Originally Posted by
JDFlyer
First let me say, I completely respect the opinions above who don't like the pay proposal.
However, I think I am going to vote in favor of taking it.
1) The economy is in meltdown, thousands of pilots on furlough and we (Skywest) are hiring and getting offered a pay raise that is in line with the CPI.
2) While the majority of Skywest pilots (EMB FO's not withstanding) may not be the highest paid pilot group, we are near the top - and MOST IMPORTANTLY - we don't have to pay ALPO 3% or whatever it is to support their legacy airline pilot labor organization in negotiating our regional pilot pay.
3) Management has no contract with us, but also, we have no contract with management. If for some reason the economy completely turns around and Skywest starts printing money, we the pilots can absolutely go ask for more money. We may not get it, but at least management cannot say "we have a contract" how dare you ask, we will talk in another 5 years.
4) Because we are a competitively priced sub-contract carrier, we have grown amazingly well over the last 10 years. We are acquiring other airlines, ASA and XJET to be specific - and who knows who else in the near future. (Mesa? Comair?) Other airlines are NOT acquiring us because of our business model or cost structure.
My two cents. Flame away.
JD, I really respect a lot of the things you have said on the message boards. I don't always agree, but I respect your opinion. However, this time, I have got to say that is the biggest Kool-Aid drinking response I've read in a while.
I found the e-mail yesterday to be an insult to the hard work I put in on a daily basis as well as that of my fellow pilots. I am getting TDYed around the system to cover their lack of staffing on a weekly basis, and what they come to offer me is 1% for my trouble? But hey, when you sit reserve 12 hours out of base and not get called (which I have never been called on TDY), I will get paid 3:57 towards guarantee now instead of 3:45. WOW. Not only that, but as a reserve, thanks to our pathetic MDG increase, I am going to get hurt whenever I need to take user time or vacation because I won't accrue it any faster, but I will get charged for it faster. Oh wait, how wonderful is that? That means their liabilities will be reduced at a greater rate then they are replenished, and it may cost them a few more dollars now, but it helps the bottom line on the call.
How about they fix all the ways CS can screw us over on pay? International repos, when Sked+ does not pick up an overblock flight, reflows that have taken me 3 or 4 phone calls to get paid for the higher of the two days (those glorious line holder months that I've had), anything else that might require an Appendix D, and especially the ORD parking brake issue. Take your pick. None of those concerns were addressed. If you don't think they will find ways to make this cost neutral to them, I fear you will be surprised. This isn't a pay package. This is an insult.
My vote is a resounding NO. And when ALPA comes knocking on my door, my vote will be a YES.
This is my first sober post in a long time (sitting TDY reserve in DEN after all) and I really hope a lot of the other OO guys are as mad as I am, and I hope they speak with the only voice they have an vote this awful thing down.