[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']TSA Pilots’ Plight
[/FONT][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']TSA pilots remain focused on trying to resolve the GoJet issue in a manner that concedes GoJet’s existence, but rights the injustice of the past while providing future stability and job security for Trans States pilots’ and families. GoJet was born off the labor and sacrifice8 of Trans States pilots. The very existence of GoJet Airlines serves as a constant reminder of the disloyalty Trans States Airlines and Trans States Holdings have for its labor force. The TSA pilot group has endured a tiring and relentless barrage of attacks through the years, yet this pilot group remained loyal to the industry by not accepting substandard wages on larger regional jet aircraft nor did they accept disloyalty as defeat. Trans States pilots continue to build on their own unity and resolve that an improved contract without adequate job protections will ultimately place TSA pilots in the unemployment line or be severely whipsawed by TSA management. It is likely that our last and best chance to obtain acceptable job security is in our current Section 6 negotiations. The likelihood of having enough leverage in the future – once GoJet reaches a self-sustainable size – to address these important issues is highly unlikely. The window of opportunity is quickly closing. TSA pilots are battered and weathered, but remain focused on this one very important issue. TSA pilots continue to prepare for what will likely be a game of brinksmanship, but our future livelihood is no game.[/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Trans States Holdings, Trans States Airlines and GoJet Connections
[/FONT][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Even though ALPA lost the single carrier petition, many of the same members of management clearly participate in both companies’ affairs. The one they neatly refrain from being overt about is labor relations. Many employees labeled Holding company employees wear two hats at all times: One for GoJet and one for TSA, when it’s convenient. Most of GoJet services are contracted out to Trans States Airlines. Many members of the training department at Trans States have been required to teach GoJet indoctrination class. According to TSA management, these employees are being subcontracted at fair market values. In addition, GoJet utilizes Trans States Airlines maintenance to support their maintenance operations. Again, TSA maintenance is merely being contracted out. GoJet is presently seeking to have Trans States Airlines be the sole contract maintenance provider to GoJet. TSH continues to perpetuate the illusion of separate companies, but too many faces work at both. They may legally be deemed separate entities, but most TSA pilots know the real story.[/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Life at GoJet9
[/FONT][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']In late 2007, some pilots at GoJet with whom the TSA MEC had contact expressed their discontent with IBT 618. They claimed that the Teamsters did nothing for them and only seemed to collect dues with little to no representation. Those individuals sought help and advice from the TSA MEC and expressed their desire to change representation either to IBT 747 or ALPA. They assured the TSA MEC that the honeymoon was over and that the ex-TSA guys were no longer in power as IBT representatives. When the TSA MEC came out publicly to support some of these pilots in an effort to show our willingness to work with them instead of against them, GoJet management went on a headhunting campaign, a tactic previously and unsuccessfully deployed on the TSA property as well. Those GoJet pilots who sought to correct an injustice while still protecting their memberships rights were harassed by the ex-TSA pilots working at GoJet. The ex-TSA pilots claimed these pilots sold them out and were conspiring to hurt all GoJet pilots. The GoJet membership, suppressed by management for years, did nothing as these outspoken GoJet pilots were maligned. One resigned (coerced) and the other was terminated. This led some ex-TSA pilots being elected back into power as shop stewards cutting off all communications as well as any chance to see a change in representation at that property.[/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']IBT 618 was never meant to represent airline pilots. Pilot representation has been mainly reserved for IBT 747, which is a major part of the IBT airline division. Local 618 lacks any airline experience and has only represented the TSA flight attendants during previous years. Based on the former GoJet representative accounts and other GoJet pilots, previously and currently employed, GoJet pilots lack the backbone of a good bargaining agent. IBT 618 also appears to be too closely connected with TSA management, which is why TSA management sought them out during GoJet’s inception in order to prevent ALPA or a stronger union from coming on to the property. Its seems fairly clear that one should not expect very meaningful, if any, representation from IBT 618 at GoJet especially since the ex-TSA pilots are now running the local show. IBT 618 has shown much more loyalty to management over the years, not to pilots.[/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Several pilots have characterized life at GoJet as harsh and intimidating. Check airmen given a lot of power use that power to control the pilot group through fear and intimidation. Many pilots end up with FAA Letters of Investigations (LOIs) because pilots are expected to do whatever it takes to get a flight out on time. Pilots are terminated because they stand up to management or get noticed too much. Certainly, the TSA MEC cannot purport that all pilots at GoJet feel this way, but several have shared similar accounts. Most GoJet pilots seem to keep their heads down, look the other way and hope they get to move on with a clean record to another airline when hiring improves. These heavy-handed management tactics only serve to suppress the pilot group and influence them to conform or else. Stick your head up out of the weeds too far and you might get shot![/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Conclusions
[/FONT][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']The outcome for TSA pilots is bleak unless adequate job security protections can be negotiated. TSA pilots are presently operating 50-seat aircraft without any prospect for future growth in larger regional jet aircraft. Forecasts show that regional 50-seat aircraft will continue to lose market share to larger jet aircraft in future years. These forecasts can accelerate especially if fuel prices hit the highs they did in the summer of 2008, which culminated with a dramatic capacity reductions in 50-seat and less aircraft. With operating revenues favoring Trans States Airlines 3 to 1, looming self help at the end of a cooling-off period is our biggest leverage to force this issue to the table. That, combined with UAL’s position as GoJet’s and TSA’s largest codeshare partner and no opportunity to diversify may also equate to some leverage to address our job security concerns. [/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Clearly, time is not on the side of TSA pilots, and GoJet’s continued growth and the indifference and support by pilots throughout this industry only serve to accelerate the demise of Trans States Airlines and the TSA pilots. This situations can resolve itself in several ways: 1) TSA pilots resort to legal self help and management refuses to deal with the job security issues resulting in other pilots taking those positions or the liquidation of TSA assets; 2) TSA pilots fail to achieve job security protections for the future and TSA management uses their new found leverage with a substantially larger GoJet to either whipsaw TSA pilots into submission or dismantle the company at its own pace in line with GoJet growth so as to achieve no net loss in operating revenues over time; 3) GoJet could continue to grow while TSA pilots continue to decline resulting in a role reversal of pilot group sizes, at which time Trans States Holdings could voluntarily go to the NMB and request a Single Transportation Sytem10 designation, which could result in TSA pilots being represented by IBT 618.[/FONT]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Or, 4) the outcome most favored by TSA pilots, with industry cooperation Trans States Airlines pilots can secure the job security protections we deserve while addressing the GoJet issue fairly and equitably for all. This is in the best interest of TSA pilots and the airline industry at large, but it takes the support of all not just the few. The cooperation of pilots in taking the time to read and understand the issues will hopefully guide pilots to make supportive decisions in the future.[/FONT]