Rock

Maybe we can lay odds one which will happen first...a passed Delta TA or our wet lease checks. I believe both will happen. Someday.

TonyC

Some of us made the same argument against voting for the TA -- short-sighted, not the best for the long run ...


I realize you disagreed with that opinion, but it was a valid opinion nonetheless.




On that point, with one exception, we agree. I think it's critically important that we enforce the contract. It's easier said than done, but that shouldn't mean that we don't try.

But I sure hope it's not the only thing we can do.






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Rock

We already have a process in place for that. Ultimately, his vote is equal to mine. If I don't like the contract he sends me, I'll vote no. If enough people agree with me, he quits or goes back to the table.

TonyC

If you're talking about the ratification vote, you're absolutely right. One man, one vote.

But when you talk about people representing you and your interests, the Negotiating Committee is in a very unique situation. Their mission, their work is at the cutting edge of doing what they "think they do know what is best for people they've never even met before." Do you think they've met every pilot on the seniority list and they're intimately familiar with each one's personal needs and desires? What about the Block Reps? Does not knowing each member of their Council make them unqualified to vote on their behalf?

I simply disagree with your assertion that one must have met every pilot in the airline before he can make a judgment about whether a deal is good or bad. I don't need to know you to be able to identify a concession. I don't need to know you to be able to identify improvements.

Like it or not, you have people working on your behalf who don't know you personally.







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busdriver12

I did not disagree with that opinion, but 57% of people disagreed with my opinion. However, I can't insist that my opinion is the only valid one. Everyone makes their choices, and everyone has a vote.

MaydayMark

A reasonable person might understand the logic of permitting the Company to wet lease during peak?

But wet leasing through the end of May (that's all they admit to now)? I'd like to believe that Management hasn't grossly mismanaged hiring and aircraft acquisition needs?

Here's my concern ... what if Management has made an intentional analysis and decision that it makes good financial sense to pay the CBA penalty for wet leasing past the "permitted" time period?

Does that put all of our flying at risk of wet leases? Maybe FedEx could even get the ACMI's to paint their aircraft in FedEx colors? Should we be worried that this is an early symptom of a MUCH BIGGER problem?

Enquiring minds want to know!*?

Thoughts and opinions?

Rock

Of course I have people working on my behalf who don't know me. I would never argue otherwise. But you are giving them authority they don't have if you believe they have the ultimate determination to dictate our contract. They don't. You do. And I do. And every single one of the pilots who belong to FedEx ALPA do.
The NC is charged with presenting us a TA. I am charged with determining whether or not what they present is acceptable to me. By asking for my approval, they are affirming my authority to agree or disagree with their assumptions. They are NOT taking the arrogant position that they know what is best for me. They are not "voting on my behalf". Instead, they are required to give me the opportunity to make that determination for myself and that's exactly what they did.
The only people in this process who believe they are smart enough to dictate to the pilot group what is best for them are people who believe they have the responsibility of voting on behalf of other people. Those people believe they are the "smartest man in the room". They have somehow convinced themselves that they have the responsibility and authority to dictate what our contract should look like. In this case, against the will of the majority of their "brothers." It's a gross overestimation of their own wisdom and authority. And it's something that not even our much maligned NC tried to do.

MaxKts

I will throw up the BS flag on your last statement. The negotiating committee did a giant SELL job on the TA. That is telling people how to vote!!!

busdriver12

Okay, I have to admit that (for once) Max has a point. They did do a massive sell job. Though I understand, they did the best they thought they could do, and thought they brought us a good product.

However, they did not dictate anything, they couldn't. You can't force this group to do much, we are far too suspicious.

CloudSailor

This is kind of what I was getting at, jokingly, before the thread took a turn down memory lane.