I think the basic argument was that giving the concessions will somehow help the company be able to go after new work. Of course, that is total BS. The company decides if they want to go after new work or not. They also decide who will get the new work.

I think a similar argument could be made about an endless list of possible concessions. For example, reducing captain pay rates could help the company be more competitive going after new work. Eliminating the business class of better international travel clause could help. Adding more work days per month could help. I don't see the union offering those solutions. I'm NOT suggesting they should do that. Only providing examples.

Why are they sacrificing the furloughed pilots to “help the company be more competitive?” Rhetorical question by the way.

I think voting no will help.

Please do not give the company a single staffing advantage of any type (this LOA, vacation buy-backs, open flying, etc) until every furloughed ABX pilot has had the opportunity to accept or decline a recall to ABX.

Very well said. Vote no!!!!

Hey guys. ATSG has plans they aren't telling us about.

Remember this statement from the West Atlantic AB press release “The agreement is expected to close on Jan 2, 2014....ATSG will disclose additional information about the investment in its year-end 10K filing.”? That year-end 10K will be released around the end of Feb or the beginning of March.

There are some big changes going on at ATI.

This LOA makes me feel like I'm playing a game of poker and I've been told I have to place my bet without looking at my cards but my friend across the table gets to see his cards.

Here's a suggestion for the negotiating team. Tell your buddies across the table the ballot for the LOA will close one week after the year-end 10K is released. In other words, “we're not placing our bet till we get to see our cards too.” If they say they can't wait that long to furlough, then tell them “do what you gotta do.”

Of the four elements in this LOA three are good for the group
No furlough, upgrades, actually taking time off which is the number one
complaint I hear constantly. Dual Qual is a concession however it requires
Captain pay and is eliminated in no more than ten months.
Vote as you see fit but I see this being well received out on the line

A furloughed pilot voting no on this seems to be cutting off their nose to spite their face.

If you think for one second that voting no will increase your chances of returning to work before the 7 years is up, I believe you are sadly mistaken.

I believe that if we vote this down, management will be in full face saving mode and will lock down ANY recalls until the 7 year mark is past. It doesn't matter how much they have to spend in JRM, they will never recall and admit they were wrong for furloughing.

On the other hand, if we upgrade the 5 guys and keep the other 7 employed, we give them the opportunity to go after new business, grow the company and recall. A win for all involved.

Any current Captain voting no on this will continue to see the JRM beatings as you get no relief with 5 new Captains.

Why do you think they want to have dual qualified Captains at ABX? It's so they can avoid having to recall First Officers.

Guys. Wake up. They will have to upgrade those 5 captains anyway. They can't furlough 12 First Officers. They don't have enough as it is. If a few greedy %$*($*s would quit bidding open time they would probably even have to recall a few.

If you guys think you have a say in what the company is going to do, YOU ARE WRONG! Just ask your buddies at ATI. You'll never find a more “management cooperative” group of pilots. ATI is getting ready to lose half their fleet. Every Captain they have is dual qualified.

Don't try to sell out your brothers for promises and lies. If you guys start to cave now, just think how much fun management is going to have with you during contract negotiations.

You simply don't understand the math here. It will in no way prevent the recall of even ONE person. TJ explained it very well on the conference call. If you did not hear it, then call him or tune in for tomorrow's call.

Fuzzy math.

Lies and deception.