Not by itself... no. But sailingfun has dedicated a huge amount of his posts trying to minimize the numbers we would need for restoration or parity with SWA, etc. If I didn't actually know who he is in real life, I would swear it's RA himself posting on here. Like I said, hopefully it's not working. But when a person continually throws out slanted/partial info that would lead one to think we're doing pretty well already and that we don't need all that much going forward, he is appearing to attempt to manage expectations. Some might read that and think, "well, this guy sounds like he knows what he's talking about" and then, voila, you have lowered expectations. Like you said, most of our pilots are more savvy than that. But there are also those who in the past have appeared to let DALPA think for them. I remember the bag stickers from a while back that said, "My union speaks for me." It's that mentality that is disturbing in light of our situation today.

I propose a new bag sticker now (although it probably wouldn't do much good since we don't have flight bags anymore): "My unions squeaks for me." That sounds more like it, unfortunately! :D

No, they were jumpseating to first class resorts for "meetings" while the rest of us get to go to dumps like the new MCO short layover.

Yah right....our MEC reps spend all their time wearing togas, having Roman slave girls popping grapes into their mouths whilst slave boys wave giant roc feathers over their heads.

YOU, on the other hand, between slave assignments pulling oars on a slaver galley and being tortured on the rack by management (with MEC cooperation), have all the answers--none specific mind you, but something along the lines of "ALPA sucks, blah blah blah"

Sounds like a CP...not in my crew lounge!

Can someone explain why this argument about openers is interesting?

Nothing has happened. Isn't this like arguing about what color antlers look good on a Unicorn? I mean, it doesn't exist, at least not yet.

Can we wait until there is news, to fight about the news?

Bacon ... More Bacon ... looking forward to your Friday night post.

Significant pay gains--at least 20% the first year, work rule changes like min day EVERY day on the trip (5:15 min), better reserve rules (min pay 75 hours for reserve, maybe more like 78 for short call only, etc), tightening of SCOPE (JVs, RJs), and adding to the DC fund, better sick leave, etc. You know the deal, yet you want me to spell it out for you. The key here is that 4000+ have signed the card already to be a donut, and ALPA gets 6500 or so to do the Contract survey. They don't know if any of those 6500 or so are donut wannabees, so they have to be careful because if only another 2500 or so are needed to force a vote and maybe ALPA could lose $35 million a year in dues, it could be catastrophic for the union itself, so they had better try to make everyone happy. This is turning out to be wonderful, because not only is the company finally profitable now, but ALPA gets a friendly bump from the donuts, who could take away a lot of DOUGH from their coffers if they don't get this right. And we also know the company likes DALPA, so they get to feel some heat too. It's all good. SHOW US A GREAT CONTRACT DALPA OR MOVE OVER.

A weak offer lacks the above, or significant gains in all areas. We are still on a BK contract, and that needs to change NOW, not in the next 2 contracts. We had leverage during the joint contract, yet we left a lot on the table. Wall Street wanted to see everyone get along, and we did, but still didin't get many gains. We were "promised" by ALPA that the $2 billion in synergies would be used to get us a better contract someday, but the company has been using that to pay off debt instead. That is great, but it's time for us to get a large portion of that. No managing of my expectations. Every great quarter with great headlines means we should be closer to restoring a lot of our old contract. It's the cost of doing business, and ALPA needs to push for all of it.


Good enough? Why don't you answer this question: What type of gains do you expect to see? (in all areas) No half answers, please.

The way it reads, it sounds like takeoff was initiated only (likely due to a config warning) without the flaps set. I just don't get it.

Every fleet has 2 times on the checklist where the flaps are checked and the new-ish callout for positioning them at the start of taxi.

I maintained early on that the change to the CA calling for the flaps at the start of taxi wouldn't change a lack of checklist discipline, and that is obviously the case. Whether the CA calls for it or the FO does it on the salute, it doesn't matter if you're not doing the freaking checklist.

I rode on a maddog a few weeks ago where the FO was just calling out the checklist from memory. Pretty dang poor- and quite the amazing memory considering how many items there are.

Ok ... this is more interesting (to me) that this debate:

Canadians put a man in space for $500:

Two Teens Sent This Lego Man 15 Miles Into Space For $500

FWIW, ACL did cover it. It's been officially put out that they opener will be made public to the pilot group after it's been presented to the company.

I couldn't agree more.

The rumors are nice. But arguing about them? Really? Its like a trekkie convention arguing about the color of Uhura's pubic hair. Interesting? Sure.... Important? Meh......

And.

88, clearly you have either a grudge or serious man-crush on acl. If you want to go off half cocked about something that has been published a couple of times in union posts... Feel free. But someone bringing it to your attention isn't pushing an alternative agenda.

Clearly acl wants to be our MEC leadership eventually. And let's be honest, a person as well informed, engaged and straight with people should be welcomed. Or shot from long range with a management sniper rifle.

Either way, let us all pray we get what we all need and deserve as a pilot group on C2k12. And for this contract too.