Originally Posted by TurboDog

As far as a merger goes, I'm not sure our MEC has the slightest clue with what's going on. They are just now actually hiring lawyers for that. If they had a clue those lawyers would have been hired months ago and we would already have a strategic plan for such a possibility. Our MEC really is like a bunch of pre-teen kids dressing up in camo and playing army or man hunt. It's too bad that they are actually doing this with our paychecks. I would be curious to hear if the Compass or Mesaba guys have a "merger relief fund," or if they have recently hired new attourneys for such a situation.

Originally Posted by TurboDog

I guess I should be thankful that I have a line, or a job for that matter, but my schedule for Jan sucks A$$. No weekends off. Not one 4 day over 16 hours. Scheduled 16 minute turns. In one 4 day trip I have numerous reports before 5:30(i bid for late reports,) 3 deadheads, and at least a 4 hour sit day one and day 3, and reduced rest. Again, Praise our MEC for letting this stuff happen. It's hard to believe that I pay ALPA to work on this schedule and I get this.

I'm so done with trying to save this company anything. Look where it has gotten us. From now on, we will get there when we get there. If I am fatigued, they will know it because I will call in fatigued. Even at an outstation on the last day last leg. I am not going to track down a rampie to hook up air if I need it, I will simply run the APU. It's not my job to track people down to do there job. If they want to give me reduced rest in ATL when the van runs on a schedule, I will either show up late, or take a cab at the time I deem appropriate and I will submit reimbursement to the CP office. If they do not cooperate, I will be sure to go to the press, state reps and the public. I personally think we should put out a general announcement to the public that they should purchase tickets with care since their flight crews are being being treated like animals and anxiety levels are at an all time high. I think I should actually see a doctor because I'm not exactly sure why I allow an employer to treat me like this.

Originally Posted by captainv

Granted, JC should've assessed earlier. It would help if our pilots paid the assessment too. Mesaba and DAL have sizable merger funds compared to ours, apparently their pilots saw the value in it. Compass likely doesn't need one since their MEC is the NWA MEC.

Sounds like you've got it all figured out. But what have you done to help?

Originally Posted by TurboDog

What have I done to help? I've paid my dues. That is what I pay dues for. The notion that everyone who is in a union should have to serve it is absolute crap. In this industry you really don't have a choice but to be a part of a union. The reality is every ALPA pilot pays there dues and when they see that they aren't getting what they pay for, the answer is always "What have you done to fix it?" I shouldn't have to do anything to fix it. That is what I pay you(ALPA) for. If that is the mentality then why don't all ALPA folks apply for management jobs with this company? What have you done for management lately? If you don't like the way things are run then you should apply to management and fix the issues yourself.

Originally Posted by TurboDog

What have I done to help? I've paid my dues. That is what I pay dues for. The notion that everyone who is in a union should have to serve it is absolute crap. In this industry you really don't have a choice but to be a part of a union. The reality is every ALPA pilot pays there dues and when they see that they aren't getting what they pay for, the answer is always "What have you done to fix it?" I shouldn't have to do anything to fix it. That is what I pay you(ALPA) for. If that is the mentality then why don't all ALPA folks apply for management jobs with this company? What have you done for management lately? If you don't like the way things are run then you should apply to management and fix the issues yourself.

Originally Posted by captainv

It's a personal choice. I choose to serve my fellow pilots, mainly with regard to safety issues.

Basically you have three choices:

-pay your dues and complain about what a bad job the union is doing.
-pay your dues and get involved, so that the rest of us can complain about what a bad job you're doing.
-leave for a better job.

I wish just paying your dues meant a quick upgrade, super-productive trips and a fat paycheck.

You mention your crappy schedule in Jan. How senior are you? Have the massive amount of CA downgrades coming to the CR7 affected your relative seniority? Or are junior pilots getting the trips you requested out of seniority?

Originally Posted by Paok

is it too late to cash in our vacation if we got furloughed in nov. i have come to the realization that i probably wont work for comair again.

Originally Posted by TurboDog

Southwest at Concourse C...... You could probably make money off of that picture.

Originally Posted by TurboDog

Hopefully just my schedule being downgraded because of Captains coming in above me. If the bidding system loses integrity I will definitely be securing other employment.