Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
Brakes,
Job Protection provisions have to be built with the expectation of the worst case scenario. "Worst case" is when they will be tested and when they'll have to work reliably.
Trans States is not the carrier it used to be. The GoJets situation put TSA's management number one on the list of "do not fly for under any circumstances" for many of us.
Flow through agreements are weak and problematic due to the fact that they rely on airline management to keep a future promise of employment. Before, Compass was Delta management who mostly can be trusted. Not so with the GoJets team. Even if the flow does survive (which I doubt), very few of your most junior First Officers would want that "opportunity" with this change. Go Jets / TSA management is not going to be particularly interested in having Delta pilots flow down either and my understanding is Delta management does not like the flow.
So who likes the flow? TSA management likes reducing longevity costs and Compass pilots like the flow. Those are two parties who really don't have a seat at the table if scope is being discussed and lest we forget, this flow is a creation of Delta scope.
The errors that I believe we made are that we divested "regional" pilots from our ranks, along with their aircraft Type. Certainly the strongest negotiation position would have been to claim them as our own, even if we intended to sell them. What has more value, a Delta pilot, or a Compass pilot? What has more value to you, pilots below you on the list (real furlough protection) or pilots at another airline? Who's seniority does Delta have an obligation to honor?
At this late point we have lost the ability to enhance the value of Compass, as furlough protection, or as a tool to recapture job protections lost in bankruptcy negotiations. Again, the strongest negotiating position is that of unity because it is the most difficult for management to make liquid and transact.
I pretty much disagree with everything you have just typed.
The flow has been
EXTREMELY valuable.
Job Protection provisions have to be built with the expectation of the worst case scenario. "Worst case" is when they will be tested and when they'll have to work reliably.
We have been through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Some say it is not over. Yet not 1 single Delta pilot was furloughed. To say that the flow through, and more appropriately the flow DOWN, had no effect on furloughs is disingenuous--at best. I believe, since you failed to provide the information, that you predicted furloughs in October. If that is not correct forget this statement: We are going to hire. Now, October is 4 months away, and anything can happen between now and then, but it looks rosy for now.
Does this latest transaction have the ability to allow us to blow ourselves up? Most certainly. At the same time, I have spoken with and gotten the mindset of our representatives. They had not even been briefed on the fallout of this transaction as early as yesterday. I made my opinions known: This is a section 1 problem, and it will take a section 1 solution. That being said, this transaction has just now peeked above the surface. There are many aspects of it which make no sense on the surface. Thus, perhaps we do not possess all of the details, or the transaction will shift to something else. Its too early to tell.
I WILL agree that unity is a good thing, and that horse was running wild out to pasture before you or I walked into the barn. However, a certain RJDC faction walked up to the barn door whilst the horse was standing in the newly opened door. They fires several live rounds into the air, scaring the bejesus out of said animal; causing it to not only to bound for open pasture, but eye the door warily and keep a very safe distance. I have observed first hand the horse whisperers arriving onto the scene with the intent of quelling the beast and trying to get him back in the barn.
The RJDC sued ALPA. I have no problem with that. The RJDC sought damages which included circumventing MY legally negotiated PWA. Them's fighting words, and unforgivable. I know who they are, and will remember them.
That being said, a number of Comair pilots--back to the topic of issue-- have found a way onto our list. I have flown with several of them, and have been extraordinarily pleased with their performance. I look forward to more of them joining our ranks. So your premise that I will take joy in lobbing grenades at them is unfounded and outright wrong.
So, you pulled your post. Sorry, too late. If I may be honest, I think that you are extremely smart, dedicated, and talented. You have, however, just the slightest inkling of chicken little syndrome. Your predictions that you bragged about in your post have not come true to this date, and I seriously doubt that your furlough predictions for october, again if my memory serves, will come to pass. PMs don't count, APC doesn't count either. Get into the fray, my friend. It is YOUR future.