My apologies for the cheap shot LAG, got you confused with someone else on here.

The company does want a LOA, but as I have said on here before, they don't need it.
I just agree with the negotiation committee that there is no more leverage there.

 

No need to apologize you probably got the right guy, want to hear my opinion on public employee unions and democrats lining each others pockets with money borrowed from my grandkids?

And I just disagree with the opinion of the NC that the company will be willing to come back to the table after we give away our leverage.

 

Good Beer(or should I say MEC proxy/ MEC member),

You do a nice job of isolating an opposing view here, but your argument about what happens to the super senior pilots still does not hold water.

It's a seniority system. What do you think will happen when Airbus SIBA and Sweetheart Senior International MD-11 trips no longer exist. If international trips cease to be worth the hassle the these pilots will take the best domestic trips and those domestic flyers who thought this T/A would not effect them will get their taste.

I am saying "no" to this T/A because I can't endorse the degredation in my bidpack for just 3%. I know the company needs to operate as efficiently as possible but my price is a little higher. also, I think you meant "moot" not "mute". Feel free to bash my spelling and run on sentences. gotta run.

 

I agree with that argument, the only thing I would offer is that unless you are in the B757, you have nothing to "block" by a no vote in the MD11. Your bidpack will be degraded or could be no matter the vote. The MD11 in HKG can be done without a yes vote.

I would agree that the B757 CGN would not open without the new LOA (unless of course France changes their position). So any B757 flying will remain in the regular bidpack which would be nice, for as long as that can last.

 

This is not just about "Super Senior Siba lines".

If you want to be informed as possible, spend a few minutes and look at your bidpack AND the bidpacks of other aircraft.

1. I am more familiar with the MD-11 (MEM based). We have various long commuter line trips that fly intra Asia (and to a smaller degree, intra Europe). These trips are usually single departure line trips (good for our large amount of commuters). If MD-10s are based in HKG, how many of these trips will continue? While I'm not big fan of these trips, they tend to go fairly senior. Obviously some people really like them, or at least don't like to commute.

2. Airbus and 757 lines. Notice the DDH international lines? Say goodbye to them. This is the best flying in their systems if you ask me, but we know we all have different likes/dislikes. They usually go senior if that tells you something. I didn't see a direct effect on 727 lines, but as always, $hit rolls downhill. And they are at the bottom of the hill.

3. If you are telling yourself that you don't like this type of flying or that you can't hold it anyway... These senior guys that will have to change their bidding strategy might just take your Boise line. When you mess with the top of the seniority, a domino effect usually occurs. What I am saying is that losing quality lines will effect all of us, no matter what your seniority number is.

4. Operational issues. Have you ever noticed what happens when someone gets sick in the field in Asia/Europe? There are mucho revisions afterward, many of which provide us with extra pay. Xtra DH pairings are produced to cover the changes. These are usually great trips that aren't productive (unless riding First Class is productive) and are very lucrative. If we have MD crews in Asia, how many of these do you think you will see. It happens much more often than you think.

5. So, as I see it, I am giving up quite a bit. The status quo works much better for me than this TA. The time value of a 3% raise is pennies compared with the better QOL and extra earnings I've seen with our system today. For the life of me, I can't see why anyone could consider signing a contract that reduces our lines and pilots required for a cost of living raise that we will probably see later anyway.

 

Oh come on, I gave LAX a pass on "Eyropean SIBA" yesterday..give a brother a brake....

 

But seriously, now the issue has changed from perceived FDA leverage that may be lost to screw those guys as long as it doesn't affect me?

Thats the idea that B scales are made of.

 

Not really.....unless its over beers in CGN, then by all means.

 

I've read a few of your post's and all I can think of is....."What are you smoking man?"

 

It was stated by someone else, but I think it is worth repeating. The crew force seemed to not want an FDA LOA in lieu of a TA. We now have this new term "bridge contract". If you look at this "bridge contract", to me it seems to be an FDA LOA along with a few minor things that the company has given us. That way it doesnt look like a stand alone FDA LOA, it looks like a ....."bridge contract"! Think about it.

On the last FDA LOA, our MEC and NC came up with a few new catch phrases like this. Looks like it might be happening again.

The only reason to have this "bridge contract" is due to the upcoming rule changes. Therefore, negotiate and incorporate into the TA everything that needs to be addressed. Then we can "bridge" on over to the work rule stuff when the time comes. Otherwise, they have their FDA items they want, and our bridge might be blown up.