Originally Posted by
MaxPowers
How can you call current pay "irrelevant"? That is what the guy is making today. That's almost the definition of the word "relevant".
If you're implying that an Arbitrator wouldn't consider their new contract to be relevant . . . . I think in terms of
pay protection they most certainly would use 2010 rates, not 2001 rates- it wouldn't make sense to pay protect someone for less than they are already making.
Regardless, I don't think an Arbitrator (or three) will bump anyone out of their seat. If you expect that to happen, you are likely to be disappointed.
The new contract happened after the acquisition announcement - that is the "reference point" for negotiations. That was my only point there. Pay protection - sure, why not. Certainly don't think anyone from Airtran will be taking a pay cut on this deal.
As for the seat position - that IS totally irrelevant. It is not "their seat". Left seat, right seat - WGAS. A chimp could fly from either. Thinking a 10 year SWA FO will be pulling the gear for a 6 year Airtran captain is not even close to being rational thought. Where does "fair and equitable" include seat position anyway? A 10 year SWA FO earns more (with better QOL) than a 7 or even 8 year (at the new payrate) Airtran captain. So why would you call it a "windfall" for that SWA guy, who has been a loyal SWA employee, to upgrade before them?
Re-read my last post (take away the irrelevant part if that helps to get through it) and tell me what part of it is not accurate. We pretty much know what the Airtran pilots have going for them but...what benefits will the SWA pilots alone realize to make things equitable? Better company, way more money, better QOL, more vacation, higher trip density, lower union dues, better medical,...what?