I think where the confusion lies is in the word "concession".

From Merriam Webster: Definition of CONCESSION

1
a : the act or an instance of conceding (as by granting something as a right, accepting something as true, or acknowledging defeat)

Delta, American, Northwest, America West, United, USAirways, did NOT vote in concessionary contracts. Those contracts were forced upon them through the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy code. Those pilots did not get to vote, it was FORCED on them. They did not CONCEDE, they just had to take it, or leave.

Now, FedEx ALPA pilots on the other hand, during 15+ years of record-breaking financial gains, would be conceding by voting in a TA that gives up earned work rules, work rules EARNED during previous negotiations. That would in fact be, the actual definition of a concessionary contract.

If our openers said to "keep the A-plan we have now - no improvements" - we would then not be conceding on that!

Also, since your list of positives includes just 'keeping what we have negotiated in the past', you can add many other things we get to 'keep' that we negotiated: coffee jugs, coolers, etc... (yes, we negotiated for these items - someone please correct me if I am wrong).

If the company had us by the balls, I do believe they'd squeeze. Do to the position we're in, I'm not about to smile and say thank you for this T/A! Money is going to end up in either their pockets or ours, I prefer ours!

You can change my vote from a "leaning towards No" to a full NO!

A lot of talk, but no action to back it up
 

So far all the NO's have been very vocal. I wonder how many of these disgruntled "NO" people have flown extra, sold their vacation, and been generally flying their respective rear ends off in the last 18 months? I don't like the details in the TA, and I do think we deserve better --- BUT we are negotiating against the company and NMB, neither one really gives a rats Ars about us and improvements to our quality of life. The economy is about to crash, the dollar is worthless fiat currency backed by the FED, and we are in for a economic shiza storm when the house of cards (our economy and dollar) come crashing down.

Wake up people. Between the economy, the company, the NMB, and all the clowns we have on property (some probably smacking on this board) flying their rear ends off while wearing "contract now" lanyards do you really think we have a snow balls chance in hell of doing better than this?

Where have I read this before? Why don't you tack this on to all the other TA blogs to make sure everyone sees it! It will help get your post count up! :rolleyes:

We absolutely do! It is completely up to us...not the NMB, not FedEx, not ALPA...

If the company wants us to embrace a six year contract (which really means 8-10 years), then it must be worthy of such a lengthy time frame. This is not it. For reasons already stated across this forum, for me, I see this TA in sum total as a step backwards.

Don't be afraid... I am confident once the MEC sees the united resolve we possess, they will embark upon a new course with renewed effort. It's unfortunate that the ALPA process for contract negotiations is not codified as a multi-step. If it were, this would be a normal part of the TA refining process. As I see it, a no vote simply represents an alternative way to achieve the true desires of the voting members.

We cannot influence the economy, and we have no say over it. We can however, influence this contract, and we absolutely will determine its outcome...

Stay the course...

I fly my schedule and go home....want to see? Feel free to PM me and I'll give you my name.....what a horses A$$:mad::mad:

I've done neither in over 3 years. How about you? I was wonder the same about the guys working to get us this TA and all the yes votes. Heck you yes votes will get even more extra and VBB if this gets voted down. Maybe you should vote no too.

I've not flown any extra in 4 years. I take every bit of my earned vacation. With 4 years or less to go till I'm out of here I could vote yes, take the pitiful pay raises, and live within the new work rules for my limited time left. I could work like a slave trying to hit all the gates to sell back my full DSA, but I've worked like that for a four month stretches and believe me that kind of pace will kill you. To do that for 2 years, with no vacation, no sick, you'll be dead before you can spend it. So in good conscience I cannot leave my fellow pilots to live with this very bad TA. This TA will set the tone for the next 20-30 years. What we give up today we will never get back. A lot of pilots keep saying if we turn this down it will take another 2 years to get another TA. Do you think the company really want to go another 2 years or so with a ****ed off crew force that will give nothing back to help this company. Frankly I like to see the company get a little bloody nose from this pilot group. My vote is a resounding NO.

Not only do you have the best avatar here :cool:, but you are the type of captain who leads by example. True leadership.

Thank you for not just going "FYIGM, bye!".