Originally Posted by
bored
Regarding RR... I remember it being used for saab guys right after 9/11 because we were all of a sudden over staffed. It hadn't been used since, because we were chronically understaffed. And now, since we're properly staffed, they use it. I hate doing just like you, but it's there. Just because it hadn't been used very often in the past, doesn't mean they can't use it when staffing permits. Sorry man, but I don't buy the people would have taken different paths bit, just because RR wasn't used in the past. Again, it was in the contract, black and white. That's something we'll never get rid of. If anything, perhaps we can just improve the language. It's not something worth fighting for... I'd much rather expend negotiating capital on better things like FO pay, better hotel language etc...
Let's hope that what's going on now, is just a blip on the radar screen and a bump in the road. After getting trashed for 6 years, I'm skeptical, but will remain optimistic. I'm just not convinced our good days are over.
That's fine we all have our priorities. I want to see the end of RR, better perdiem, leg guarantee instead of trip guarantee, 12 days off in 31 day months, straight reserves paid as build ups are now since buildup will go away with PBS (3.75 per day instead of 0), 100% pay on deadheads, the end of the blended fo pay, holiday pay, ect. None of us get everything we want. No big deal. As for taking different paths, I would (and a few others I have specifically talked to) have not left the Saab had I known how things were going to play out. But because of my seatlock, I can't go back for about a year. If things do not change in that time I will go back first chance.
I too think there is likely something else good in the pipeline for us short term, but I see a light further down the tracks at around 2011-2012. Unfortunatly that light is the locomotive of the amendable time of the contract coupled to the end of the Saab leases. And another reason why the company wanted the senior pilots as captain on the 900s. Remember the cluster of removing the Avros (where most of the senior pilots were) and the multiple training events involved? With all the junior captains on a plane that goes away it's 1 event to train those guys to 900 fo then furlough all the original fo's. With many senior guys on the Saab it creates the displacement cascade when they then are forced to the jet captains causing the more junoir captains to the right seat causing 2 initial courses...