Originally Posted by
Andy
Joe, there should not be any pilot getting more than minimum guarantee while fellow pilots are on furlough. That's what union members are SUPPOSED to do. Shared gains, shared sacrifices.
You know, like the Southwest pilots did when management needed to reduce hours. I talked to many of their pilots and many said it hurt but it was the right thing to do.
I'm sure it did hurt the Southwest pilots. If their Captains went to guarantee they would be making $196,000 per year. Their F/O's on average would be earning at $121,000 per year. Looking at United, Bus Captains would earn $115,000 per year and Bus F/O's $78,000. I know, I know, $78,000 is a Kings salary and they should feel lucky to earn that. There is a difference between hurt and cutting your arm off.
Southwest was hit by the recession and their management had to reduce flying. They however, were destined to reinstate their flying in the near future and the Southwest pilots knew that. United was hit by the recession and they reduced their flying as well. United parked a couple hundred airplanes and outsourced a major portion of their mainline route structure. United pilots do not know when their flying will return. With the introduction of Aer Lingus and more 70 seat RJ's, it may never return.
Regarding the 70 hour line guarantee, how much would it cost United to build every line to 70 hours? Wouldn't they rather have the yearly line average in the 80-82 hour range? This would spread the benefit costs over fewer employees flying the same total block hours.
Going to work for Southwest is the one clear conclusion. Right?