Spot on on all counts!

Go Gators:D

Very interesting second campaign letter from Jay Heppner. The first one was pure blather that said almost nothing and that apparently fell flat. This second letter takes a play out of Heidi's playbook. Especially this part:

Furthermore, the current ALPA leadership team has made comments about how the large passenger carriers have mature, rewarding contracts and that big overhauls aren’t in the cards. From my perspective, there will always be room for improvement in our members’ wages and working conditions. Some airline properties have only had one contract since their losses in the bankruptcy era. Furthermore, there are still significant issues for our brothers and sisters in the Fee For Departure world in the areas of pay, job security and career advancement. Let us also not forget that our cargo brethren operate in the shadow of the “cargo carve-out” on rest and have their total compensation under attack in negotiations. The one binding thread in our collective experience over the last 15 years is that we have all suffered. We made tremendous sacrifices to ensure our companies’ viability and now vigor. Why should we be satisfied when only a few among us have received recompense and restitution for our pain?

This is the first time I've heard Heppner separate himself from Kim Jong Moak. I'll bet the dear leader is not happy.

Carl

Well...the Tigers had better beat the Tigers, or else the Tigers could jump ahead of the Tigers, since the Ducks and the Tide lost! But boy the Tigers did look like crap, while the Tigers did look pretty sharp. I just hope the Tigers can keep it up and play the Noles again at the end of this season.

The Noles will remain on top of course, as it should be...for now.

My wife still says, 'Bobby Bowden for President!' :D

Does anyone know how the new playoffs are going to work?

Could the Tigers meet the Tigers again? :eek:

I told you last month very few pilots were going to participate. It is pretty apparent that the survey was ignored during C2012. Guess I'm not the only one that feels that way.

I understand that C2012 was disappointing to you. I really do. However the survey, in my opinion, is not so much a demand list as it is a priority list. For example, I would like trips that start late, end early, have long layovers, and pay a lot. But here is the problem; the company won't build trips that meet ALL of those parameters. However, we can have SOME of those parameters and the purpose of the survey is to determine what those "SOME" things are.

Believe me , I want "all" too. However, I accept that if I can't have "all" I should provide a prioritized list of what that "some" should be for me. Like CDOs. Anyone that doesn't fill out the survey has ZERO right to complain about CDOs. (I'm against them BTW) and indicated that in the survey.

Not to worry, Dear Leader KJ Moak clarified the "mature" comment yesterday with this:

"In collective bargaining, the current environment presents a prime opportunity for some of our members. Historically, flight crew negotiations that take place under the National Mediation Board have required three, four, or even more years to reach a contract at some carriers. So, what’s different now? The difference today is that many of the agreements that ALPA is and will be negotiating are “mature” contracts—that is, we are not starting from scratch. Many sections of the contracts have been through multiple negotiations. As a result, in this next round, we can work to narrow the discussion.

In 2008, as the financial system was collapsing, the U.S. Congress met and, in only a few weeks, negotiated, codified, and passed a bill that stabilized an entire industry and steadied our economy. In airline labor contracts, fewer issues should lead to shorter negotiations that are centered on the key items for pilots. This strategy promises to allow us to negotiate new contracts in much shorter timeframes and work to finish on or before the amendable date."

I'm sure he meant to say: "Our pay was gutted through BK and we've given a TON of productivity to the company these past 15 years (PBS, trip touch, ALV increases, higher reserve utilization during summer months, adding a reserve day, etc). Now that the big three (as well as most of the smaller airlines) are minting money we will not stop until we obtain work rules that increase quality of life while restoring your pay to what it was prior to BK. It's the right thing to do given the sacrifices our pilot group has made to save our company....and companies can afford it going forward. No more horse trading work rules for meager pay raises and we stand by the pledge our forebears fought so hard for....schedule with safety. Therefore we will not even begin to entertain the idea of Continuous Duty Overnights. That is all."

I'm stuned! Ariz State 38 USC 34 on a Hail Mary.

I flew a Florida State charter once, and was told that First Class was reserved for the Senior players. Everyone else, including Bobby Bowden, rode in back. :cool:

I just want to be heard and recorded. I agree that if you don't do it, you have Zero reason to rejoice or complain. I really can't imagine a Delta pilot not taking the time. Really Zero reason. Maybe some of the older guys that are sailing off....but even then why wouldn't you want to leave Delta better than you left it? If you can't find the time to vote...you get what you get.

I'm both a company guy and an ALPA guy. I love my job and I support my union. I choose to participate in the process. That means I fly as professionally and safely as I can...it also means that I loyally support our union and fight for what's best for me and my family. Delta has been good to me in my recent short term disability. ALPA has also been equally accommodating and supportive. There have been some hiccups but I'm really proud to represent both.