First off, ignore D'angelo- he's been banned from other sites, and the moderator of this site has "spoken" to him for his inflamitory remarks....
Truman might be right, but I doubt it. J Atkins is not so much trying to bust our union as he is simply trying to prevent it from coming to Skywest. He did not buy us to break us up (although at times it feels like it) but rather to have two different airlines so he could bid for contract work which Skywest could not.
Example?
1. Skywest could not get the LAX work because of conflict with the United contract.
2. ASA has a 15 year contract with Delta that it will recieve 80% of all DCI flying in ATL
3. Although the boneheads in our GO missed the Continental contract (not once but twice!) they promise they are actively pursuing other flying. Maybe some of the Mesaba (no offense to Mesaba pilots-your managment is screwing you sideways!) flying
4. Finally, most people agree that 70/90 seat flying is the future of the regionals, the idea of a 50 seat only ASA when we have a guarantee of 80% of the DCI flying in ATL just doesn't add up.
Did you ever wonder why they want to "give" us a pay raise on the 50 and paycut on the 70? because if the future is the larger 70/90 and a reduction (eventually) of the 50's it will be more advantageous for the company to give money where they know they won't have to spend it in the future, and save money where the growth segment of the industry is.
Truman, my guess is you are a fairly senior fo if you are on the 700 and you are frustraited (rightfully so) about the lack of movement and long upgrade times. For what it is worth, I'm a senior pilot (#313) and I speak with ALPA guys all the time and tell them that top end pay is great but we should get a contract done as soon as possible. 6 year F.O.s is just unfair.
There is suppose to be a telephone question call coming from the union where you will have your chance to tell the union where you hope their priorities lie.
I feel your pain.... it might get worse before it gets better, but I don't think we are going to be flying 3 bandits with the windows open anytime soon.
IMHO,
St