This industry is hosed. Rampant cabotage in 15 years tops..and I don't even think multiple high profile crashes on the part of foreign airlines domestically could overturn the trend, as long as grandma can be visited on $199 round trip. The writing IS on the wall already. The best senior pilots can do today is hedge their bets, take the early out and find some hobby flying to do. People trying to start a major career today? They are straight up hosed. A de facto part-time job at best from a long-term and retirement perspective.

 

I believe the reason BALPA was not successful was that there were other EU carriers that were using outsourced pilots...apparently a precedent was set?

 

No. The reason BALPA could not legally strike is that their scope clause only applies to flying done out of the UK. Openskies is out of Amsterdam I believe.
I doubt the BA pilots thought about that when they signed. This is one of the devastating(for pilots) aspects of open skies agreements.
If we, and I mean all of us, sit quietly by and let this happen then it is over. We will have to use every legal and perhaps illegal way to stop this.

 

Interesting take. The former NWA MEC knew they gave up a lot, and that the contract was onerous and over reaching, however saw opportunity in the fact that management would come looking for relief because they found their own contract unworkable, and there would be opportunities for contract repair. And there were. We used the analogy that the BK PWA was not bargaining, but armed robbery.

It appears the DAL MEC is much more entrenched, and that they actually thought they did good on the BK PWA. Don't have to fix anything if you think there is nothing wrong......

 

BA pilots ditch right to strike over OpenSkies - Times Online

 

In one move, ALPA National will crash the whole airline pilot profession. An overpaid and incompetent association.

 

To be fair, no labor or management officials who have had an agreed-upon contract provision go sour on them want to admit a mistake. It's far easier to say, as EAL's Borman did: "we had no choice; there was a gun to our head." Since this claim is so frequently made, it is generally scoffed at, even when somewhat true. Observers may even believe that a long-term disaster was deliberately courted in order to stave off short-term trouble. The frequent turnover of officials, who are long gone when the axe falls, promotes additional cynicism about their motives.

 

The arrogant senior pilot must take heed at this point! If the companies we're employed by can get away with the sort of anticks that have been played out at TransStates/GoJets, then these same acts of violence against pilot labor groups may be implemented at any airline; regional or otherwise in the United States; and for that matter, anywhere in the world. Don't believe me? Just wait and see... It will be worded differently; perhaps, "Open Skies" or some other bs term; but it will be just the same. Wake Up! Realize where you are and unite with your fellow pilots. You have been warned! Mark my words! Regain you dignity, regain your relolve and be "MEN and WOMEN" You are at risk of losing even what you have. The time has cometo either fight for what is yours or lose even what pay and benefits you have. I hope you folks don't have to suffer a correction in this industry before things get better, but it certainly looks as though that is exactly what is about to happen. Get smart now, even those of you who are senior; you're at risk!

 

The most brilliant post I've seen on APC in a long time....

I guess a 42% paycut, loss of pension, and 25% increase in productivity don't count as "suffering through a correction."

 

You people need to understand that all the ERJ's and CRJ's that you are flying around the skies of our country have taken the JOBS of mainline pilots and their planes. This whole mess started a looong time ago and ALPO just sat there and let it happen.