JJ,

Like I said in my last post I'm one of those guys that actually reads TA's BEFORE I vote on them. In a perfect world the MEC would send us copies to read BEFORE the Roadshow (maybe we could ask intelligent questions?). Obviously, I failed to make my point.

This time I'll try to speak slowly ... please try to focus.

My point was, and still is, that we should be able to attend a Roadshow and get an honest evaluation of the overall TA including the good points, the bad points and anything else that has changed. My experience has been that Roadshows are for the Union to highlight the good things ONLY (they worked hard to get those good things and they are VERY proud of them, especially when it contains special good deals for them only!). If there are bad things ... well, sorry but you'll have to research that yourself?

Please NC and MEC ... no more special deals for anyone over 53 years old that doesn't apply to everyone equally!*? And please, no more special A380 pay deals (in exchange for the 757 being classified as a narrowbody? How'd that work out?) because the MEC will be senior enough to get that pay.

And last but not least ... if AGE 60 is age discrimination why isn't age 75? Think of how much money the Company could save in retirement benefits if ALPA endorsed that idea (the Japanese are already talking about AGE 68, slippery slope?). Where is FauxHunter and APAAD when we need them? I have several pilot friends that retired 10 years ago at 60 years old. Some of them are now too confused to drive (CRS disease!) and they can't hear sh*t. I WANT TO FLY WITH THEM!

Legal disclaimer; I'm currently receiving LTD benefits which pays better than our retirement. I can stay in that status until I reach the Regulated Age and have to retire. 3 of my grandparents lived into their late 90's, I vote for AGE 100!*?

 

I think it is simply human nature to emphasize the positive points gained in negotiation versus emphasizing what we failed to achieve in negotiations.

I do think it is better for those on the outside to read a TA and post the good\bad and their thoughts on social media. All of us on the outside looking in don't have the same emotional buy in those on the NC and MEC have. And, it's quite obvious the company pays attention to Social Media-simply have to think back to LOA 1 and how the negative comments on this board resulted in dramatic improvements to the "best" BC could achieve for us.

Retro pay, awhile back Tony C had a good discussion on how accounting rules have changed in recent years. So, as nice and as easy it would be for a corporation to write a program implementing retro pay-it's going to be a bonus of some sort. And to be honest, in a way I don't want it to truly be retro pay based upon earnings. I know that I for one have not been one of the hours *****s, and I would prefer that they not gain any more dollars after filling so many of the mgt's shortcomings with pilot shortages and vacay buybacks. Or the odd guy who's been upset that his M\U bank is limited to a minus 6 CH each month and the trade up provision is limited to 12 CH, so, yes, flying an extra 18 CHs each month because the Union hasn't said not to.

Very frustrating for me in that couldn't quite get him to see that there are things the Union simply can't say right now.

 

I think there is a lesson learned for the block reps in the current Delta vote. The MEC voted 11-8 to send the TA out for member ratification but did not endorse it. Now the powers that be are in the hard sell mode to encourage passage. So if you are a FO block rep represent your block, once you send it out for ratification all of those promises the leadership made to you are no longer enforceable.

 

First, Retro Pay is usually just straight guarantee.

Also, the Header says expectations.

$335 an Hour Jan 01, 2016

6 weeks Vacation after 25 yos

Better Hotel and Catering language.

Better Retirement.

Trip-Rig of 3.5 to 1

Overtime Pay for over 75 hours Credit. Like everyone else gets. Rampers, Mechanics, etc.

 

Half of us won't see 25 years with the company, I see no reason give anything up to encourage guys to stick around longer.

 

My expectations.

I expect to pleased with some parts of our next contract and disappointed with other parts

 

Your point was my point exactly. That was why I felt that each guy read the entire TA, so that he or she can zero in on his/her hot ticket items, so they can better determine the worthiness of the TA.

Mark, my comments, although addressed to you, weren't meant for you. As you had said, you actually read the last TA. I knew that because I had read and focused on your last post. I was suggesting that everyone read the full document for themselves, so that they could be fully informed about the good, the bad, and yes, the ugly aspects of the upcoming TA. Those who only accept anothers' interpretation of the TA are doomed to be sadly disappointed. Now if everyone had the exact same expectations, you could probably get by with a mass briefing/road show. However, as you know, everyone has their own hot spots, determined by their time at the company, their age, their seat and aircraft, their marital status, their seniority, and many other variables. No road show could possibly address everyone's hot spots.

 

I definitely agree that everyone should carefully read the TA. However, I would really appreciate it if people put their comments about it on APC. There are things that many of us might not notice or understand, that someone else could point out and clarify. I'm hoping this TA is written in clear English (unlikely).

 

This TA? What TA?

My hope is that our management will become enlightened and bring enough to the table that our Neg Comm can bring us a TA. We may very well never get to the point that we have to worry about TA roadshows.

 

So 52% 48% vote will be good for you.