I never heard anyone pro union or not say it was a bonus for our efforts. Even the lead negotiator for the union didn't say that. He and others in the union have said that the bonus is something the company wants to attach and that if we didn't accept it, we wouldn't be getting all of it in salary or other payment and that it would be money left on the table if we said no to including the bonus. I don't like the bonus system, but if it keeps us from leaving money on the table, I guess I'll accept it. I guess I can believe there may be some fools that you heard say it was a bonus for good work, but they would be in the extreme minority.

I don't believe the bonus is what has kept us from getting both QOL and improved pay in the former contracts. I believe the bonus helped settle the contracts, but the union surveys that asked what we wanted always indicated that pay was much more important for the majority so that is what the negotiators went for. The surveys for the current negotiations showed much more desire for QOL improvements than ever before so they are trying to force some of that before even getting to the money sections. Basically, we have been our own worst enemies in the past for QOL gains and that is now changing. I have strong doubts that we will see much improvement for QOL, but at least we are actually trying this time around.

 

I am not a disgruntled ex-employee lol. But you are such a die hard cheerleader that you were furloughed, and couldn't wait to come back to the suck so I guess you are so far across on the spectrum, that somebody who can see flaws in a company and leave it, would be a "disgruntled ex-employee" lol.

I worked at NJA before FDP. I remember how miserable everyone was, and I remember how many fatigue calls the company was getting EVERY SINGLE DAY. Pretty interesting how fatigue calls and small MX write ups significantly reduced when FDP was implemented, wasn't it...

Call FDP a good thing, sure. You loved NJA pre-FDP and crap money, and you love it now even though with FDP, you fall severely behind the industry you keep comparing yourselves to. How many times did you crap on the airline industry during COVID, but now the running campaign is that you deserve to get paid like an airline. It is a never-ending identity crisis and it is literally the same tired playbook from 2015 except this time, you aren't in section 6 negotiations and your only hope to gain is if management gives it to you out of the kindness of their hearts. If you guys want to be paid like an airline so bad, get a pay structure like an airline. It is pretty simple. Instead, the only way to make decent money (but still so far behind the airlines) is to work significantly harder or hope and pray that you are in a high FDP fleet

The fact that management and scheduling control how busy fleets can be or not, the fact that there are no fences or CBA language that spreads FDP more evenly among the fleets, and the fact that stopped fatigue calls in its tracks, make it a bad thing. But the pilots got paid a bit more for the unacceptable scheduling practices that were going on before and after FDP, it just made you forget about it enough while the union screwed all hopes of you getting an actual CBA with actual improvements. You will still wear NJA on your sleeve no matter what though, that is for sure...

 

Have you gave your 2 cents now? Why do you keep coming here and saying the same thing? Does it make you feel better? We know it didn’t work for you. You have made that clear. You know what is best for us. You have made that abundantly clear. You can’t accept that this job works for others. Move on.

 

QOL was traded for money when we were told time and time again with more money you’ll have a better QOL. The negotiations wouldn’t even look at section 20. What’s the big deal you’re going to make more money….

People forgot about the more money 6 months in and was wondering why their QOL went downhill. (Something had to give for the pay raise)

Now everyone is fired up about QOL again because the money only goes so far.

 

Really? The picket signs I saw were saying thinks along the lines that NJ pilots are the lowest paid in the industry....Sounds like its not JUST about QOL increases. Even on this thread it is mainly about FDP pay being more "balanced". What QOL improvements do you feel NJ needs to make

 

I was a no vote for FDP. I also don’t like the bonus situation and get the full amount. It is absolutely a bribe to sign. When our NC says not taking it leaves money on the table, I say vote it down and try again. The fact that they have money to hand out means they have more money to put in the TA.

 

Sounds like FJ may be a better option for you! If you want 50% of your pay to MAYBE come from FDP, NJ is a great place, if you would rather make $30k more base, FJ is a better option.

 

Show me one “negotiation” that doesn’t involve money.

 

I’ve got no problem making FDP on top of a solid salary. FDP has really shown those that were work adverse how quickly they can change their mindset. It also rewarded those that were doing the job 100 percent to keep working hard.

 

Translation: It motivated people to stop writing up airplanes and calling in fatigued. Fly tired and broken, write it up when the duty day stops, and fly tired because you get more money. Saying it rewards pilots for doing the job 100% is such a telling and sad statement...