Actually, the idea is to get better work rules with the pay. The company wants to advertise better pay rates, having those lower than competitors is bad for recruiting.

However, our real need is in the work rules. Soft pay, duty rigs, min day pay, reserve rules, pay protection, etc. Those are the things that will actually put more money in our pockets and improve QOL. But the new guys showing up to class don't know what those things mean.

Just changing the hourly rate doesn't cost the company that much. Paying guys 4 hours for every lost day and similar work rules at other regionals would be a huge win for this pilot group. I will be disappointed if we only get a simple pay raise.