Originally Posted by
CactusCrew
This is probably a large part of their rational for the extension. Continue to operate at min staffing levels, kick the can down the road a few more years with band-aids to the operation. Problem is, even with the monetary incentives, we will still have the same number of pilots that are simply "one bad duty day" away from an early retirement. That hasn't changed, they are hoping the $$$ is enough to keep retirements closer to mandatory numbers. It probably will work as they hope, $$$ tends to solve a lot of problems around here.
Its still a no-brainer to vote YES on the TA extension. IPA members have nothing to lose on this one.
My personal opinion is that the retirement increase will not keep guys who already planned to leave early from doing so. The increase would have needed to be on the order of $200/year increase to the multiplier for captains. The agreement enables the company to trumpet labor peace to Wall Street and to focus hard on the Teamsters who may be a more difficult this next round due to the dissatisfaction many in their ranks felt over their last contract. All that said, we would be foolish not to give this a resounding yes vote. Especially with the world economy looking squishy.