Originally Posted by Check Essential (Post 1715778)

Interesting. A lot of the old screen names showing up.
It would appear that the DALPA posters have received their instructions.

It looks like the union guys are going to hand us an out of seniority early retirement program to solve yet another problem for management and we are going to get zilch in return.

The talking points to explain away this astounding surrender of our negotiating leverage are starting to take shape. The problem is the talking points are bizarre and don't withstand scrutiny.

We are being asked to believe we really have no leverage because displacements off the top seat at the airline don't cause a training cascade. Yeah right.
And then at the same time we are being told that this early retirement program for only a targeted few is actually good for us because otherwise those guys are going to move down and fill seats that more junior pilots could be filling.
Well which is it? It can't be both.

And then sailingfun pulls out the most bizarre argument. There's no reason we shouldn't do it if management is willing to "fund" it. Leaving out the fact that it is actually being "funded" by the enormous amount of money they save by not having to train a bunch of 747 captains on a new jet only to see them all retire six months later anyway and then have to train their replacements.

Our union has become disoriented. They need to stop listening so much to management and the Moakists and refocus on the membership. It is not DALPA's mission to solve problems for the company. It is to enhance the pay and benefits of the pilots. And that means all the pilots. Not just a handful of 747 captains.

Happy LABOR DAY.

Originally Posted by badflaps (Post 1715746)

As I sit here in TYS waiting for the 05:40, an Eagle skipper just walked by, no tie and gray white lace tennies. Atta boy.....

Originally Posted by forgot to bid (Post 1715780)

He's been in captivity for too long.

Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1715791)

Get real, how much money do you think is involved in training 40 Captains? Most of the costs are fixed. Your saying if the company offers a ER program in seniority order and fully funds the incentives in the program we should tell them to stick it unless they give us more? The cost for the ER program is almost certain to exceed the training costs. The company will simply say fine we won't do the program. A displacement bid will be posted the next day.

Originally Posted by Flamer (Post 1715797)

In seniority for all pilots, no problem. For 747A only, big problem.

Originally Posted by Colganguy (Post 1715776)

Betting on this advice, if true I am not eligible for any trips so far. Although, 4 people in the bucket (including me) and 4 open trips. 2 are complete crap while the other 2 are not bad. Don't want to fly but was thinking about yellow slipping the good trips.

Originally Posted by Bucking Bar (Post 1715756)

Next month, we'll start distribution next month ... or the month after.

I've been one year away from a good deal my entire career, ... and one month away from an electronic flight bag for the last year.

Originally Posted by Gomerglideslope (Post 1715674)

So, no substantive response to my question (in that you didn't disappoint)... Nonetheless I will reply to your question: Moak's comments in the long run neither hurt nor help our cause. I have little interest in anyone's extemporaneous views about where we stand. I know where the market is, I know where the economy is trending, I have some sense of what wall street thinks of our enterprise going forward; I am familiar with the SWA contact , I know what AA/USA and UCAL pilots are doing, I know what the price of oil is, and the cost of a gallon a gas and a loaf of bread...I know what the unemployment rate is and I know that our current commander in chief is largely feckless and weak in the face of a grave international threat-but I digress (if only we had Romney or David Cameron at the helm).... None of the aforementioned will manage my expectations, nor degrade my estimation of what we are worth. In the end, there will be negotiations, threats, promises, and at some point presumably a TA. As always, I will evaluate whatever is agreed upon, and I will cast my vote. If I am with the majority I will be happy, if with the minority not so much...in either case, I shall endeavor to persevere.

Originally Posted by Check Essential (Post 1715778)

Interesting. A lot of the old screen names showing up.
It would appear that the DALPA posters have received their instructions.

It looks like the union guys are going to hand us an out of seniority early retirement program to solve yet another problem for management and we are going to get zilch in return.

The talking points to explain away this astounding surrender of our negotiating leverage are starting to take shape. The problem is the talking points are bizarre and don't withstand scrutiny.

We are being asked to believe we really have no leverage because displacements off the top seat at the airline don't cause a training cascade. Yeah right.
And then at the same time we are being told that this early retirement program for only a targeted few is actually good for us because otherwise those guys are going to move down and fill seats that more junior pilots could be filling.
Well which is it? It can't be both.

And then sailingfun pulls out the most bizarre argument. There's no reason we shouldn't do it if management is willing to "fund" it. Leaving out the fact that it is actually being "funded" by the enormous amount of money they save by not having to train a bunch of 747 captains on a new jet only to see them all retire six months later anyway and then have to train their replacements.

Our union has become disoriented. They need to stop listening so much to management and the Moakists and refocus on the membership. It is not DALPA's mission to solve problems for the company. It is to enhance the pay and benefits of the pilots. And that means all the pilots. Not just a handful of 747 captains.

Happy LABOR DAY.

Originally Posted by Roadkill (Post 1715608)

Ok, "Last Weekend of Summer" kind of thing, who else is out there doing BBQ???
My travel plans got cancelled due to sick kid and wife this morning, but I'm trying to make the best of it with a nice holiday cookout.

So, ribs and lemon-garlic chicken on the smoker; baked beans; corn on the cob; mixed salad;
-- Blue Moon, Shocktop lemon-shandy, Murphy's Irish Stout, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sam Adams Lager and Octoberfest, Bud Lime, Newcastle Werewolf, Paulaner Weizenbier, Franziskaner Ur-Weizen...

All available, but can probably only do three... which to have, which to have???

Let's hear some holiday BBQ "enjoying life" posts for a change-up hey??
;)

Originally Posted by badflaps (Post 1715743)

Who amongst us hasn't put their feet on the instrument panel and shut off the hydraulics, just as they are trying to close the back stairs..