Viking,

Haven't seen ya at the pad in awhile.

The # is the current plug not a prediction of what it will be bro.

ACL,

Thanks for the input, and I understand what you are saying, but I still think some prediction is possible in the most junior of categories. I think for those of my "juniority" there is some prediction of how far you can fall on the MD. Theoretically worst case...if you don't want to be on the -9 then you can't be involuntarily if you aren't in the bottom 364, and that assumes that everyone on the -9 and 88NYC wants to and can leave (DTW9 111 + NYC88 101 + MSP9 113 + MEM9 39 = 364 presuming those are the most junior categories). Granted it is a guess as to which categories are most junior and the farther you get from the most junior category the more error, and that's why I was asking for input on the bottom of the list. What I'm trying to do is get the categories as close as I can and then add in a factor of those likely to want to stay in those categories and attempt to compute an MD prediction of "how far you might fall". I agree that lots o movement makes it very difficult to be accurate, but I think it is worth a try.

Thanks...Philly

I was thinking this way too. But what about the phantom 98 slots or so that we are short. Depending on which categories the company decides to run short would affect how your math works woudn't it.

Were those all B's that you posted? Do the A positions factor into your calculations? I mean because, I think the bottom 744 B or 777B might not want to touch NYC M88 or DTW DC9. Those will still probably be pretty junior, bottom of the list, right?

There is no link to any "me-too" agreement that doesn't go through the company. Whether it's voluntary or contractual, they seem to get a lot of the good things we get. It's not always diserved, but it's also truly a problem between the company and the F/A's. If they want to give them anything, it doesn't belong n our liability column. It's simply not our problem. To suggest we need to factor in what the company will do to a third party as a result of our agreements is beyond the scope of what we negotiate. It's not our problem, it's not our fault, it's not our concern. Period.

Iceman and others have made coherent and eloquent arguments as to why the F/A's should be unionized. I understand that it's logical considering your experience with management, to believe that it's best for all employee groups to do this. I'm sure you have a picture in your mind of what a generic flight attendant might act like, and you have a good idea as to how the North F/A's behave. So, it might lead you to conclude you know these guys and gals working on the South side. I submit to you there something a little... different about the culture below the shoe line. Based on what I see from this larger group, they might make a terrible union. I think they may be bad for themselves, and even bad for us. I can't predict whether they'd be more likely to crumble in a strike, or take the airline down out of spite, and I don't think they would know themselves. I do know that talking to some of them about self-determination, and how it should be used, is a little like talking to a chicken about a computer.

So I remain convinced that you need to let the F/A's sort it out among themselves. You need to work a while with the South F/A's, and the two F/A groups need to work together as well, before forming an opinion. Once that happens, then maybe this will be a more productive discussion.

New,
Yes. I was only looking at the most junior Bs and didn't spend much time on the more senior B categories. Since we are talking most junior categories, they are not a factor for the A postion. That's one reason why it gets really tough the farther from the bottom you attempt. I really am only trying to get a hold on the bottom 5 or 6 categories for the B side. Thanks for the question. I've been talking to myself lately and needed some Qs from others to make corrections. I think I'm pretty much going to get a close to worst case scenario for the close, but not quite bottom folks (yet).

Philly.

Good point. I think what you may mean is that some of the -9 might be left vacant for the pulldown of the -30s/-40s. Hmm. If that is the case, the fall would be better than predicted (wouldn't fall as far). If you mean in other places which certainly is possible it will be tough to predict. Need to think about this one. Thanks for the question/point.

Philly

Ok. Here's a question for you that might help you along. What do you think is going to happen to those M88/90 positions A & B in MSP since the MSP 320 spots will have so few displacements? I think it might go junior.

Anybody online who knows the Airtran jumpseat procedure?
We just go to the gate or call a number or what?
Thanks

Hey guys

I need a refresher on how to list golden days for my schedule next month. This reserve stuff is blowing my mind.

If you look at those who have MEM in their AE, my guess is it will go a lot senior than you have listed and certainly more senior than it has in the past. Also, there are those displacing out of ATL that probably have it on their MD.