Originally Posted by
Rightseat Ballast
When next year comes around, a lot more pilots will be eligible to run for the EXCO, and I certainly hope that some of the new additions to our list (Midwest, Frontier pilots) will be eligible and willing to run. The short of it is, if the same bunch of knuckleheads gets reelected next year, the push to oust Teamsters will go ahead. Our leadership is on thin ice, and we as the pilot group are sick of their secrecy and empty threats to management. We know that your union is as strong as the pilots. The pilots we have now are strong, and many more of them are finally able to take the reigns. I have been asked by a few people to step up, and I am seriously looking into it. Am I the best man for the job? Who knows. But I am certainly better than what's in office now.
Sorry buddy, but I hope (and believe) that election will happen sooner and under a different umbrella.
For starters, you are not convincing Frontier/Lynx/Midwest pilots to stay with IBT. No way in hell. They way the IBT has been dealing with them during this purchase? Hahah...laughable at best. The IBT has been peeing on a large group of pilots soon to be on our seniority list.
Secondly, the IBT and its EXCO have been peeing on our group for years. Well guess what? With all 4 pilot groups coming together on one seniority list, the IBT doesn't stand a chance in hell of staying in place.
The IBT disease has run its course at Republic, and the only good thing it left behind was a scope clause. The IBT is weak, powerless and easily intimidated by RAH management. It has no place in our combined company any longer, and there are plenty of us that will be surging forward to make sure that when the dust settles, the IBT will be without its largest pilot group.
And FWIW, once the integration team signs their contract, it doesn't matter what union represents all of us, because it won't effect the integration. But once the integration is finished - we need a contract, and an industry leading one at that. I will walk off this job and not come back if I have to fly a 190 for these payrates.