holding captains at AWA.
That sounds so good when somebody who doesn't have a clue about the demographics of the pilot group reads it. It also doesn't take into account the fences that the AAA plan had.
If the AWA plan had included a component where a specific pilot maintained his relative position based on attrition at his previous expectation then it would have been fair.
DOH or LOS with fences were the best answer. I've said that here before and I'll say it again. DOH is truly the only fair way to integrate lists. Fences keep either side from getting a windfall.
TP