We all are.

 

Not trying to be insulting but shorter contract duration means higher pay down the road.

If we go back the bargaining table in 2021 vs 2023, we spend a shorter amount of time with THIS contract. It also gives the market a chance to increase its value as most if not all the other airlines will renegotiate their contracts in the meantime.

If we continue to accept bottom industry contracts and negotiate new ones every 5 years, we will stay at the bottom no matter how many contracts we negotiate. In 2050, 2100 and so on, we’ll still be at the bottom.

Sooner or later you need to break the cycle of 5 yr contracts. JBs is 4 years - why can’t we get a 3 yr one? Especially when you consider that it’s the cheapest in the industry.

I know there’s a fear. You’ve gotta be bigger than that fear. It really just comes down to facing that fear and deciding to help yourself (and others) down the road.

 

Just because an airline is negotiating a new contract doesn’t mean they will be getting a huge raise. Contract improvements happen when times are good and your timeline means your at the table. We are in a very long duration of good times and that’s why we are so far behind.

I’m not saying the sky is falling in the industry now, or next week but the people that think you will get a major raise with each contract have forgotten 15-18 years ago. It’s a cycle.

 

So less then a 2 year contract? How would we bet at the table in 2021 if we signed in 2019?

 

You would be afraid too if you just put a deposit down on a new Tesla.

 

The contract start date is 2018 no?

 

True, of course. And now, that times are good, is the best time to get as many cycles in as possible. What's more likely - a turn around in the next 2 years or the next 5?

If there were another 9/11 event, then of course, ALL airlines would snap into immediate concessionary contract negotiations (just like last time). Interesting how when times are bad, no company waits to negotiate (and take a greater loss) but Indigo stiff arms our negotiations to the last second. And then, wants to get that contract in place for as long as possible.

Why do you think that is?

 

I think there is a few things going on in the background. We have all heard what they could be... time will tell.

I haven’t confirmed with a rep but doing the math from the bullet points has DOS +1 3/19. 5 year contract then ends 3/23. 6 month early opener means we can start again 9/22. 3 years 10 months from now.

I can justify my prelim no vote for other reasons but not duration.

 

If DOS+1 is 3/19 then with a 3 yr contract duration with 6 month early opener means we can start again in 9/20. 1 year and 10 months from now.

Which do you think is better? Keep in mind, we've been in negotiations already for over 2 years.

SOONER OR LATER, the cycle of us being behind needs to be broken. Voting yes now ensures it will be later. Perhaps instead of orange lanyards we need T-shirts that say "Into the pattern?" with a pic of a big boot kicking a can...

 

I’m with you. The only thing I question is where does it say DOS +1 is 3/19? The pay tables show DOS, 3/2/19, 3/2/20 etc... I’m not saying DOS isn’t backdated, but the pay tables don’t necessarily mean that. It could just be an early bump to the next tier with DOS being 01/2019.