I think the TA obviously was reviewed in detail by those who had a duty to make this great for us (i.e, our attorney, and the IBT advisors). Oh, wait....is GB coming in next week? He is still listed on our LOA's! This is a new contract, and we are not even able to review and correct the signature pages?

The reason I bring this up, is for those who only look at pay. We agree the pay looks fine. It's all in the details, which have been ignored just to get this out. It looks like MG will win by flashing a shinny new nickel at the pilots. Yes, I know seeing GB's name on the side letters is not a big deal; but if he is listed; how much detail was made on the wording in the scheduling, reassignments, extensions, etc (oh, the "etc" is also used as a reason the company can reassign you; as well as "etc" as to the assignment they give you).

So if the agreement said they will pay $250 per hour; but they can reassign your rate monthly for operational needs, "etc"; would you still vote yes? of course not. But we are saying its ok to allow scheduling to be literally adjustable regardless of reserve or bid line holder? Doesn't make sense to me!

 

Then why didn’t you make it great for us? If it’s that easy. Really man, I don’t think its to late. We got road shows coming to a base near you. Take the podium and tell the NC and the rest of the EXCO how they screwed the pooch, and how you will make it better.

 

Are you trying to imply that there's something wrong with speaking one's mind to the people who are supposed to be working for the pilot group? ...the ones who lead an organization that will soon be taking, by force, money from our individual pockets?

I'm not advocating a position on this TA, but I do have to say that to imply that it is somehow wrong to make one's voice heard in such a situation is ludicrous and that your posts bring to mind thoughts of the type of intimidation tactics that have earned unions a bad name in the minds of many.

 

Nope, that’s not what I am implying. Definitely speak one’s mind, should the internet balls be representative all the better. I want to hear the dissent at the road shows, because I sure didn’t hear one word to the contrary in Vegas. Where did I demand silence?

 

BLOWINSMOKE:
I've been with allegiant just under a year, so I missed a lot of the hell that the more seasoned guys experienced for years. My view of this place is probably biased towards the rosier side. I'm a PIT FO on the bus. PIT is a terrible example of a typical line/schedule here because we're a one airplane charter base. We have 6 (or 7) crews based here, and unless you're number 1 or 2 in the base (thereby flying the international turns, PUJ and CUN), your schedule is probably pretty bad. I bid mixed lines and usually end up with 5-7 flying days and 13-18 reserve days... I almost always get min days off, but I hardly ever work. Reserve here (at least on the airbus) works more like a regular airline and not a regional, its really only used when something comes up, not so much to fill seats of un-staffed flights. That's how it works in PIT at least, and I think many of the other airbus bases are similar. So I usually end up sitting at home 20-25 days per month, crediting around 75-85 hours, with 11 hard days off. I haven't had too much of a problem getting weekends off, or days off in a row, with exceptions of course. I'm number 3 in base. The TA would obviously be a massive improvement for me, it's a 37% wage increase for 2nd year FO pay; but I'm going to attend the road show and get the union's full speech, as well as read the rest of it for myself; but I'm certainly leaning yes. That said, I think it's absurd how the union and fellow pilots tell us how we need to vote "for what's best for us and our families" which basically is just another way of saying, "it's ok to throw everyone else under the bus if it's good for you" and is pretty much the anti-mantra for what a union is supposed to stand for (in my mind)... so I definitely don't intend on doing that; if I feel our pilot group as a whole is against this thing.

EJET TAXI:
Do a google search for "express jet pilot forum" and it should take you to "the pipe." In there you should see a pretty recent allegiant thread which has the highlights of our TA on the first page. First year pay will be 56 and change I believe, and 2nd year FO pay will be 96. That said, I have never heard any pilot here or heard of any pilot wishing they were back at their regional. I think most would agree that hands down this place is better than a regional... But life circumstances will also play into that (if you're 50 and older and in the top 10% on your list, for example). A great way to sum this place up, which I've heard echoed many times on the line is this: "In 2 years, this will either have been the greatest decision I ever made, or the worst." Basically saying, there's real potential here, but changes need to be made. Changes which most of us think will eventually happen, but we're not necessarily betting our futures on it either (i.e.: lots have resumes out). The infinite TDY seems to happen mostly to guys that are in senior bases (SFB, IWA) and are at the bottom of the list. I don't think it happens to many of our pilots, but its certainly a possibility for all of us. Again this is another thing that needs changing. I don't know yet if our TA provides some relief on this issue. If you want to be in a base that is stacked with super senior guys up until the last few numbers, it should be something you consider. If you want to be somewhere where movement is more common, its probably not too much of a worry. Right now, a junior FO could probably get to any base he wanted within a year, but moving up in that base in anyone's guess. We're a junior pilot group, and if this TA passes, attrition could/should greatly decrease. Upgrade times, I anticipate, are going to go way up.
In summary, to regional guys, I typically say, "yeah, this would be good choice for you."

questions/comments
-Alex-
cel: 484-661-7716

 

Don't try to change the subject just because someone actually has the fortitude to call you on your intimidation tactics. You know exactly what you're trying to do and I'm here to remind you that the union leadership works for us, not the other way around.

Also, what is with this ridiculous implication that anyone with a dissenting opinion must appear at the road shows? Why do you seem to think that anyone who disagrees with you is required "stand at the podium" and explain himself? Do you really think that in the Internet age the only way to legitimately espress dissent is to go face-to-face with the people with whom one disagrees in a public setting?

Get real.

 

You do realize that the LOA's with GB's name on them were agreed to while he was still here, yes? We currently operate ASAP, FOQA, HIMS, etc due to those LOA's that were signed by GB. So they are correct as they stand and have already been signed, some well over a year ago. Please, people! Do some research before blasting opinions!

 

Nope, I was hoping to hear it live. I’m not demanding anything. There was a large group of us in Vegas and I think I actually heard clapping. I can’t speak my mind? Sounds like you don’t like what I have to say.

 

Probably had that in LAS because the TA wasn't out yet and they were getting the highlights of it. Now that people have had time to read and digest the actual language I bet you hear a lot less applause and a lot more questions and doubt.

 

I don’t remember there being any surprises in the TA, that wasn’t covered in the overview. And there were a lot of questions. Just my recollection.