Hey I'd like to cherry pick all the nice things from other contracts without putting any value on the stuff that we already have too. I don't think the company is going to respect us any differently based on this vote. The last TA failed by a few votes, the company is filling new hire classes with pilots by paying bonuses, and they are covering flying on the line because our pilots would rather complain on FB or APC than stick up for their rights that we already have.

 

Ok, this makes absolutely zero sense. I spent 3 hours going over the new TA language, and there are definitely improvements over our existing one. If you are terrified of the economy tanking on, wouldn’t you want to take improvements that are offered now? No chance we vote this one down and get another TA to vote on within 12 months.

A short list of things I see that are better from sitting down with the new TA and the existing contract and going through them on a section by section basis:

- “No min day” and “non rigged trip” exceptions have been eliminated
- New options for Junior Man compensation, including keeping the JM pay and receiving a paid day compensatory day off (day in lieu)
- Institution of question bank that will be the only source of questions allowed for oral examinations
- A ton of stuff in section 25 (scheduling) including creation of long call lines outside of relief lines, ability to bid for training events, additional protections and rules for reserve pilots, a decrease in the amount of flying that is allowed to remain uncovered after lines have been constructed to 5% from 10% (means more productive lines or more lineholder positions), and the requirement that our scheduling committee be able to construct lines instead just being able to offer “suggestions”
- increase in LTD coverage from 1 year to 2 years

Those were just a few that caught my eye.

 

I’m still a no vote
You must be a member of management or a union tool.
Trying to scare everyone into thinking that they have to take this because we can’t get anything better ? Bull crap
We should demand better , demand more and another no vote definitely sends a message.
Those dingleberries in atw can get big bonuses and raises because of our hardwork and sacrifice and when it’s time to reward us we get pennies on the dollar?? Eff em
No
No
No

 

Nope. Neither a “union tool” or management. Just a regular line pilot. I don’t really care which way you vote, and I’m not trying to scare anyone (solid move accusing me of using scare tactics when you went with the “vote this down or you’ll be sorry” argument to start things off).

I do care about people making uninformed decisions.

So, good talk. Thanks for coming out an attacking my motivations when all I did was point out that hey, actually, there are some improvements. Vote what’s best for you.

 

My vote will be with an informed decision. I won’t say either way I’m voting for on a message board. I’ll attend a road show and ask questions, be informed and make my decision.
As for ALPA Paying for your lunch or dinner at the SkyBridge? It’s your ALPA dues that’s paying for it.
And I’d recommend the patty melt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Yes there are some improvements I agree but why settle for less than what you feel you deserve??
There are a lot of senior guys here with only 5, or 6 years left until retirement and they will definitely vote yes and screw everyone behind them.They only have a few years to ride it out , I get it . Beyond that , I don’t understand why anyone else can view this as acceptable.
We deserve better is my point .
In every aspect of it .

 

I'd like more and of course I feel that in my self serving opinion we deserve more, but being angry and stomping my feet isn't going to get anything more. Is there actually anything that you would have actually been happy with? It sounds like you just enjoy being angry and hate working here.

 

You just don’t get it.
If I had several thousand employees at my company and could convince them to work for less than what they deserve I would do it too if they were gullible enough to fall for it.
There is more in the language,more in compensation to be gained.
When you’re constantly rerouted, multiple plane swaps every day, constant maintenance issues and you work your ass off and still do your job to the best of your ability regardless of all you deal with daily. Now the company rewards you with peanuts while the brinks truck is backing up to their door and you’re ok with that ?
It’s not about being angry , I’m not . I just see the big picture here . Union email recently said all bonuses will be rolled into pay rates ?? Where ?? Show me??

 

I am pretty sure that I am not the one that is confused and not looking at the "Big Picture." You are actually contradicting your own argument. While we should be offered more, we are being offered more than we already have. That is a tangible gain and I don't believe we would be "gullible" to take their money.

What makes you believe that there is more in language and compensation to be gained? Plane swaps and maintenance are a part of this industry and there is no airline that is going to give you any contractual way around that. If that's your concern, this profession isn't for you. We are expected to "work our ass off and do our job to the best of our abilities." That's what all pilots and especially regional pilots are hired and paid for!

The nice thing is that we do have options as pilots right now. If you like parts of another airline's contract you can probably go there just like you recommend to anyone that asks on the forums about coming here.

I wish there were Brinks trucks lining up in ATW and if you have evidence, please provide it instead of just trying to elevate the drama.
When I started here we were flying 71 aircraft on a pretty lucrative deal that was made as we helped US Airways out of bankruptcy. Now we are flying a handful less airplanes at a staffing level that probably only supports around 55 aircraft on what I can only assume is a much less profitable agreement with United.

I agree that the pay rates should be higher, but they are offering us real money and more than we currently have. That's not really peanuts - maybe almonds or macadamias!

I'm going to dip into my finance background for you now (free of charge) to address the bonuses into rates issue. The compounding value of the the higher rates will be worth more than the bonus that was only offered to part of the pilot group last time. Combine that with the automatic 1.5% that we get every year and it is worth more than those one time bonuses if you were even eligible for it last time.

 

What are the new suggested pay rates?