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I don't see how even more money will make people suddenly "wake up" and start flying managed speeds vs. 0.81 everywhere, or single engine taxiing, or even something as simple as turning the seat belt sign off on a 6 hour flight for a change. I will say however, outside of their hatred of Parker & CO, they are absolutely the best guys one could ask to fly with, and the hate is limited toward the company not fellow employees.

A huge majority of guys at Airways-East have so much hate for their jobs and careers giving them DAL +infinity% wouldn't make them "raise the anchor" IMO.

It sucks, but that is the reality that I see. The phrase "cutting your nose off to spite your face" comes to mind.

I think we need to acknowledge that Parker seems to have a passion for his gig. He said somewhere on a crews news this was his "dream" - to run the largest airline in the world. I know it sounds corny, but it's rare that an airline CEO would care this much for enthusiasm for running a, well, airline. Most tend to not give a crap except about the money.

Pilots are greedy, and this thread is a great example of that. Granted, I'm a relatively new hire, and I want to be paid fairly, but don't want to strangle the golden goose here. Look at Spirit, Frontier, SWA, all rapidly expanding and taking market share. SWA now has a huge operation at LAX, they have a large operation in PHL, they own BWI which at one point was a hub for USAir, they are moving in and now going to S. America (which, while is a large AA operation, has a crumbling economy and we are losing money on it and service is being cut) not even mentioning the DAL Wright Amendment going away having a very real effect on us in our major hub, DFW. Spirit is doubling the fleet size they have today, which is double what they had 4 years ago. Frontier has changed tactics and is now becoming an ULCC.

What I'm trying to say is, whether we get large additional raises or not, sticking your fingers in your ears and saying FUPM to the company will most likely result in pilot jobs lost and downsizing of market share and profits, all bad things long term for those of us with 30+ years left here and those with only 10 years left as well. It's in our benefit to do what we can to make the company as profitable as it can be, regardless of current rates or DAL +infinity.

eaglefly

Not sure what you're saying here.

So, a couple of thousand East pilots are hopelessly angry. Well, 10,000 legacy AA pilots and perhaps a large contingent of West pilots could be added to the mix. The point being, Parker's opportunity to demonstrate he was serious about valuing labor relations including competitive compensation is still unwritten. Hopefully, he'll avoid the mistakes of the past.

Lost again, I'm afraid.

EMBFlyer

I don't know where you're based, but your experiences seem to be limited to just you.

I'm based in PHL and I'd say we have our share militant guys, but nothing like you're describing.

Everybody I fly with doesn't do .81 everywhere (unless it's a redeye home and even then, it's rare). Most guys fly managed speed. I'll give you that we're pretty lax on our single-engine taxi, but sometimes it's warranted to start both. I'm sorry, I don't feel all warm and fuzzy taxiing single-engine with a 321 weighing close to 200K out of the allies in PHL.

Most of the guys I fly with are pretty happy, seeing as they did get their first raise in over 15 years and they're happy things are moving in the right direction.

Again, what you write is not the norm...at least not with PHL AB Captains.

PRS Guitars

Agreed,

I'm on the 190, and every Captain I've flown with flies the standard speed and SE taxis. Also the mood I've seen, from Capts I fly with to crews I jumpseat with, seems to be optimistic.

TRZ06

I believe the extension is now approved for 60 more days. That would give the company until Dec 15th to come up with something. I think this delay is a big mistake, for management, the airline, and labor.
From the legacy side on the premier equipment and routes, most of us are doing our best to keep things on time and fuel efficient. News of "slow rolling" tactics to lessen our resolve for an ILC will soon start taking its toll on those of us that were hoping for better with Parker.
An arbitrated contract and less then desirable SLI will see things go back to the old way of operating. I am concerned that management doesn't see this window of opportunity for what it is... a one time chance to fix American. In direct opposition to comments of waiting for the flight attendant contract to be voted on, or seeing what Delta comes up with does not outweigh the negative ramifications of waiting. It is running out and absolutely nothing makes this delay
acceptable...nothing. Unfortunately if history is on my side, the MOU will rule the day due to the inaction of both sides. And when pilots lose respect for the operation, airline performance and service will suffer, and the future of AA will once again be in peril. Realizing this internet site mainly targets those starting airline careers or wanting to, these next few months will either make AA a good place to work at or one to avoid. I am not trying to scare anyone away either. I'm a couple hundred numbers from the top, the relatively content side of the equation. Talk to those who have the same amount of time left, 10-15 years or so, a few thousand down from the top. New airplanes or not, hiring or not, the bulk of our pilots are tired of waiting for progress in contract matters. These last few months have only been a reprieve from the past, waiting to see if we are dealt with (i.e. appreciated) any differently by this new team.
I'm not seeing it yet, and time is rapidly running out.

CaptainBigWood

The Airline Stocks are down about 30%, they may drop even more with Ebola and the softening world economy. Parker will use this to his advantage to attempt to keep us at substandard wages. Parker hates pilots and will keep control of his labor costs. Parker has never paid top wages. I am optimistic about American Airlines, I just don't expect it to ever be in the same league as Delta. Parker can still run a good airline with unhappy pilots.

TRZ06

Sad but true. We (APA) never have been able to seize the moment timing-wise. I suspect Parker and company will manage just as they did at US, paying as little as they can get away with. As far as running a "good" airline though, I imagine it will be cost efficient with competitive fares that will appease Wall Street but exhibit a very mediocre reputation at best. I agree we won't be another Delta now or in the future in any respect...and perhaps not even a United once they get their stuff together. I don't like it but I think you've hit the nail on the head in short order...unfortunately!

bassslayer

I think management is in a real pickle with this profit sharing situation. We are demanding to get back something we gave up while the flight attendants agreed (at least in the TA) to give it up. Now, if management were to agree to give it back to us, they know they would have to give it back to everyone at AA or risk a mutiny. If the APA were to back off the profit sharing ( I hope they dont) I think we would see JCBA progress very quickly

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PHL AB as well

I'm surprised, almost every guy I fly with does .81

I did fly with someone who, first time ever, actually step climbed. I was impressed!

EMBFlyer

Don't know who you're flying with, then. I'd say 20-25% of the guys I fly with fly in Selected Speed and 90% of the times they do that is because ATC adjusted our speed.

I've also step climbed quite a bit, too. As we get close to the point, I'll casually mention something like, "Hey, they've got us going to 340 over XXX." We both look at it and see how the rides are. If things are favorable, we go up. Half the time, though, either the rides are crummy higher, the airplane is still too heavy to go up or the Optimum says to stay where we are.