Originally Posted by alfaromeo

When the APA negotiated their MOU transition agreement, they included a set of parameters for their JCBA. I believe that they agreed to a limit of $80 million of additional contractual benefit for the JCBA. They have 4+ years left on the deal so that is about $20 million per year. If they can't reach agreement in 30 days, it goes to mandatory arbitration with Rich Bloch or Ira Jaffe.

That being said, the APA has probably noticed that Delta just added $40 million per year to a contract that already was far ahead of their MOU deal. My guess is that they are going to try to continue their new proactive engagement strategy with their management and see if they can get some deal better than the one called for in the MOU. AMR management has the ability to force compliance with the MOU (through arbitration) but perhaps they want to continue to develop a new relationship with the APA and the pilots and will agree to more improvements.

The primary problem the APA faces is they tried to stiff arm negotiations through the bankruptcy. They had their contract rejected and faced the loss of their bankruptcy claim. The second deal they negotiated added little if any value to their contract it mostly shuffled the chairs around. That left them with a horrible scheduling section, especially reserve, that was essentially crammed down their throats. They would probably need somewhere around $80-100 million per year just to reach the Delta reserve system. If you remember, the Delta scheduling/reserve system was negotiated over a period of about 10 months in 2004 prior to bankruptcy. Most of that system was created according to the parameters set by the union and not the company. The APA didn't really engage in negotiations until the last few weeks and thus lost control of the process.

One could assume that much of the value (either the MOU amount or some larger amount if possible) would go to their scheduling and reserve system. That means there would be little left for pay rates.

In the end, any value they add is good for us. They APA is definitely trying a new tack and are developing a better business relationship with their management. It seems like AMR is trying to turn that corner also, so there is reason to hope that they will exceed the MOU value in their JCBA negotiations.

Originally Posted by Roadkill

Well, I'll never see a new NB in my career I don't think. I'd actually be pretty happy with the 737 if they could just add these:
1. temp controls that worked and you set a tube temp (78F) and it automatically held it. And move the main controls back to the cabin so those who feel it can tweak it!
2. Place to store my bag! Just increase the size of that cockpit bag storage a wee bit, 1" horiz and 2" vertically would do... EASILY DONE if you'd just move that stupid fire extinguisher up on the bulkhead behind Capt seat.
3. Fix the stupid intercom/FLT thing so you can wear a headset and talk to the other guy without uncovering your ear and going deaf, or having to reach down and push the actual MIC switch in wrong direction to chat every time. Voice activated like every single motorcycle helmet setup and light GA plane.
4. Put the FMS button brightness control for MY FMS on MY FMS... not on a single control that tweaks allllll the other switches. With 900 buttons being different than 800/700 FMS buttons, I actually have to be able to read the things at night now to hit the right ones... and the left seat guy's idea of what's good never seems to work.
5. Redo the autothrottle control algorithm to a "never exceed" control algorithm for the redline zipper... the closer you get to the zipper, the more agressive it is at staying on bug or below, NOT drifting higher to within a knot of MX overspeed.
6. Fix the dang toilet seats to stay up when lifted.
7. soft rubber covers for those switches on the overhead I always bang my head on when standing up.

That's it. Some small tweaks would make the thing livable.

Originally Posted by alfaromeo

When the APA negotiated their MOU transition agreement, they included a set of parameters for their JCBA. I believe that they agreed to a limit of $80 million of additional contractual benefit for the JCBA. They have 4+ years left on the deal so that is about $20 million per year. If they can't reach agreement in 30 days, it goes to mandatory arbitration with Rich Bloch or Ira Jaffe.

That being said, the APA has probably noticed that Delta just added $40 million per year to a contract that already was far ahead of their MOU deal. My guess is that they are going to try to continue their new proactive engagement strategy with their management and see if they can get some deal better than the one called for in the MOU. AMR management has the ability to force compliance with the MOU (through arbitration) but perhaps they want to continue to develop a new relationship with the APA and the pilots and will agree to more improvements.

The primary problem the APA faces is they tried to stiff arm negotiations through the bankruptcy. They had their contract rejected and faced the loss of their bankruptcy claim. The second deal they negotiated added little if any value to their contract it mostly shuffled the chairs around. That left them with a horrible scheduling section, especially reserve, that was essentially crammed down their throats. They would probably need somewhere around $80-100 million per year just to reach the Delta reserve system. If you remember, the Delta scheduling/reserve system was negotiated over a period of about 10 months in 2004 prior to bankruptcy. Most of that system was created according to the parameters set by the union and not the company. The APA didn't really engage in negotiations until the last few weeks and thus lost control of the process.

One could assume that much of the value (either the MOU amount or some larger amount if possible) would go to their scheduling and reserve system. That means there would be little left for pay rates.

In the end, any value they add is good for us. They APA is definitely trying a new tack and are developing a better business relationship with their management. It seems like AMR is trying to turn that corner also, so there is reason to hope that they will exceed the MOU value in their JCBA negotiations.

Originally Posted by EdGrimley

Thanks for the insight. Here's to hoping the American Pilots can raise the bar. I do think Doug Parker will want to keep labor relations positive and could throw some bones. Time will tell.

Welcome back Alpha.

Originally Posted by GogglesPisano

How will Airbus developing a 330neo help sales of it's 350? Aren't they basically targeting the same market?

Originally Posted by EdGrimley

Thanks for the insight. Here's to hoping the American Pilots can raise the bar. I do think Doug Parker will want to keep labor relations positive and could throw some bones. Time will tell.

Welcome back Alpha.