Originally Posted by
Check Essential
LAX73NB and SEA7ERB would be included in the deal.
Whatever is the most junior category in every base.
The incentives could even vary by base. Whatever it takes to get people to want to be on reserve at that base. Pay a bit more for NYC for example (because few live there and there are less potential reserves). A bit less for SLC or ATL.
I doubt the idea would fly. Too radical.
ACL is certainly correct. It would tend to make reserve more junior in the upper categories. But so what? People would still bid what they want and want what they bid.
What it does is shift contract negotiation "resources" away from those folks who want to spend our negotiating capital to make reserve more "commutable".
I know I'll draw flak, but in my opinion if you are going to commute you should bid a category where your seniority allows you to have a regular line. The guys who live in base can sit reserve. It is just plain dumb, not to mention inefficient and illogical, to waste our leverage going after contract terms that would allow more guys to live in Wyoming and be bidding reserve in Los Angeles. I'd much rather use that leverage to get better payrates, higher DC contributions and sick rules and all the other stuff we want.
Given the possibilities of the NPRM I do not think anyone would want to blow capital on commuting items unless it is something like NWA had. One flight then a PS. Make it a contractual item and not a policy that can be amended without mutual consent.
As you suggest that means that the same jet in different bases would have different rules.
I do not see that flying at all. It actually would make a financial incentive to create less bases because of the cost savings of more jets in a given base, meaning less jets and seats under the better rules. Wanna Ax a few East Coast and West Coast medium sized bases, go forward with this plan.