Just remember when you guys are considering your vote the kind of business you're in. Deciding on a contract based on what you deserve is not supported in the regional race-to-the-bottom always-someone-there-willing-to-take-your-seat contract flying environment. Instead of considering what you should be paid for your skills you should be considering what kind of contract could be supported in the current market.

Thanks, Jerry.

This why our industry is a joke. Some pilots actually think like this The regionals do 50% of the majors flying and are not going anywhere because we are very cheap. Pilots are about to gain some major leverage in negotiations. There is a reason every regional is trying to lock in a contract before next year.

OMG! This thing is a joke. As a business women, I would tell this customer/vendor to go pound sand. Really?? I'm sorry, but there is NO REWARD in this thing for anyone except the company. Wow! If, I'm the company, I'm pushing pilots to sign this TA, it's the proverbial GOLDEN EGG for the company.

Yikes to the pilots who like this thing.

Expanding our views, what a great idea. Perhaps that should include the compensation trend of our three management groups. And why stop there, shouldn't they be compared to management compensation at other airlines?

I agree Bustin, the current market dictates that pilot wages, benefits, policy enhancements, QOL, etc. can be supported at MUCH HIGHER levels than the company is offering. Thanks for pointing that out.

I was talking to my best friend at SkyWest and she said the Flight Attendants over there voted "NO" on the vacation reduction. She also said, the company is trying to force the pilot group to acquiesce on the vacation thing too and the pilot group flat out refuses to give that up. In addition, my friend also said the company is trying to get the pilots to "Give More Flexibility" in their usage. From what I understand, it sounds like they want to reflow the pilots more, utilize reserves more freely, and basically make their lives a living hell. I don't know all the facts or details, but if it's anything like this TA, I can only imagine. Almost feels like I'm working for a crook.

AGREED!

If I'm the buyer and not the seller, I always make it a point to step back and really absorb the information before I outlay cash. Our pilot group is the Buyer. The company is the seller.

If I'm a desperate Buyer, I might sign. However, do so knowing that you will probably be screwed in the deal by the Seller.

If I'm the Seller (Company), I'll do anything to get you to part with your money now (think used car sales person). If the car isn't sold after a month or two, who becomes desperate now?

Aircraft Interest and depreciation account for about 85% of an airline's expense. In the other 15% includes our wages and benefits plus all the company's other expenses. Pilot cost is a "Fraction" of overall expense.

Remember, it's easy for a company to manipulate something with emotions.

No expert on your current contract, or TA, but FAR117's removal of "legal to start .. legal to finish" appears poised to force airline management into a lot more crew re routes and extensions when it is necessary to manage irregular operations. That, and lots of 30 hour layovers.

As you evaluate your TA, you have to consider how next year's rest rules will work. IMHO, that might be a factor in the negotiating time line.

Credit time may be important to encourage schedulers to use pilots efficiently, otherwise they'll opt for the path of least resistence and we are not going to see our homes much. Min day, premium pay for reroutes, trip credit, etc ... may be a lot more important under FAR117.

^^^^^^^^ This