When is it supposed to happen?

 

It would be a better program if SkyWest had not issued that stupid press release. Stock was trading near $28, now it is at $23.

I underestimated the stupidity of a managment team who could not restrain themselves from primate style chest beating. A stock purchase plan is worthless if the stock is driven down below its' discount price by the rants of a managment team who's focus is destroying organized labor, instead of running the business.

 

It'll go back up.

 

Here we go again........

I've read this entire string. Not once did I hear the ethical or moral portion of the arguement. For those new to this forum or debate, here it is.

"unionized pilot groups through their collective bargaining agreements increase pilot contracts (pay/benefits/QOL) for ALL pilot groups"

Pilot groups that reap the benefits from that, i.e. Skywest pilots from the gains of the Comair strike, are getting improvements that other pilot groups paid for.

JA only makes incremental bumps in your pay to keep up with the things unionized pilot groups gain because you hang the threat of a union over his head. THE THREAT OF A UNION IS NOT FREE. Someone is paying for that and it is not you.

When the Comair pilots went on strike to make things better for ALL of us, I reached into my pocket and paid extra dues that went directly to the Comair pilots so they would have at least some income to weather the strike. What did you do for the pilot group that sacrificed so much so that your contract would "stay competitive"?


I'm out of time, but I will make another arguement later, one that is very personal. It will expose my bone head manuever and open myself up for a lot of cheap shots, but it will also show the value of the union.

Gotta run- but you Skywest pilots that like not reaching into your pocket to pay dues, or fear that a union will only reduce new aircraft, or slow your promotion to the Legacy carriers, I ask that you think about this not in the context of this week or next year but your entire 40 year career.

 

You ought to get your facts straight before you add to internet miss-information. The facts are no regional represented by ALPA is totally self funded for their operating budget. Because of the low pay rates ALPA has to subsidize regional MEC's from the general treasury. At some regionals ALPA matches dollar for dollar each dues dollar collected. Pilots at the majors end up sending approximately 80% of their dues dollar to national to pay for the operation of the headquarters and the operation of regional MEC's. Make no mistake it is expensive to have the best aviation legal resources, safety organization, aero medical department and other support resources that regional pilots never think about. But it's worth it.

So why does ALPA want to represent regional pilots? Three reasons. First, philosophically they believe every pilot should have a legal contract specifying the terms and conditions for pilot employment, just like all senior managers enjoy. Second, it is easier to improve the working conditions of their members if other groups help lift the bar when it's their turn. SKW pilots never push the envelope, they just get what ever is need to be on par with the rest of the industry. Third, when it is time to attempt to influence Washington the more voices you represent the stronger you are.

You have to decide for yourself if it is worth it, but make no mistake about it, the reason airline pilots have been traditionally highly compensated is because of the ALPA battles your grandfathers fought. If the regionals are to ever reflect the value of the skills pilots bring to the profession, it will be because pilots collectively and in an organized way stand up and say enough.

 

Why should it? SkyWest has failed to win any new awards in the RFP bidding. They have been beat by Pinnacle, Express Jet, Mesa, and even Comair. SkyWest has increased costs by transferring ASA's assets, both in the initial expense of the transfer and also in the ongoing operation of the aircraft.

ASA was the most profitable airline in the industry on the basis of their 12.9% margin. Even after SkyWest has taken and transferred ASA's new growth, undermined their productive employees on the property, lost 1,700 employees in one day, stripped management and pretty much ingnored what they have not taken, or fired. Further, the stagnation at ASA will increase unit costs as longevity increases. Why trash your own asset? It makes no sense unless you are driven by emotion and beating organized labor is worth the destruction of your own company in the process.

At some point a thinking person's respect for Jerry Atkin and the SkyWest management team is diminished by their lack of business objectivity. I'm beginning to wonder if Jerry Atkin is all that smart, or if he has lost his edge. He has made a teetotal mess of ASA and eventually the NMB is going to have to release those guys. When released, they could take out not only ASA, but SkyWest and really harm Delta. Why would Atkin purposely push these guys back in a corner and threaten them? They are likely to come out fighting.

So no, I am not bullish on SKYW and wish I did not own so much of the stock. The trend away from RJ flying will accelerate and while SkyWest will be a long term player, there will be blood on the floor as the dozens of no brand carriers fight with eachother for the ever diminishing RFP returns.

 

Now is not the time. We all appreciate everything that those, such as the Comair Pilots gave up, but I cannot see how this directly relates (or quite frankly, indirectly) to the SkyWest group.

You are wrong that Jerry increases our Pay incrementally only to stay ahead of those represented by ALPA. Partially, I am sure, but now wholly. Ya'll have been BURNED so much by Mgmt that you can no longer believe that there is some good out there. And some of that good is in our Mgmt team. Sure, we could fight for a few nickels here and there, but it's not all about ME, ME, ME. I want to see the company succeed and do well, and I have no problem making small concessions to make that happen...Maybe I'm just a team player ::gasp::

The SKW Pilot group joining ALPA is NOT going to benefit those at Mesa or TSA, get over it. It is NOT going to benefit the Pilots at SKW either. Get over it. In an Industry smothered by bad-blood between employee and employer, there are a few carriers out there that have managed to stay above it. Arguments here from those outside SKW are beginning to smack of Jealousy.

And finally, I am SICK, SICK, SICK of hearing from this board's members why SKW Pilots should vote in ALPA on moral grounds. Can you not see how selfish that is? Why would you wish that upon another Pilot group? If nothing else, what is left of the family atmosphere at SKW would DISAPPEAR completely, and be replaced by tension and distrust, nearly overnight. Understand that what you are asking of these pilots is to give up much of what they love about going to work. And for what? To please a few of you? And ALPA, of course...hell, we know they're chomping at the bit for a bit of each Paycheck, with absolutely nothing to offer...imagine that!

Leave SkyWest ALONE. If you were to really care about the SKW Pilots, let them vote ALPA in when they feel it is appropriate.

 

He's right. Professionals belong to a profession. The only way to improve the profession is to work together with your peers to make it happen.

SkyWest management has shown their true colors in their treatment of ASA. Believe me, SkyWest management seems to be undergoing "continuing revelation." Experimental, it is only a matter of time until your pilot group sees the same side of your management team the ASA pilots have recieved. These are the same guys - you are not being rational if you think that after they finish beating up one group of employees that they will not treat you the same. Then, when you see that SkyWest's moral compass has failed, you will realize ALPA has the best checklist for "Management AHRS failure."

Of course, if flying a jet that brings in 52% more revenue for 4% more pay strikes you as a good deal, then you might take a little more time than the rest of us to smell what we're steppin in.

 

It's not meant to be fair and balanced. It's "NEWS" and if you look at the date of PR published, you will see that ALPA was a day behind in getting the information out. SKYW's release was out on the 28th. Not a big deal, relax.

But on a side note. It makes me think in terms of execution. SKYW gets information out quickly, ALPA (a little slow in this case). Looking at past endeavors of ALPA's lack of timely execution, I probably would feel a little hesitant if I was always going to be late to the dance. (I would be nervous if they were representing me in any way) If I were ALPA, I would probably increase my PR staff and get them to execute more quickly. Information is key. But that is just me.

Side note: Who cares about laynards anyway.

 

Who wants to be first to be wrong?

SkyWest did not really win that case. Requests for injunctive relief are very tough cases to win because you are asking for the Court to apply a verdict before the case is even fully heard. Courts are very reluctant to grant injunctive relief.

In balance, I think ALPA got a win.