Jack Bauer

...In full force. No doubt, some on FPL.

Bill Lumberg posted 36 times yesterday. He has this many today so far:

Today, 09:24 AM
Today, 11:41 AM
Today, 11:46 AM
Today, 11:49 AM
Today, 11:53 AM
Today, 11:56 AM
Today, 12:10 AM
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Today, 12:47 PM
Today, 12:55 PM
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Today, 02:41 PM
Today, 02:44 PM
Today, 02:49 PM
Today, 02:53 PM
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Today, 08:02 PM

buzzpat

Umm, maybe he's just on short call? I dunno. I don't ascribe to the DALPA conspiracy theory.

Bill Lumberg

I had the day off, and this is interesting. I also DO NOT WORK FOR ALPA, DALPA, or the DPA. I won't be silenced by you, that is for sure. I believe in this TA, and I think it is the best course of action for us to take. I was also against ALPA prior to this, and that should say something. Sorry if that makes you upset. Fire away!

Check Essential

Bill-
I agree. This is interesting and I hope both sides continue to post frequently.
I believe these lively debates are very useful.
Although I disagree with you on many points, you seem very well informed.

You are under no obligation to disclose that you DO NOT WORK FOR ALPA yet you chose to do so. In all CAPS. I appreciate the candor and openness. Would you mind answering just one further question?
Have you done ALPA work in the past?

Bill Lumberg

I will absolutely answer that. NO, I have never been an ALPA volunteer, or worked for them. I honestly sent in a DPA card. I wasn't very happy with the initial crew lounge visits prior to the TA. I saw people shaking their heads, and it made me mad. But, I started to think about this TA, the duration, the amount of pay, the overall parking of many RJs, and improvements in many areas. Nothing stellar, but not bad. Many of these Reps that I saw and dissapproved of before, may have been right. I am still not a huge ALPA fan, but I think this TA might be the best we get. But, it's short in duration, and I'm hoping that the other airlines help us with pattern bargaining next time.

Jack Bauer

I appreciate your zeal. I disagree with your assessment of this contract on many levels. We will have to agree to disagree. If thing go sideways I expect you to come on here and admit you were wrong.

If the proposal passes and it turns into hiring, movement, reserves who still have a life/health, etc then I will do the same. I have been through several contracts in my time and this one smells like a stinker based upon what could happen....and when management can exploit they usually do. Jumping at this lowers the bar for what we can get in the future and will let management know how weak the resolve of this pilot group really is. This is my opinion. Time will tell how this all plays out.

Bill Lumberg

Everyone has a vote, and I give my opinion. I hope I'm not wrong, and I hope we all do well and expansion happens. I have no doubt that management wants this done, but I think there are other reasons other than "screwing the pilots". I don't think they would just give us free money, but I think this TA will give them flexibility to do other things, which may benefit us. I think the Caps on the RJ numbers are acceptable, and I think the extra 76 seaters will be over shadowed by the 717s coming in. I think we will see the lack of 50 seaters as a great thing, whether or not management planned to get rid of them anyways. They will be gone.

As far as negotiations go, we seem to be stuck each of the last couple times in precarious times. It's all about the timing. Yes, we could come back in 7 months and start again, but I don't know if oil will be high then, if the economy will be better then, if Iran/Isreal will be fighting by then, etc. But, this offer now is not bad, especially almost 20% for a 3 year agreement, and early. That's pretty darn good.

So, if people change their votes because of what I post, then that is their decision. I am for the TA until someone shows me a real reason to vote NO, and so far I haven't seen anything substantial. I don't need 100% speculation, even though it is interesting to read. I need some certainty, and this TA isn't that bad to say a blind NO to it.

Check Essential

Thanks for answering.

Just to be clear -- I want the ALPA guys to post on here defending the TA. I just like to know who they are. Most are obvious but some maybe not so obvious. Since you were offering info, I thought I'd ask.

P.S. -- I have no problem with the recent surge in your post count. I do wish you'd throw in a little underboob once in a while. Its good for the soul.

Jack Bauer

I strongly disagree with you on this point. Again time will tell what Delta ends up ultimately doing with the fleet as a whole and what difference these 717's will make vs the permanent work rule changes and forever outsources DC9 sized jets.

Yes, we know you are for the TA....you're like a broken record. Many people have shown you many reasons to vote NO. We get it, you think it's a win....you feel it could get YOU that coveted upgrade and more money. Time will tell.

I will state this again, giving up work rules and breathing a second life into regional operations with larger RJ's is extremely short sited. You see it different. You focus on what DALPA keeps saying..."50 seaters are going away and that is a big win". Just stay focused on that aspect and I am sure you will go ahead with your yes vote. Ignore all other aspects.

Cue the "we are helpless and if we don't vote yes on the first offer we will do worse the second time". It didn't take management that long to permanently change the synaptic thinking of parts of this pilot group. I hope you don't take the same attitude with you when buying a house/car or choosing a marriage partner. It's a losing mentality.

DoubleTrouble

Speaking of FPL, there are a lot of "volunteers" in the crew lounges selling the TA. And selling it hard.