Trans States Holdings created the GoJet certificate because the TSA certificate was limited to fifty seat flying by APA scope. TSH was prepared to negotiate with TSA pilots to fly the aircraft on the new certificate, under one seniority list; just like RAH. Several attempts were made to communicate with TSA pilots concerning this issue. The first letter was issued in June of 2004 to communicate management’s intent to create another certificate (necessary to fly larger aircraft). The second letter was issued later that year which requested ALPA to poll and submit their offer for seventy seat pay-scales so that management could plan labor costs for future contract bidding. Unfortunately, TSA MEC decided to campaign against the creation of a separate certificate rather than negotiate new pay-scales. Trans States Holdings continued with the certification process. When it came time for an initial cadre of pilots, a third letter was issued to offer the flying to TSA pilots who could apply and bring longevity with them. Only after this offer still didn’t satisfy their staffing requirements did GoJet start hiring off the street.

GoJet was created for the same reason that RAH operates three separate certificates. The difference was that their pilots had a competent negotiating committee and was able to secure the flying. GoJet’s pay scales are inline with other seventy seat operators so it’s not a valid argument to suggest that Trans States Holdings was unwilling to negotiate. I suppose that if you think DM’s leadership was competent then we don’t have much to talk about.

Under TSA’s historically lethargic leadership, they: haven’t voted on the contract they work under since 1994; their current CBA was implemented in 2000 by their MEC without pilot ratification; the contract was extended by DM in 2003, again without pilot ratification; meanwhile, DM has left for a non-union carrier. Maybe they’ll be able to teach him how to land without the parking brake on, or maybe that’s just common sense.

I don’t suspect this post will change the minds of many. I’m quite certain that it makes most of those on this forum feel better to see the TSA pilots as a heroic group of humanitarians, selflessly standing up for the betterment of our society. That’s fine. I hope though that some of you will start asking questions rather than regurgitating the rhetoric spilled by those who were hurt. It’s amazing how much emotion the grapevine is still able to stir despite how consistently it’s wrong.

C’est la vie!