This is the go-to for any kool-aid drinking Alaska pilot. "It could always be worse!" is the battlecry for mediocrity.

All of the new hires are getting a crash course in Alaska's methodology of saying one thing and doing another. They've been telling these new hires "expect a 3 year upgrade or less!" in the training center. The reality will be far, far short of those lofty goals. Kind of like your predictions, always falling short.

 

What joke if that’s what they are really telling people. After this bid the junior captain will be in the 6-8 year range depending on base.

 

So what happens in September then?

 

Nothing, absolutely nothing changes. The list of applications will not shrink, there will still be plenty in line to work here. They will still come here knowing upgrade is 4-6.5 years. There will still be hundreds of great pilot candidates waiting in line, yes waiting in line for a job you detest. Why, because they realize what you will never be able to, this is a good job… a really good job!

 

Likely another failed merger prediction from The Eagle, or perhaps widebodies on property! Only time will tell.

 

I don’t care if you insult me but I was hoping you would expand on this: “ Come September, there will be something new for them to cry about.”

 

Referring to how we’re going to be average compared to other carrier rates. I disagree that the NC did a great job OTZ. They did an “average” job. Hence why they’re all stepping down now. They had every opportunity to renegotiate a completely new and overhauled contract, and just hit the top few. That’s not how this works. Especially in times such as these. Take a look at the underlined and changed things in the “new” contract, it’s minuscule. Our contract was a rush job (literally rushed the voting) and it’s showing. The other carriers will be making more over the time we’ve signed this in due to the massively higher retro pay checks in which they’re receiving, and industry leading pay rates with a real snap-up clause. While we get rewarded for going first with average. 🤣

 

Man that’s big news. I thought ALPA policy required negotiating members to step down 6 months after a new agreement is signed. Alaska negotiating committee really all hung their head in shame and stepped down because they realized they put forward a crappy TA that 82% of Alaska pilots voted for? What kind of election hoax is going on at Alaska? Did the ALA MEC use the same voting machines they used in Arizona?

Looking at Alpa newsletters, Alaska TA was reached 9/23 and ratified 10/17. Delta opened voting Jan 31 and closed Mar 1. Why did you accept a full week less to make a decision than a pilot group 5x your size?

 

Clearly you read things once. You can run for re-election. All members indicated they wouldn’t. Even though “there’s still work to be done.” Did you not know they did limited road shows and rushed the vote in order to make an “ALPA” meeting? Must’ve missed that note. But since they’re “5x” our size, clearly they should get more of everything. Worked out for the company. Why let another major put out a TA during our vote? Now we know why. An extra roadshow or two would’ve helped. The attendance was poor, and you can tell by the questions I get asked by First Officers on the line. You got sold on average, which is totally fine for you. Just realize your peers are getting about an extra $80k initially, and more days off each year with an overhauled contract, because they knew their worth. Especially, (again) during times like these. Why do you think new hires and people with seniority are leaving here? Truly answer that beyond bases and heavy’s. With AA having a deal, the attrition problem is only going to get worse. UA and WN getting a deal will only add to this. Let’s see how the company responds. Or if they respond.

 

Some pilots: They’ve dragged their feet for years, we need to strike now!

Also some pilots: Nooo we shouldn’t have gone first! Our NC should have stalled to see others go first.



So you wanted your own NC to intentionally stall? Should have told them that in polling.