The B6 chief pilots get performance based bonuses, the structure of which is very similar to Alaska pilots profit sharing/bonus plan. It’s basically equal to a profit sharing check at all other airlines, except I believe has a minimum pay out, similar to Alaska’s, even if the company doesn’t make a profit. So I’d have to see how exactly Alaska’s is written, but I’d almost prefer something that has a guaranteed pay out. Regardless of whether it’s contractual or not at alaska, they still get it every year, and therefore needs to be compared in total comp when using them as a comparison. It can’t be dismissed simply because it’s non contractual. And in the strategy going forward, the MEC/NC ought to compare their historic payout to their profit, apply the old no Cliff formula B6 pilots once had, run some numbers, and figure out if it’s a potentially viable plan.

At the end of the day it’s a tool to get the workers to have skin in the game and therefore row in the same direction. How it’s achieved (triggers), and how it pays out under different scenarios is what’s important and can be negotiated. It can in fact pay out even with poor financial performance. Just ask your base chief what his 2022 performance bonus was if you’re curious how much it can be worth even when your company doesn’t turn a profit for the year (there was a moratorium on them during covid but I believe that’s lifted now).