The AirTran Pilots' Windfall and SLI
#262
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: CA
Posts: 1,207
Arbitrator- Richard R. Kasher, Esquire
October 19, 2005
"It is clear, when one considers routes flown, cities serviced, the two carriers' relative financial condition, fleet size and fleet type, that the equities weigh so heavily on the side of the Chautauqua Pilots as to virtually obliterate any alleged equities that the Shuttle America Pilots claim they bring to the merger."
"Simply stated, the rates of pay, rules and working conditions in the Chautauqua Pilots' collective bargaining agreement, are far superior to those found in the Shuttle America Pilots' collective bargaining agreement. As a result of the acquisition Shuttle America Pilots will be the beneficiaries of the superior rates of pay, rules and working conditions found in the Chautauqua Pilots collective bargaining agreement."
#263
How long for a SWA newhire to upgrade?
#264
#265
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2008
Posts: 879
"Simply stated, the rates of pay, rules and working conditions in the Chautauqua Pilots' collective bargaining agreement, are far superior to those found in the Shuttle America Pilots' collective bargaining agreement. As a result of the acquisition Shuttle America Pilots will be the beneficiaries of the superior rates of pay, rules and working conditions found in the Chautauqua Pilots collective bargaining agreement."
Can anyone point to a merger of similar aircraft types where one side had substantially more longevity and it actually counted for something in the integration?
#266
Respectfully, that sure does not sound like it agrees with the arbitrators decision in the Chautauqua-Shuttle America decision as listed in the beginning of this thread. These are his words concerning career expectations:
"This Arbitrator agrees that the "reasonable" career expectations of the two pilot groups is the benchmark for determining what is fair and equitable in this case."
"On this basis alone, the integration of Shuttle America Pilots into the Chautauqua operation has substantially increased career expectation for the Shuttle America Pilots, far beyond what they could have reasonably expected when they "signed on" as pilots for Shuttle America."
"This Arbitrator agrees that the "reasonable" career expectations of the two pilot groups is the benchmark for determining what is fair and equitable in this case."
"On this basis alone, the integration of Shuttle America Pilots into the Chautauqua operation has substantially increased career expectation for the Shuttle America Pilots, far beyond what they could have reasonably expected when they "signed on" as pilots for Shuttle America."
I understand what you are saying. I've been a part of the career expectations debate, too. I also, know what you think that arbitrator was saying. But, I think if you apply it to what SWA and and Tran is about to go through, you have to look forward to the end game. The end game is when everything is presented and both sides "rest their case," the arbitrator is going to probably apply both sides "career expectations" to seat, category and class of airplane -- where you are, where you expect to be, and when you expect to get there. Air Trans increased pay will be part of the equation, but I think it will be a very small part. (The variety of flying they bring to the table may even offset that.)
If the arbitrator called a pilot from each airline, asked him or her where they would expect to be at the end of their career, I believe they both would tell him "a B-737 captain."
If he then asked them how relative seniority hurt that, what would they say? What would you say?
Respectfully,
New K
#267
Banned
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,480
Of course we all know its just a red herring to staple the AAI guys anyway. I guess you couldn't find a better hatrack. For every CHQ/SA ruling (one) you can find, AAI guys can cite every other one that defines "career expectations" as seat/base position issue.
Oh well, good luck. However, spitting in the wind gets you wet sometimes.
#268
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 89
Maybe you smart guys can tell me what career expectations mean? I understand both pilots at AAI/SWA will become a captain on a 737. But a SWA pilot in their career is going to make ALOT more than a airtran captain would, right? So if I started a one airplane airline that flew a 737 making 40k as a captain, and SWA bought me, my career expectation would be a 737 captain. Do I get relative seniority, now instead of being on the top of a 4 person airline, I am on top of SWA seniority list making at least 250k? I mean I was going to be a 737 captain at my old airline, I deserve to be a captain at SWA now right?
#269
Maybe you smart guys can tell me what career expectations mean? I understand both pilots at AAI/SWA will become a captain on a 737. But a SWA pilot in their career is going to make ALOT more than a airtran captain would, right? So if I started a one airplane airline that flew a 737 making 40k as a captain, and SWA bought me, my career expectation would be a 737 captain. Do I get relative seniority, now instead of being on the top of a 4 person airline, I am on top of SWA seniority list making at least 250k? I mean I was going to be a 737 captain at my old airline, I deserve to be a captain at SWA now right?
#270
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: 737
Posts: 190
I'd guess that the comeback would be "Like that would ever happen!" My response would be "It has." SWA has FOs making more than CAs at numerous airlines--including AAI. I'd ask you, whose job would you rather have and which has higher expectations? I hold that valuing pilot positions via the label of 777 CA, 737 FO, E-170 CA does not accurately portray the value of each job. Heaven help us that relative seniority becomes the new model for seniority integtration. Unions would have to fight tooth and nail for merger protections in addition to scope clauses. That would take away significant bargaining power for economic gains. At the same time, pilots at poorly paid airlines would not focus on improving their contracts and instead work to make their airline "pretty" for merger with a larger airline.
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