OTZ my man,
Unions don’t control the actions of management. Our union leadership is setting a tone. Respect and follow our CBA. Demonstrate that by your actions, not your words.
They( our union leadership) are carrying out a long term plan that will help Alaska Airlines leadership regain the trust and respect they have squandered over the last 20 years. We( the pilots) have not ever negotiated and pressed for contractual positions that would put them( Brad & Co.) at a competitive disadvantage. What we are pressing for is a balanced approach that benefits the entire membership not just the “chosen few”.
If this causes them to go into histrionics and throw tantrums then so be it....They are a publicly traded company. If they choose to furlough 600 then so be it. We do not control their actions. Alaska has always been a lousy company in good times and an ok company in lousy times...I would imagine most who will be furloughed prefer ALPA’s measured approach

 

OTZ.

I’m a post merger hire. I’ve been on the bus for my time here. Lots of my friends from QX are on the Boeing. I believe your numbers are good. I believe you don’t have a clue what sentiments on the line are. This is a united group against a lousy management team. This group was united by the actions of management being bullies and showing they do not value their employees. My union is doing exactly what I want them to. If that costs me my job, I’m good with that. I want that. I would rather increase my fellow pilots quality of life in the long run than put a little money in my pocket now. Then I’ll have a good job to come back to eventually.

 

Encouraged by the types and tenor of the responses I’m beginning to see here. Measured, professional and resolute. 😎👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

 

Concessions and Capitulation are failure.
Failure is not an option

 

I’m in the same boat as you, AS hire QX retread. On the bus the whole time and have flown with some amazing on awesome CAs. One thing I’ve noticed is the QXer’s and LVXer’s have a lot in common, and our numbers are continuing to grow (or at least they were). I too rather be on the street than give an inch in the contract. Let’s do this together guys as a unified ALASKA pilot group!

 

I call my REPS & MEC officers weekly and I couldn’t be happier with their hard work and dedication to this pilot group! They are doing EXACTLY what the pilot group has asked of them! We are one unified group regardless of the false rhetoric from spewed by OTZ. This pilot group will NOT give one inch if we don’t gain 2 inches back from mgt. The Alaska pilots have given their entire careers for this company only to be given a second tier contract and a management team who only cares about shareholders. Southwest just announced a FULL schedule later this year and Spirit just announced a NEW HIRE class! Let that sink in! OTZ is a pilot who’s in with management, if he only realized he’s being used as a stooge. When B&B no longer need him, he will just be another number on the list.

 

Many moons ago, when I was a new hire, a crusty old captain taught me something I carried throughout my airline career--money is all that this company cares about, period and more specifically, investors first, customers, and then employees last in which case all three groups make them money. Upper management will not blink an eye when they put the axe to its people. Happened during Kasher, ramp worker lockout, '08(?) furloughs, numerous contract negotiations, TPA, JCBA arbitration, and the list goes on. No Flight Path, PDM, or any company hoorah events will ever convince this pilot group otherwise.
I didn't have much of an understanding about the airline world coming from the military with exception of tidbits from my buds who had bailed to the airlines. This captain was right on. Keeping things in perspective and leaving emotions out, though it's tough at times, was the best advice.

 

Good luck to all of you. October 1st, 385... It really could have been 0. I see a lot more then any of you, it’s just my opinion, but the union owns this one.

 

your ignorance is my bliss

 

“The Union”.... is US. Not the MEC. Not SFO/LAX LEC’s. Not 800 “angry VX’rs” (btw, that’s not a thing anymore. They’re Alaska pilots. Period. And they have as much right to express their concerns, anger, issues as every pilot in the top 10% at Gig Harbor does.)

The days of binding arbitration ala Kasher are OVER. Maybe it coulda been 0. But at what cost? Maybe it’ll be 385. Maybe it’ll be 1000. But this pilot group has a set of truck nuts hangin on the door knob at the MEC office and WE.... put em there. Clearly you’ve either never visited, or you’re sitting on the opposite side of the table when you do. That’s prob a very difficult concept.

And, for the record.... I don’t for one second blame Ben or Brad. They are tasked by the board and the shareholders to squeeze every dime outa this pilot group possible... in good times and bad. That’s their job.

I know it’s difficult to grasp, but you’re in the minority my friend. Tell ya what.... when the smoke clears.... how bout I by you the first round! And.... if I’m on the street, I’ll send a case. Fraternally.... 😉🚬😎🥃🥃