no doubt about it!

 

So, what happens to the FO's that upgrade AFTER the day of public announcement (or whatever date is chosen for the SLI integration purpose) but before the merger is complete? Downgrades?

 

Your actual seat you bid (CA/FO) doesn't matter for the purposes of this exercise. You could upgrade then downgrade, or downgrade and then upgrade after the snapshot date and it doesn't make a difference.

The snapshot is used to get a number of total CA seats for the purposes of creating a status/category list by the arbitrator. This total CA seat number is then used to "stovepipe" everyone into the highest paying seat they could hold.

Here's a seniority list snapshot of a single fleet 10 pilot company:
#1 CA
#2 CA
#3 FO
#4 FO
#5 CA
#6 CA
#7 FO
#8 CA
#9 FO
#10 FO

This is what that same list looks like on paper when they are stovepiped into highest pay seat they can hold:

#1 CA
#2 CA
#3 CA
#4 CA
#5 CA
#6 FO
#7 FO
#8 FO
#9 FO
#10 FO

Again, this is just something that happens on paper and has no bearing on what seat/equip you'll actually be flying.

 

Ok, I think I understand it now. The snapshot date is only used for the SLI integration. And the 'no bump no flush' policy then applies to the actual seat/base held at the conclusion of the merger, right?

 

Edit: I believe you're right and no bump/flush based on your actual seat at the close of the merger (publication of the final SLI).

 

thanks Flyby! it all makes sense now

 

Oh, I started b1tc#1ng last year, just to get my spot on the integrated complainers list. On the bright side (for those that rightfully belong below me), have less than 1 decade to go.

 

I have over 2 decades left, and I was supposed to retire below #30 on the list… It’ll be interesting to see how this shakes out. I expect a hit in seniority initially if it’s 50/50 or 60/40 longevity-relative, but the JetBlue chaps are older, so their retirement numbers help. Either way, I have ZERO control over this. So, I sip my bourbon, drink my beer, and enjoy each day at my current position till I know the verdict….

 

Yep, I have the opposite problem. NK chaps are younger, likely much younger. So nearly every single one placed in front of me that was hired after me will be there for the rest of my career. Just as you know what your retirement seniority was to be, so do most of us. And that progression will be hit with a nuclear weapon if the arbitrator uses the wrong formula.

But same as you, no control...

 

Same here, we'll compare notes after the SLI and winner buys the beers 🍻