BT/BM Know full well the defined benefit plan has already been funded - upfront - by a deeply concessionary contract. This same contract has allowed Angle Lake to bank increasing profits year on year and achieve the best margin in the industry. These profits were made on the backs of frontline employees time and time again, not just pilots.

These are not stupid men, but they certainly hope a few of us are. ALK and VX pilots alike need to read between the lines, remain unified and continue educating each other on how these guys do business both historically and today. That silly video should have been a call to arms for our group, not a "rational explanation." It was nonsense.

The pension guys need to get paid - and we need to get paid. AAG already has the money in the coffers to pay every pension they agreed to, they took it from the pilot group long ago. If they want to pay us less, then logically, we should ALL be on a defined benefit plan! One that is bankruptcy proof and bulletproof. Of course, AAG would scoff at that and logically - we should scoff at the video nonsense they just threw our way.

Now is the time for the pilot group to remain unified and allow our union negotiators to present the best case (and BOY do we have one) for industry average, even industry LEADING pay. Even with industry leading pay, we will likely fall far behind the big three in work rules, scheduling and QOL until contract 2020, whenever that actually ratifies. Compare W2's with your buddies at Delta, United, SW and American and the math will speak for itself.

My union speaks for me and every day I educate others and learn as much as I can, to be as informed as I can be. Knowledge is power.

So, just as a reference point:
I recently had a new AS guy in my jumpseat. We talked "Work, Work, Work, Work.." most of the flight. He has a sibling who started at the big D about the same time, and after comparing notes between the two, he had this nugget: he is going to make about $45,000- less this year than they are. The end.

This is not news. So, why does everyone talk about leaving but not do it. Time is wasting. I have seen some post that they have been here a few years and have their apps in with no call. Well, it you are a pilot at Alaska and have had you apps in for more than a year and have not been called, then there is something wrong in it and either find a friend to check it or pay one of the app review companies. You will be surprised what they find.

When you say "mergers/acquisition stuff we will likely always end up in arbitration" are you saying Alaska Airlines specifically? Because according to union email, Delta/NW got a JCBA in 4 months. Did UA/CAL and AA/US/HP/TWA see arbitration? I didn't think they did. So it's really just us and our Management team is it not?

Of course, SLI is a whole 'nother story

I am told that Delta scores its apps. If it were me, I'd do whatever it takes.

At the end of October, with the Arbitration decision, I predict a flood of Alaska FOs more motivated to leave.

If you say that you are waiting until October to see if you've made a mistake, you already know the answer. You just don't want to face reality.

I hope you guys are pleasantly surprised; but, if it were me. I'd be doing everything to beat the mad rush for the door.

Yes, Delta manually scores their apps and they have a lot of them. If you have been waiting more than a year for a call, you need to do something to get your app scored. Make friends at Delta. An internal rec gets your app scored. They is also a wait for interviews and then a wait for class. About 4-6 month total now. So, if you think you want to leave and have not received an invite, you are behind.

Yup. I'm dusting off my United and Delta apps now. Went to the united Veteran Invitational job expo last November, so I'm pretty optimistic. "If you are in this room" they said, we want to hire you". But I've let the app lapse while waiting for the new contract. If we come in at approx 90% of UAL numbers, I'll probably stay put. Hopefully come Oct/Nov, I'll have good news or great news.

Please don't put percentages or numbers on an online forum like that

Thank you.

I don't want 90% of anyone. I want industry-LEADING pay.

Even an 90% a 2nd year FO would be making about $13,000 less than the "Big 3" and a 10 yr CA would be $26,000 less. That is not a good goal to strive for. Don't forget that your company has one of the highest profit margins in the industry AND DL/UAL negotiations will be starting soon.