So when is soon? Booze on me if this turns out to be true.... Which is how confident I am right and it wont amount to anything.... But if I am wrong free booze on me for you....

 

As much as I would like to believe this was true, I truly do not see this as coming to fruition. We do not even have a negotiated pay scale for the 900's, and I do not see any of this pilot group flying the 900's for the blended 200/700 rate! I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, God knows this company and pilot group need some good news, but the only good news we seem to get is that we are picking up an extra RON in FAY or possibly PGV! WOW! Oh, and after holding a line for nearly 10 months, its back to reserves. Not only reserve, but HOT reserve! Really doesn't get much better!

 

Our current MEC will do everything in his power to ensure that the airplanes come with pilots and seniority. Not good news for those at PSA who want to get off reserve or upgrade. We could be working beside Mesa pilots if this wild rumor is true.

 

How would the 900's be offered? Would the pilot group vote? or just a MEC decision?

 

First his post has a little political anger in it. The pilot would not be coming and the current MEC is not PUSHING for that. Rather that is an ALPA national agenda trying to get a fee for departure list established.... However that has NOTHING to do with a carrier filing Chap 11 or even Chap 7. It only has to deal when a major puts two regionals against each other and then takes flying away due to an underbidding and constant whipsaw we have. This MESA deal is another issue as a whole......

Further more as you know our current MEC is probably only going to be in office for a little bit longer. THE "OLD" guard in which got us our BS contract we currently hold is being pushed and even the pilots whom this current contract has screwed over appear to have ZERO backbone and not fall prey to the political BS. Instead right now it would appear the new MEC Chair might be a old Cheif Pilot whom many were threaten by and have real concerns over a person whom was serving as management less then 2 years ago, flipping his hat around and now serving as the leader of our pilot group......

All that aside, the company would probably work with a 900 rate if it helps them out. Even that aside the before mentioned pilot group of ours has enough pilots left over that feel we should have voted in the 900's at all cost, and enough newer pilots whom just want to benefit themselfs I personally could see the 900's getting voted in even at our current blended rate. Just a gut feeling but I would not be shocked to see that occur.

 

Hey, if they want to bring the Mesa group over to help staff, fine. However, they must go to the BOTTOM of the list with all of our furloughed guys called back first. And, all PSA pilots trained in 900 differences before a MESA pilot is allowed to fly our routes! I hate to see anybody without a job and on the street. MESA has a few good pilots, however, those pilots would need to be stapled to the bottom, NO INTEGRATION.

 

I don't know what's worse...a new MEC that was the old CP or the current MEC that sold out the reserves. He might have unknowingly done it but what do we pay $1200/year for? So we can lose our contractual rights?
I think T.A. would be a better MEC because he has a repore with management and knows the intent of the contract. Where as our current MEC sides with the company if it's a grey area.
As for the Mesa pilots coming to PSA. I think it's a possibility that needs to be addressed. If you were managment wouldn't you like to get 1st year pay captains and f/o's to fly the line? Management doesn't care if they have seniority or not because it doesn't affect them. All they care about is filling the seats for as cheap as possible. Why upgrade 5 year f/o's when you can get year 1 captains?
I think we have to worry about ALPA gettting together with management and doing an under the table job. Be very afraid.

 

I would guess that by the old guard you mean Steve Toothe .

As bad as our contract might be it could be a lot worse.

Steve oversaw what were probably the greatest improvements in working conditions at PSA.

You seem to see the MEC as omnipotent and all he has to do is demand the best contract and management will sign.

An MEC can only be as powerful as the unity and resolve of the pilot group allows.

 

What's that??



Seriously, though, I agree.

 

Unity is when you don't have forty percent of the pilot group willing to accept a reduction in working conditions for the pilot group as a whole in order to immediately improve their own working conditions for the short term.

Also see; delayed gratification.