All while we watch all our growth get codeshared out to a flag of convenience carrier or letting the company buy another airline and not merging us. That 250k (junior ca pay isn’t 250k btw) etc doesn’t mean much if those things happen. We don’t need to defend this deal to other groups. That’s just your ego talking.

 

Just received an e-mail from ALPA....NMB has ordered us and F9 back to mediation Feb 20-22.

Took the NMB a month to come to that decision!

 

It appears to be only one scheduled mediation session at the Board’s office in DC. Is this the company’s last chance before proffer? I sure hope so.

 

You do understand why there was a delay, correct? If you are implying that the NMB was just dragging their feet for the fu(k of it, you really need to pay closer attention.

 

This next set of mediation sessions will occur 3 months after the last scheduled session. Tell me more about how the NMB isn’t dragging their feet!

Yes, there was supposedly a delay since the NMB met (after presentations by union and company) to allow the Spirit TA to become public; for us to supposedly use for a benchmark in our own negotiation with Frontier. Add it to the list of excuses for why they won’t call it an “impasse.” We’ve played by the rules and were essentially parked for 3 months, meanwhile Spirit had an active TRO and was parked for less than 4 months. Do the NMB’s delays still sound valid to you?

 

When did the 3 months start for ya'll?

 

You’re obviously no RLA scholar. There is a process and although you’re frustrated and looking for quick resolution, it doesn’t work that way. The NMB had a complete restructuring. Two of three new board members are brand new and they have hundreds of issues to deal with. It is a government entity, so there’s that wave of molasses in itself. We have a parity carrier in Spirit, and they wanted to see where they settled. That is just plain Smart! The Co has and will continue to drag their feet, and that’s part of the process. There was a temporary gov’t shutdown which does effect the board, and they have a ton of rail cases. Etc etc.

So yes, the delays make much more sense than your menial rationale.

 

The last mediation sessions took place 27NOV-29NOV.

 

I’ve literally discussed every facet of your argument, as the actual events occurred, on this forum - scratch that - on this thread. I am versed in the RLA, but all you need to do is pull your head from your butt and read the NC emails for the most relevant information. Taking it a step further, you can get to know the players on the NMB side, to include Mediator Gerry McGuckin (formerly ALPA), Senior Mediator Patricia Sims, Former Board Member Harry Hoglander, Current Board Member and former Chair Linda Puchula, and newly appointed Board Member who is assigned to our case, Ms. Kyle Fortson (pronounced Ky-Lee).

Ms. Fortson is a political appointee with no prior RLA experience, she has been in place prior to our last round of mediation sessions. Mediator Gerry McGuckin, whose house in BVI was practically blown down during the hurricane, has been the cause for at least of month of prior delays, understandably. He has not been the cause of any delay since our last mediation round. Simply put, he would not schedule any additional sessions because no progress was being made; people sometimes like to call that an “impasse.”

The time that has passed since is purely political can-kicking. You really want to use the government shutdown as an excuse? GMAFB! The government was shut down on a Friday night and ceased on the following Monday night. The majority of our government shuts down on the weekend, the NMB included, so effectively they had one day of their operation effected. It was a paid day-off, I’m sure they’re sad it didn’t last longer; because once the budget is passed they get paid in full for days not worked. So at least we know they are familiar with the concept of retroactive pay.

So tell me, “RLA Scholar,” what exactly am I missing? Why is Spirit our ‘parity’ carrier? Who put the idea into the heads of the NMB that Spirit should be our only peer group?

The NMB isn’t helping us. They are using every excuse the company gives them, or they can separately cook up, to stall or completely block our efforts to reach self-help. Because our group reaching self-help is a viewed as failure of their institution. The Board Members are political appointees, they’re nearly politicians, and the number one goal of politicians is to stay in office.

Apparently I’m just not seeing the big picture, so maybe you can help me, RLA Scholar?

I fully support my MEC and NC. But I will not mask my disdain for the ridiculous political institution that is The NMB nor sugarcoat the challenge that faces our pilot group.

 

You ^^^ literally won the internet for tonight. Touché sir. Couldn’t agree more.