It is sad so few mainline pilots understand the foundation of the labor movement, the legal structure we collectively bargain in and our history.

ALPA's attorneys make the point that we are not exclusively engaged as pilot labor for Delta Air Lines. They are technically correct. ALPA is the exclusive bargaining agent (not the Delta MEC) and after a decade of fighting ASA and Comair's attempts to get to the table with Delta, ALPA reversed it's position and authorized Comair, then Pinnacle, to also write contracts directly with our parent Corporation.

This is not a legal question. ALPA is empowered to do what they did and within the senior leadership of our union I have little doubt (although I don't know) that they saw these agreements as beneficial to (or at least not harmful) to the interests of the Delta pilots. The law is clear; ALPA can authorize other parties to come to the table and ALPA has done so.

With ALPA we have a great deal of influence (if not control) over this exclusive bargaining agent. We would not wield the same influence if part of an independent union, or M-ALPA. In fact, most regionals would love to see us be gone, leaving them in control of ALPA.

That is not to say we are barred from an exclusive relationship with Delta. If we want that we simply need to negotiate that provision into our pilot working agreement. Doing so is a political decision. Perhaps more pragmatically, we might want to negotiate a provision which reads like our Joint Venture language ... that management will proactively engage our MEC before entering into deals with anyone else. We need to then leave the choice to our MEC as to whether they want to be involved. There might be some ugly negotiations in the express flying world that we don't want to have any part of.

In a perfect World (which I believe we should work toward) ALPA would provide the structure for us to come together with other pilot groups, form a common strategy, and present a single unified front to airline management.

Our MEC's exclusion from the Pinnacle bargaining was a wake up call. We do not want our management striking deals with other pilot groups. Our MEC is taking a look at the issue and IMHO their AHRS is properly aligned.

Some Reps are concerned about the perception that they might be bucking the system to try to establish a sort of contractual "proactive engagement" with Delta management that says the Delta pilots will always be given the opportunity to participate in negotiations which involve Delta system flying. As much as ALPA wants you to lobby your politicians, I implore you to lobby your ALPA Reps and support them ... tell them you want an agreement with Delta Air Lines requiring our engagement when management enters negotiations for Delta system flying.

Our MEC meeting next week may be critical. So Sink, Hawaii and others, be engaged. Write and talk to all the Reps in your council.

We're probably going to see another merger. We know Joint Ventures are going to be negotiated over the Pacific and the Atlantic (at least the English Channel). Now is an excellent time to codify "proactive engagement."

 

I always enjoy the insight and analysis, Bar. Thanks.

 

We need a union that supports major airline pilot jobs. It can't do that and support the outsourcing of low paying entry level positions. thats a conflict of interest and what most of the debate has been about. I see it more as a division of ALPA into major and regional branches and the eventual dissolution of the regional branch. Power equals high numbers of highly paid dues paying members. The alternative will be the constant effort to form independent, airline specific unions.

 

I don't see a reason for any Delta Airlines pilot to be upset with Delta Airlines management making a deal with Pinnacle. Delta Airlines owns Pinnacle, when you negotiate a contract you negotiate with the management that owns the company. Granted it was not official but as we can see Delta Airlines took ownership. So why do you believe the Delta Airlines MEC should of been represented? How did your MEC not being at negotiations effect your contract? I am not trying to be confrontational I just want to know why the pilots of Delta Airlines would be upset over the deal management made with a pilot group they own.

 

We do Delta's flying, and are guaranteed to do Delta's flying, except for specific exceptions. That flying can be increased, or decreased, by mutual consent. Now Delta has elected to negotiate with a third party, to guarantee them a portion of the exception. Which puts us in a situation where trying to negotiate away that excepted flying would conflict with Endeavor's contract. That's the problem.

There is a third party in there that doesn't belong.

 

Imagine if this was a US carrier. We are one vote away from this happening as long as we prevent foreign ownership and cabotage.



Norwegian considers basing long-haul division in Ireland
Print
By: MICHAEL GUBISCH LONDON 04:17 7 Aug 2013 Source:

Norwegian is applying for a permanent Irish air operator's certificate for its new long-haul division, as the Scandinavian low-cost carrier prepares for the first intercontinental deployment of its Boeing 787 on 15 August.

The Irish Aviation Authority has issued a temporary AOC for Norwegian's long-haul arm, which launched on 30 May, with two wet-leased Airbus A340s, and operates flights to New York's JFK airport and Bangkok. But that certificate - which is being used to operate the airline's 787s - will expire by year-end.

Now, the Oslo-based carrier is "in the process" of applying for a permanent AOC in Ireland to be able to employ international crew members. The airline wants to recruit flight attendants from Thailand, which would not be possible if the aircraft were registered at home as Norwegian law prohibits the employment of staff from outside the European Economic Area.

The carrier has international pilots, but the flightcrew need to be employed on Norway-based terms and conditions. This would also become more flexible under Irish regulations.

Norwegian says that it would like to operate all aircraft from Norway, but the country's strict rules and regulations prevent it from competing against other carriers with fewer limitations. The carrier adds that it had been considering different countries to its long-haul division, including Sweden, before it eventually opted for Ireland.

Also under consideration is relocation of the long-haul division's headquarters to Ireland, as it would not be legally possible for a Norway-based airline to permanently operate aircraft under another country's AOC. The carrier insists, however, that the licence transfer to Ireland applies only to the long-haul division and not the group's short-haul mainstay.

The first of eight 787-8s ordered by Norwegian was delivered at the end of June. The aircraft has been deployed on European routes for pilot familiarisation.

Norwegian is planning to employ the type on Stockholm-Bangkok route for the first time on 15 August. The aircraft is scheduled to fly to New York the next day.

 

THIS^^^^

This is why PAC is so important. We are only protected from this kind of shenanigans as long as our lawmakers don't do something stupid. ALPA and ALPA PAC are our best, and arguably only defense, against this and other similar threats.

If you're not concerned, you're not paying attention. Cabotage, foreign ownership, foreign basing of operations, etc are all knocking on the door. Whether you favor ALPA or not, you need to be paying attention and contributing to the PAC. It's the only influence we have in a very large game - and even that might not be enough.

The whole RJ conflict of interest pales in comparison to what's happened at Quantas. PM me if you want to talk in person about what we are trying to do to combat this. You can't afford to sit on the sidelines while this is being hashed out.

 

As long as we get Thai FA's

 

Ok. I just came across a record for me. I see someone using a buddy pass from a June 1938 hire. Wow.

I've flown with the #1 FA, but I thought he was hired in the 1940's. Who has him beat?

 

It could be a retiree. They get buddy passes too. Assuming they were hired at 18, that would make them 93 years old.