ExecJet99

But we are getting aggressive. We bought a sign (that nobody will see) and a building. So we got that going for us…which is nice.

jtf560

It is nice. Running the union is like sailing a cruise ship- all the momentum was for holding hands with management until the last survey that recently concluded. It takes a while to turn the ship around, but management is doing a good job at helping the process. I'm happy that things are turning around and that union leadership is now at least on the same page.

MinRest

Problem is, reversing a decade of golf course handshakes and back scratching is going to be a long and arduous rode ahead. I just spent over 3 years living it at AS. VX came into a group of "if management could afford it, they would give it to us, but they can't so that's why we don't have it" and it took a long time to merely change that mentality. Management spent years simply being confused at the change in tone from the union and the pilot group. On the back end I would say that we got exactly what we asked for and more which is great. But UAL is living a nightmare right now and is going through a complete NC, MEC and LEC shakeup over it. It's the necessary thing to do but be prepared for a long tough road ahead.

727C47

When I returned from my 747 fever dream to the harsh reality of NetJets 2015 after the furlough both the union and the pilot group were militant, and rightfully so , this job has improved exponentially since then and that’s thanks to the current leadership , and the current E board , we are recalibrating both tactically , and strategically as a union right now to confront the present realities, and to accurately respond to the hopes , dreams, and desires of the pilot group, I trust Pedro going forward , the bomb throwers aren’t gaining any traction , but they are getting attention,cheers 😎

jtf560

I think the length of the road ahead probably won't end up being shaped much by the union. They will slowly start to nudge now, but it will mostly depend on how quickly the new pilot well runs dry and how fast the newer hires start to bail out. This is where by far the biggest leverage will be and that isn't something the union will effect. There are things the union can do to put pressure on and if we have to rely on that alone, it will be a really long road like you said. Hopefully the AS contract gets the rest of the players rolling on their contracts and gives some sort of insight into how much the bar will need to be raised.

MinRest

Man I remember the feeling there in 2015. It was crazy. Handsell was such a POS and the toxic environment he helped create in the post furlough era of NJA was palpable. I personally didn't think the CBA of 2015 delivered nearly what was promised, but 75% of our peers at the time did, so at least the majority of pilots were in favor. I like Pedro, and although I didn't agree with the CBA, I thought his cool, calm, collect demeanor was exactly what was needed to combat management at the time.

Every company in the industry right now is scrambling to come up with short and long term solutions to the pilot shortage, and the reality that lower time, no experience, wet ticket ATPs are going to be getting hired into shiny jets across the country and the world. It wouldn't shock me if NJA lowered hiring mins to R-ATP or even 750 hours. In fact, they should. All the majors are lowering mins to 1,500 hours. Never thought I'd see that.

MinRest

You are correct I think. Management will really be the ones to make the big changes. All the union can do is take the necessary steps to get the pilots what they have expressed through polling and surveys, when a contract or extension becomes amenable. They can use statistics and trends to show management what is coming down the road but really, it isn't the unions job to fix the company's problems. The union shouldn't be concerned about fixing the hiring shortage or attrition. But the union needs to make sure it tends to the needs of the group to hopefully stop attrition, as it increases.

727C47

it’s the early 60’s redux when guys with ink wet commercial tickets we’re going to the FE panel, and the right seats of 727’s , and 707’s , it didn’t last long , and the vast majority of those hires had long and illustrious careers .

jtf560

Mins are now at R-ATP for those that went through an approved college program. Regular 1500 ATP if they didn't do a program. Even the reduced mins aren't going to get almost 700 pilots next year without a big contract boost.

MinRest

There is no way they hit 700 next year AND upgrade. I would almost bet my licenses on it.