I believe it is amendable in two years. That's exactly what I'm voting for - NO VOTE. Watch them still give us the jets without adjustments to our contract. It's a game of chicken, will they burn the place down or are they bluffing? Only one way to find out. We don't have a "top-tier" contract (a popular buzzword in mgmt these days), it's okay, but not the best or worst, and certainly not so far ahead of the pack that concessions are worth discussing.

Nonetheless, I agree with the statement above, these airplanes should be at Alaska. Austin? Milwaukee? Omaha? From the PNW? If that's considered "regional flying" then Alaska is hosed, unless Alaska pilots want to shrink down to nothing but transcons and Hawaii runs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In 2013 we voted yes to a concessionary contract that runs for 5 years and we did vote to shrink down to transcons/ hawaii and a speck of central america.....

These 30 E175's may very well be the start of that happening. It seems there is a group of Alaska pilots concerned about this, but the majority seems to be too busy looking up at that big 2 in front of 10 year Captain pay to be thinking about whether or not their jobs are being outsourced.

That being said, what is the Alaska mainline/regional ratio and how does that compare to DAL, UAL, and AA? Seems like a lot more Alaska flying is done by mainline but that there is more growth on the "regional" level.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What's happening at Horizon and Jets?
 

I don't think the two are unrelated. Alaska doesn't have the scope limitations of Delta so it could be a good financial move for them to outsource as much "regional" flying as possible, and given that Alaska's average stage length is around 800 miles, that could be A LOT of flying.

On top of that, if Delta does crush Alaska in Seattle, the most likely outcome would be some kind of merger which isn't the worst thing that could happen to Alaska mainline pilots. Slowly removing older, shorter range 737's and not hiring to fill attrition is a lot worse. Not saying that's happening here, but without scope, it could happen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Likely you could be on to something there....of course the wide, standup 2-cabin class E-175 with a normal lavs and a galley that comes and goes from a regular height jetway is not anything near a "regional" jet

But think of The E175, as freeing up a 737 that was doing a GEG turn to fly a route that can better compete with Delta.. Smart move. Faster acsess to expand central america...

Delta doesn't give a **** about Alaska competition, DAL could bankrupt Alaska quickly if they wanted to. Simple, walk into a every Horizon crew room and offer the pilots a class date. They could take 30-40 a month if they wanted to. Good luck Brad finding pilots to do 40% of your domestic flying. Those pesky overpaid Horizon pilots...

I would agree with you, but it isn't flying to GEG. It's flying to f---ing Texas. Hence, it is not a "regional" jet, it is a mainline class airplane that is just barely below the arbitrary cutoff of what defines a regional jet. It is a smart move from the shareholders perspective, replace mainline flying with "regional" flying done by cheaper crews. Don't believe the management emails about how this is only about competition with Delta. AAG isn't just "freeing up 737's," they are making a concerted effort to reduce labor costs through outsourcing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk