Interesting thread. As we get ready to head into our own contract negotiations, I throw out a few points for consideration.

1) You have to get an approximately 3% pay RAISE each year just to keep your buying power the same. This TA is a pay CUT for all pilots at MAG.

2) We (labor) are headed into a much more labor friendly Administration, and by extension, NMB. The tables are finally turning.

3) What are your pilot labor costs as a percentage of overall costs at MAG? 6%? A decent raise will NOT be responsible for the failure of your company should it eventually come to that.

4) Looks like some good progress has been made for QOL issues. Beware of PBS. We got it here at United and without specific pilot controls, it can be a huge detriment.

5) It's time that WE (the collective WE, as a profession) took back some of what has been stolen from us these last 7 years. It's been a horrific run, and we have been forced to "negotiate" under some of the worst imaginable labor conditions. I'm a firm believer that we ALL bear the responsibility of returning at least some professional pride to our sorely battered profession. I know that in my case (UAL), it's time for a substantial improvement in pay and QOL. If that is not forthcoming in our next TA, then I won't vote for it. If that means a strike is imminent, I will march in it, and if that means we fade from existence, I will walk away with my head held high (and NO, I'm not independently wealthy, I would be ruined financially). At some point we all need to say enough is enough, because without that line in the sand, managements around the country will just use all the old tricks (fear, Ch 11, whipsaw) to see just how cheap we can be. I've had enough. My time and QOL is worth much more than I am presently receiving. It is time for a change.

This is your chance, MAG. It's time to not just be content with "industry standard" anymore. It's time for all of us to raise the bar a little when we get our chance.

Looking forward to our Contract 2009. Good luck to you all