Originally Posted by
Auburn190Flyer
What is it with all of you conspiracy theorists? I find it laughable that you would even type something like this! Just because a pilot feels we are better served with our current system should not indict them as a "management-lackey", "blue juicer", or "company man". I give the band of blue a lot of credit for posting their names for all to see rather than resort to the below-the-belt anonymous comments of those on this board and bluepilots.com.
I find it hard to believe that the company has anything to do with their campaign. I was just chatting with a guy involved with the band of blue, and he said he has never even been to Forest Hills or met Dave Barger! So much for the theory that this is a front for a company sponsored union-busting campaign. It is not that tough to create a website and print a few bag tags.
The continuous name calling and anger-driven rhetoric about these guys from the pro-union muckrakers has finally made me realize that we will be much better off keeping our current system intact. I do not want the radicals representing my needs and wants at a negotiating table. That would get us nowhere fast.
Don't get me wrong, JetBlue management definitely needs to step up to the plate and implement the necessary changes to appease a frustrated pilot group, but I still do not see how bringing the JBPA on board will get me better pay, benefits and healthcare. These are great JBPA campaign promises, but I have a hard time believing that we will see anything better than we have in place today just because we have a union representing us. I fear the JBPA leaders are in way over their heads, and though their passion and drive are admirable, I think their goal of making this a replica of SWAPA is a pipe dream. Herb bought into the SWA pilots' organizing campaign, but without Dave's support, this will not lead to a collaborative relationship that SWA has enjoyed over the years.
Make an informed decision, but please take the anger and emotion out of the equation.
Just wondering, are you on the 190, ya know the one with the industry leading wages? The one where the company pays a 4 year F.O. 58 dollars an hour? The one that your management friends refuse to pay a reputable rate? If you expect management to make everything ok then go ahead and vote the status quo. If you want some chance or at least a chance of increasing your fellow pilots quality of life and pay then vote for one voice, the JBPA voice.
There is no guarantee with a union and we all know that, but would you rather have some type of representation from guys you fly with or would you prefer to have your representation from management? Why do you think we get emails from the company stating we are better off with no union? Its because they dont want things to change. THEY are happy. They want all the power, is it that hard to see? If we have a union then management loses some control over us even if its psychological. Right now we have the fox guarding the hen house and you want that to continue? For 9 years this company has made promises, promises and more promises. After much consideratiion we sit here 9 years later with some of the lowest wages, benefits and retirement packages in the industry. Are you this naive? Seriously, take some pride in yourself and if you can't do that then have some pride for the guy sitting next to you and stop embarrassing our profession.