How long have you been in this industry?

 

30 years. Got a 15 year Alpa pin. Been furloughed from a major carrier that had a better contract in 2001. Walked picket lines for my airline as well as others. Voted yes on a strike vote. Etc. That’s how long.

 

Yep. And AS ALPA has presented the Company with them a number of times. The key vote isn't the strike vote. Its the vote that occurs when a contract offer is ratified by the membership. Just getting membership ratification was a big deal. Alaska ALPA used to have MEC ratification.

Just be glad you weren't around in those days.

AS management isn't impressed with strike votes. Never have been.

 

What ARE they impressed with... that’s legal?

 

They're not impressed because they know the President (whatever party) will not allow a strike to impact the State of Alaska. You know there's a big oil business up there, don't you? No impact will ever be allowed that would impact the Strategic Oil Reserve if for no other reason.

Alaska pilots are doomed to arbitration now and forever and the Company knows that.

 

Wow, that is depressing, but makes total sense.

 

Hmm.... interesting perspective. Well, if that’s true, and there are no other legal pressure points. Yep... you’re/we’re screwed.

And yeah... I’m aware there’s a “big oil business up there”. Lol Just cause y’all don’t know how to make decent BBQ doesn’t mean we don’t know about where oil comes from. 😉

 

We’re only doomed to arbitration if we sign off on it. I can’t imagine the NC agreeing to more, “thank you sir, may I have another”, treatment.

 

Put it on the list.

 

Cool. I'm 24 years with 22 in ALPA. I was also at another Major before 9-11 and Got furloughed. The contract back then was also better than the current Alaska one (work rules for sure, money about the same adjusted for inflation) but that's apples and oranges. Why? Because after 9-11 that awesome contract was obliterated...completely obliterated. In the post 9-11 world, No airline in America had a contract comparable to Alaska's. That's not because it was so great, it's because the entire industry fell in a cascading, calving collapse around it. BTW, that awesome pre-9-11 contract is STILL not back at said Legacy. It's lost for the foreseeable future. In my years at Alaska, we have taken a strike vote. I've done informational Picketing here as well. Surely, after 30 years in the industry, you must know what a worthless, meaningless gesture that is.



When was the last strike of a Legacy Carrier? Remember American in 1998 and their sick out? That cost the APA every last penny in their coffers. Sure, Spirit went on strike for about 3 days or whatever it was but they don't really count. Do you really think Alaska Airlines pilots will EVER be allowed to strike? We are the only game in town for much of the entire state. A state, BTW, that is so geographically large, if over-laid on the lower 48, it would stretch from Seattle to Jacksonville Florida. A Strike at Alaska will NEVER happen and we all know it...therefore, a "strike vote" is a complete joke. I'm willing to fight for fair contract, we all are, but let's be real. This management DOES NOT NEGOTIATE. They don't have to. They are uniquely positioned to give us the finger for years with no real legal consequences. Is that a defeatist attitude or simple reality? I'd say the latter.



OTOH, Given your 3 decades in aviation, I'd hope, by now, you'd be able to appreciate some positive aspects at Alaska. Sure, we aren't Delta. However, I'm going to clear 300k of cash compensation this year very easily. Full benefits, an A plan, a DC plan maxed to Federal "all sources" Limits, 30+ days vacation...etc. Good luck finding a comparable job outside of aviation. You were furloughed, were you offered any jobs with a total compensation package like that? I sure as hell wasn't. I set the brake, go home, and forget all about the Eskimo...Life isn't so bad...and when my schedule becomes too challenging and fatiguing, I address it. Problem solved. That's the system management seems to want. fine. I really do have better sh*t to do than worry about work/union issues all the time and where the proverbial grass may be (temporarily)greener. So I don't. I'm a clock punching line puke with no ambitions beyond that.