Don't throw me into the mix with those two. I may not say things that you agree with, but I do want a JCBA and SLI that we can all agree to. I haven't formed any opinions of ERJ guys from online. All of my opinions come from those that I know in the "real world." For the most part, they are good people, with a slightly distorted view of the reality of the XJT purchase, and lack of experience with the SkyWest Inc management.

That combination has led them to believe that if they just hold their breath and stomp like a child in WalMart, management will cave in and give them whatever pay rates they want if they will only just start breathing again. Unfortunately, that isn't the case.

In my posts, I've tried to impart some of my experience since the SkyWest purchase of ASA with the SkyWest management. I'm looking out for your best interests, because if you dig in and vote no to a contract that is reasonable, SkyWest management will punish you for it. I'm just a line pilot, but that's my take on this whole deal. I don't want the CRJ side to grow at the expense of the ERJ side, but I would bet my regional jet paycheck that it will happen if they determine you aren't reasonable people to work with.

I'm not a regional "lifer," and I'm not willing to vote yes on just anything or any rate that comes along. I think there are several sections of the contract that need significant improvement, for the CRJ side at least. I'm willing to vote no for a contract that isn't reasonable.

 

This is the brainwashing coming out of the ASA mec that is perfectly willing to give away whatever negotiating leverage they have. The company can and will make money off of us and management will be compensated well for their time. Why are we the ones fighting for pennies and being abused by poor contract language? Pay rates mean nothing if the work rules aren't there and this negotiation is a two way street. Your mentality of play ball or we upset mom is exactly why the pilot whipshaw continues. No backbone or knowledge of how to negotiate.

 

Wow, no knowledge of how to negotiate? So I take it you have been to every negotiating meeting , that you have a long list of actions that the mec has blundered. ASA's mec negotiated one of the better contracts in 07, a contract that most regional pilots would happily trade for. And here's the greatest irony of it all, mainline continental essentialy negotiated your last contract, not to mention the fact that it was negotiated with the parent company of the flying you were performing. it's a different game now , ask the Airtran pilots how playing "hardball" worked out.

 

Thank you.

Thank you.

And thank you. I havent seen him in a while to pick his brain about this stuff.

 

Quoted for truthiness. The problems are not with the CBAs. They are being negotiated well for the most part. The moving of the cheese is what is really fracking things up. Its the unknown unknowns.....

 

I think he transfered to Detroit.

 

This has been stewing and simmering and bothering me over the last few years, and this isn't just an ASA/XJT thing but: somehow, somewhere along the line management was able to brainwash every airline employee in America into thinking that their paycheck was the difference between a profit and a loss; the difference between a sustainable operation and a catastrophic shutdown. Now, while that was going on, management pay and benefits, especially at the upper echelons, has skyrocketed to many many many times what your average rank and file employee takes home. And what does that premium get you? Destructive mergers and revolving-door bankruptcies. My issues with this are twofold:

1.) One only has to look at Southwest, FedEx, Delta and any of the large, established foreign carriers to see that this is total BS. Your paycheck is NOT the difference between a profit and and loss.

2.) IF employee compensation is part of the problem, lets take a top-down approach. Cutting pay 2-6% from the top is like cutting pay 50-60% at the bottom. So rather than coming after my pay and benefits with a cleaver, why not go after those at the top with a paring knife?

Now, I think the blame rests squarely in OUR laps for allowing this group-think to fester and perpetuate itself in this industry since deregulation. Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us for 40 years, well... The reality is that truly sustainable profitability can only be had from organizational efficiencies. Again, look at the most consistently profitable companies both inside this industry and out. They aren't profitable because they pay their people chump change. They are profitable because they are EFFICIENT. Without getting specific, I think we can all agree that current tactics used by managements do nothing to foster willingness among employees to operate efficiently. So what I say to management is this: Only through efficiency is there profitability. Motivate me to be efficient. The first step towards that end is to keep your grubby mitts off my meager paycheck! What I would say to employees is this: Only when we stop being the low-hanging fruit will the cycle be broken.

 

I nominate this for Post of the Century... Could not agree more, I'm tempted to copy and paste this to every thread that even hints that we ask for too much as pilots.

 

Very well said!

 

Sounds like you are upset management is making money from its hard working employees? It also sounds like any money that is made should be going into your check because you "deserve" it? Ever wonder why companies exist? (hint: it's not to maximize your paycheck and not turn profits). Sounds like you need a reality check or go find a government job.