^^...this...^^

 

But why RSAs in particular? Wouldn't picking up open time be even worse? You're "helping out" without the company having to cough up the premium pay for RSAs.

As I say, I've never requested an RSA so I'm just curious as to the argument against RSAs.

Anyway, hasn't the union consistently claimed "acceptable" progress with the company on the contract? (with the possible exception of the last email) If negotiations aren't progressing, why haven't we started informational picketing etc.?

 

I recently had a union guy (not just a P2P rep) talking about how great these RSA's are and how he picks up most of them. Seems like we aren't all on the same page, unfortunately.

I agree that we are understaffed, but why hasn't the union sent out a "we are understaffed" blast mail? I feel like the union hasn't even touched the subject.

 

That's my question too. In the last year I have only flown with one guy who claimed to not pick up RSAs, most others didn't even know there was an issue with it. Seems like a benefit we have that we should make use of.

What makes you say we are understaffed? Seems like the reserves hardly get used at all most of the year.

 

If we're not understaff, then why does the company send out SPAM emails almost daily about RSA requests, and the Chief System Pilot sends an email out about having to take ownership of the flights, pick up extra trips, etc.

The rough math, just to fix the vacation/sick issue we have here would require about another 4-500 pilots. That doesn't account for adding 1 additional air frame.

We are woefully understaffed and until this pilot group starts to affect JB in the pocket book (nothing illegal, just stop bailing this company out of their own F-ups and poor management), they have ZERO incentive to move at all towards a industry leading/competitive contract.

 

JetBlue schedules 1000 flights/day in our peak, but only 800 flights a day at our lowest point each year (using round numbers for sake of argument). If we staff for 1000 flights/day year round then we have bid divisors of 50-60hrs in the low points of the year. I don't know what the solution is, but it isn't as easy as not picking up RSAs and forcing the company to hire more people.

When September/October rolls around we'll all be twiddling our thumbs.

 

No airline out there staffs for the summer peak. RSAs are a valid way to offer an incentive to work more, I don't see any problem with that. I see it as benefit to the pilot group. As long as the System Chief only ASKS pilots to help out - what's wrong with that?

Now, if the company were to start extending a significant number of pilots involuntarily into their day off to cover open time - that would be a totally different situation. As far as I know, that is not the case.

 

Wow.

Are you a pilot at JB and if so, how long?

 

Those are all fair and valid points. As long as JetBlue has no pilots on furlough and RSA's are voluntary, there are no gross moral violations. Just realize every RSA picked up this summer is validation of management's lean staffing. Come next summer that's one fewer pilot required beneath you on the seniority list. One fewer reserve pilot to make the grid green to allow you to swap or drop a trip. When you can't get a summer vacation until you're crazy senior in your seat and base, don't complain.

Someone mentioned the infamous not building the church for Easter quote by a former executive. JetBlue is more than welcome to not staff for Easter (summer, holidays), but there's a price associated with that. If good will on behalf of JetBlue pilots keeps the operation running, then management should make sure that good will doesn't run out. Month after month of bid divisors reaching up into the 90s and a slowing pace of contract negotiations sure don't make much good will.

I have never met a JetBlue pilot who actively wanted a flight to cancel or for the operation to not be successful and profitable. Most of the desire for not picking up RSA's is geared towards sending a message to the company that the staffing model doesn't work and needs to be fixed. In fact with the increased focus on running an on time airline, improving staffing could go a long ways towards improving recovery from IROPs that cause the need for all these RSA's.

 

It's not that hard to understand. Until the company has a reason to give us a better contract they won't do it. The only reason they will listen to is the bottom line in dollars. It's not lanyards, it's not bag tags. If people stopped doing RSAs and helping the company out, maybe they would see the profit go down and start taking us serious.