Originally Posted by
Itsajob
The 550 isn’t to spite the pilots, it is because scope is working and they are left with few options. I find the 550 reassuring. If they are investing in something like that, they must realize that the MEC is serious about protecting scope and isn’t going to cave. We like to complain that we don’t have a contract, yet they keep spending money. Keep in mind that they are spending money on things that they think are needed or that will improve our bottom line. Paying us more money without a perceived net gain on their side doesn’t fall into that category. It isn’t spite, it’s business. They’re going to spend money on paint, uniforms, image improvements, or other aspects of the operation regardless of the state of a particular labor group’s contract negotiations. People may not like that attitude, but I’m willing to wait for the right contract and not get upset about what is happening on the sidelines.
I wish I shared your altruism. We agree that the choke is working. But we diverge on the motivation behind the 550. Although, it offers an alternative to adding premium seats in niche markets, why not add them via a SNB or bringing the 175 in-house and exploiting its true potential? Delta has. And I know the counter argument is “well their WB fleet pales in comparison to our”, which is true. But why can’t we have both?
All reiterate; the company seems to have enough money to spend on:
New RJ’s
Mana Air
Billions in buybacks
Hundreds of million to loan to Avianca
And so on ......
Yet they are seeking concessions.
I too will wait for the right contract, but that doesn’t mean I will burry my head in the sand to what is transpiring and fall for the ah shucks routine.
P.S. I am truly happy we have a management that wants to fight back for market share.