Originally Posted by
ShyGuy
Not sure I see the point of this post. The letter from the original post clearly states:
" Just wanted to give our Pilot Group an update on the hiring practices, as a few things have changed in the past couple of months. Alaska is in the driver’s seat in regards to hiring right now. Even though many of the carriers are starting to call back furloughed pilots, it is apparent that many will remain off those carriers’ active rolls for a while. Until they have had a chance to recall these pilots, we, along with FedEx and Southwest seem to be the major players in the hiring game right now. This gives us the ability to actively search out the best, most qualified, and interested pilots who show the desire to make Alaska Airlines their future. We, along with the other carriers, have all raised the standards by which a candidate is considered. "
Those are just facts. It was an entirely different landscape back then versus today. Why is this relevant today? Everyone knows it isn't 2006.
The point of the post is that having stumbled upon that old post, given the historical context, the light bulb came on for me as to how AS might view contract negotiations. They have always seen themselves in the driver's seat, and despite changing circumstances over the years, that mindset seems to persist.
It is one where pilots hired by AS should consider themselves extremely lucky to be admitted to this exclusive club, and once admitted, the idea of demanding an industry standard compensation package is seen as craven, ungrateful, and a passing of one's place.