Originally Posted by
sailingfun
We complained about EWR a long time ago. The company agreed and dropped it as a co terminal. Huge amounts of angst and screaming from the NJ and PA pilots. The company agreed to restart originating rotations in EWR. It went much like 5 day trips. We got rid of them after the merger but pilots wanted them back. Be careful what you wish for!
Oh I'm sure. The EWR die hards are extremely vocal. On one NB category several years P.O. (pre-Optimizer) EWR trips went from almost zero to a ton one bid period. When reps were called to ask why, they said "we hear you loud and clear, 100% of NYC pilots demand EWR trips!" So a grassroots movement was initiated to call reps and tell them that that 100% was 5% of the base and the overwhelming vast majority didn't want them. A couple months later they were drastically reduced.
I get that there are pilots who live an easier drive to EWR than JFK or LGA. There are pilots who live an easier drive to BHM, CHA, CSG and GSP than to ATL. Maybe they should also be "co-terminals" too. Those who chose to be junior will just have to pay their dues.
I don't have anything against EWR as a base if the flying warrants it. But it either needs to be its own base or at least have pay, credit and "on the clock" duty time ground transportation provided for the 95% that don't live there.