Originally Posted by
beeker
The RLA has nothing to do with the pay problems. It is the seniority and longevity systems. If either of those two could be transferred from company to company you would see people bail from the low payers faster then they could raise the pay. Even if payscales differ people aren't willing to give up seniority. Also if you have 7 or 8 years of longevity there would have to be a very big pay scale difference to go back to 1 year.
I agree there needs to be portability with our jobs, but if we could take seniority to any carrier then all the most senior people (highest on the payscale) would go to the highest paying carrier, which would cripple that carrier because of the dramatic increase in labor costs.
Instead, how about a flat pay rate that doesnt vary with longevity, but can vary from company to company.
Company A:
737 FO rate: $100/hr
737 CA rate: $150/hr
Company B:
737 FO rate: 90/hr
737 CA rate: 140/hr
If company B wanted to pay less than A, they would need other ways of attracting applicants (maybe better work rules, scheduling, vacation, etc).