AMR to APA term sheet proposal
#41
Seriously that whole thing is awful.
NO minimum guarantee for a line holder?? Huh?
I hope you all fight this and especially hope you can work with the PBGC to not have your pensions dumped. At the very least there should be no reason why the pensions can't be "frozen" at current levels for the employees, especially the pilots who would take the biggest hit if they were terminated. Other airlines managed to freeze what they had without having them dumped. Of course many airlines also separated their pilot pensions from the other employees and froze or terminated only those. I'm cheering for the PBGC and the APA when it comes to your pensions. Pilots always seem to be the ones asked to give up the most.
NO minimum guarantee for a line holder?? Huh?
I hope you all fight this and especially hope you can work with the PBGC to not have your pensions dumped. At the very least there should be no reason why the pensions can't be "frozen" at current levels for the employees, especially the pilots who would take the biggest hit if they were terminated. Other airlines managed to freeze what they had without having them dumped. Of course many airlines also separated their pilot pensions from the other employees and froze or terminated only those. I'm cheering for the PBGC and the APA when it comes to your pensions. Pilots always seem to be the ones asked to give up the most.
"Counsel for American claims that it needs to kill its employees' pensions in order to be competitive with other major carriers," wrote Gotbaum.
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: MD88A
Posts: 309
This is wrong, he can not do whatever he wants. Scope relief is not on the table as it is against the law for a judge or management to interfere with workers right to organize. This is a fact of United States labor law.
There are a many cases of 1113(c) processes where management went after scope and the judge rejected the contract. However, in every single case the judge removed the scope relief section. This happened at my carrier Mesaba, the judge removed the scope relief section of our imposed contract. We were also barred from striking.
Any pilot who tells you scope is on the table is likely from an ALPA carrier. As best I can tell this lie originates from ALPA during the TWA/AMR merger several years ago. ALPA tried to sell out the TWA pilots by lying to them that a bankruptcy judge could abrogate their scope section and they should accept the APA agreement. ALPA was found guilty of doing this, this past summer.
There are a many cases of 1113(c) processes where management went after scope and the judge rejected the contract. However, in every single case the judge removed the scope relief section. This happened at my carrier Mesaba, the judge removed the scope relief section of our imposed contract. We were also barred from striking.
Any pilot who tells you scope is on the table is likely from an ALPA carrier. As best I can tell this lie originates from ALPA during the TWA/AMR merger several years ago. ALPA tried to sell out the TWA pilots by lying to them that a bankruptcy judge could abrogate their scope section and they should accept the APA agreement. ALPA was found guilty of doing this, this past summer.
Regardless, IMHO a negotiated settlement is much superior to an imposed one. Best of luck to AA - these will be tough times, stay off the forums and focus on what is important in your life.
#45
Check out www.restructuringamr.com. Under the section termed, "The Process", it has a sub-section that describes what occurs moving forward during 1113.
That being said, regardless of what occurs at this point, my perception is that Horton had one chance to make a first impression and this was it. Since 2003, these employees have arguably been subjected to being disregarded, disrespected and simply discounted to a level like no other domestic major carrier in the the U.S. by those that were supposed to inspire them. Additionally, selecting and then using as the hood ornament of the future of this carrier someone who has previously referred to pilots as "bricks in their backpack" to deliver this first impression has permanantly and irrepairably stained this carriers employees to a new level that I simply can't see the required trust and respect from the surviving front line employees (and certainly the pilots) for this carrier ever again. At least until the vast majority have quit or retired. Everyone expected significant sacrifices, but at least from the pilots situation, this was beyond comprehension. AA is setting itself up to become a pilot training mill specializing in 737 and Airbus type-ratings with a busy revolving door, with people more interested in what's down the road somewhere else, then what's in front of them while at AA.
The attempt to reinvent American Airlines is now virtually doomed IMO (at least to anything with a truly competitive product), regardless of new wrapping like a paint scheme changes or new uniforms, etc. The core of any great company are its people and the damage done over the last 10 years was extreme, but still salvagable...................until yesterday, when AMR drove a stake through their hearts once and for all. I think in retrospect, this will be looked upon as the final colassal error that altered American Airlines destiny. I previously stated my opinion that "American Airlines" was too iconic to die. The name may or may not die, but the spirit already has. It looks like there may be little concern of that as well, as apparently the future AA may be perfectly happy providing 50% of its domestic product with RJ's and outsourced to sub-contractors.
The real tragedy is not the obscene proposals that were made yesterday. The real tragedy is what it clearly shows about what is still driving AA forward into the future.............the same mindset and philosophy that drove it into the ground over the last decade.
THAT is the tragedy and it's undeniable.
That being said, regardless of what occurs at this point, my perception is that Horton had one chance to make a first impression and this was it. Since 2003, these employees have arguably been subjected to being disregarded, disrespected and simply discounted to a level like no other domestic major carrier in the the U.S. by those that were supposed to inspire them. Additionally, selecting and then using as the hood ornament of the future of this carrier someone who has previously referred to pilots as "bricks in their backpack" to deliver this first impression has permanantly and irrepairably stained this carriers employees to a new level that I simply can't see the required trust and respect from the surviving front line employees (and certainly the pilots) for this carrier ever again. At least until the vast majority have quit or retired. Everyone expected significant sacrifices, but at least from the pilots situation, this was beyond comprehension. AA is setting itself up to become a pilot training mill specializing in 737 and Airbus type-ratings with a busy revolving door, with people more interested in what's down the road somewhere else, then what's in front of them while at AA.
The attempt to reinvent American Airlines is now virtually doomed IMO (at least to anything with a truly competitive product), regardless of new wrapping like a paint scheme changes or new uniforms, etc. The core of any great company are its people and the damage done over the last 10 years was extreme, but still salvagable...................until yesterday, when AMR drove a stake through their hearts once and for all. I think in retrospect, this will be looked upon as the final colassal error that altered American Airlines destiny. I previously stated my opinion that "American Airlines" was too iconic to die. The name may or may not die, but the spirit already has. It looks like there may be little concern of that as well, as apparently the future AA may be perfectly happy providing 50% of its domestic product with RJ's and outsourced to sub-contractors.
The real tragedy is not the obscene proposals that were made yesterday. The real tragedy is what it clearly shows about what is still driving AA forward into the future.............the same mindset and philosophy that drove it into the ground over the last decade.
THAT is the tragedy and it's undeniable.
#46
The Scope clause of having the greater number of 255- or 50% mainline fleet in regional jets is interesting. At the current fleet size you would have 313 88 seat or smaller aircraft. Also the weight limit of 114,500 lb max take off weight is the E190's max take off weight.
If I may offer an opinion to this mess to the AA pilots. Please remember that any concession you guys give up will have consequences. Scope has the biggest consequence of all. If you keep a sizeable pay check and night over rides but have to give up scope, you wont have jobs to collect that pay check and over ride with. Jobs are more important than pay rates, PBS, or anything else on that list. Good luck guys.
#47
Last edited by Flyby1206; 02-02-2012 at 12:09 PM.
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: Reclined
Posts: 2,168
I don't remember if the judge can or cannot impose a contract. Last time around they could, but rules may have changed. The important point to me is that you're better off with no/imposed contract as opposed to something you agree to for 6 years. With no contract, I think your ability to seek self help is a lot better than now where the NMB sides with management.
Don't know all the legal ins and outs on this, so I'd like to learn more about it.
Carl
Don't know all the legal ins and outs on this, so I'd like to learn more about it.
Carl
#49
As I interpret this it would be simmilar to how continental pays pilots wide body, long narrow body etc. The pay is pretty dismall and makes airways pay look good. the pay rates for captain in a 88-117 seat aircraft (E-190) based off of current MD-80 rates would be $75-$110. the captain of a 319/737-700 would be maxing (based off of current FO 767/777 rates) $83-$139. since these are Captain rates I wonder what the FO rates would be.
The Scope clause of having the greater number of 255- or 50% mainline fleet in regional jets is interesting. At the current fleet size you would have 313 88 seat or smaller aircraft. Also the weight limit of 114,500 lb max take off weight is the E190's max take off weight.
If I may offer an opinion to this mess to the AA pilots. Please remember that any concession you guys give up will have consequences. Scope has the biggest consequence of all. If you keep a sizeable pay check and night over rides but have to give up scope, you wont have jobs to collect that pay check and over ride with. Jobs are more important than pay rates, PBS, or anything else on that list. Good luck guys.
The Scope clause of having the greater number of 255- or 50% mainline fleet in regional jets is interesting. At the current fleet size you would have 313 88 seat or smaller aircraft. Also the weight limit of 114,500 lb max take off weight is the E190's max take off weight.
If I may offer an opinion to this mess to the AA pilots. Please remember that any concession you guys give up will have consequences. Scope has the biggest consequence of all. If you keep a sizeable pay check and night over rides but have to give up scope, you wont have jobs to collect that pay check and over ride with. Jobs are more important than pay rates, PBS, or anything else on that list. Good luck guys.
Here is a direct quote from the proposal;
"Max number of commuter aircraft allowed, that are greater than 50 seats up to and including 88 seats, is the greater of 255 or 50% of mainline aircraft."
"Company may enter into and maintain codeshare agreements, with Domestic Air Carriers."
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 254
OK no surprise here!! Big disappointment to say the least. Some say negotiate, some say go for the judges rule, personally, I say roll the dice and let the judge impose his ruling, which will look similar to the company's proposal, exit chap 11, then go for self-help. I really don't want a 6 year piece of crap contract. amazing how the company for what 5-6 years was unable or should say unwilling to come to an agreement, yet we can get it done now in 30 days. Just goes to show how the RLA negotiations process is broke. Yes I know RLA is broke, but still would go for the self-help program after exiting BK.. AMR is not making any freinds in Washington these days, so I believe the employees will gain some sympathy, and would get a contract within 2 years. Better than giving the farm away for 6. The Guys friggin high
DO NOT SIGN ANY LONG TERM DOMESTIC CODE SHARE AGREEMENTS. Or you might as well call us JetBlue or Alaska.
Howz that for a rambling post.
DO NOT SIGN ANY LONG TERM DOMESTIC CODE SHARE AGREEMENTS. Or you might as well call us JetBlue or Alaska.
Howz that for a rambling post.
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