Gee, I haven't even been to a single SAPA meeting yet (first one is Monday and Tuesday), and I've never felt that SkyWest wasn't pretty awesome. Before I even went to the job interview, I asked several folks that I know who work here how they liked it. They all liked it. Now I'm here. I like it, too.

I didn't sign up for SAPA, and then have an epiphany. By the way, SAPA has genuine, honest to goodness ALPA supporters in its ranks, and there's more talk about ALPA currently on the SAPA forum than just about anything else.

And yes, ALPA does represent Mesa. ;)

Just don't forget to vote guys... Yes or No, be sure to vote and please make an informed decision! That does not mean just listening. Read both sides of the issue.

I don't like ALPA, but I am very thankful for the protection they offer.

Best wishes with the vote... and again do vote Yes or No and inform yourself on the issue.

Can you imagine where Mesa would be without any union representation? I wouldn’t be surprised if first year pay was $13/hr and 18 yr CR9 CA was $75.

Remember that JO was the one who said, "as long as there are resumes on my desk, pilots are overpaid."

I’m sure that without a forcible contract he’d take the $173M Mesa’s being sued for out of their labor groups pockets while giving himself a multi-million dollar bonus for saving the airline (LOL!).

there's no such thing as "not voting"
not voting is how you cast your ballot for "no ALPA"

As much as I would like a way to obstain (sp?) and not effect the outcome at all, because I don't feel like I've been at SkyWest long enough to make a completely informed decision, unfortunately I must vote one way or the other because of the NMB voting rules.

Taking a snap shot of any situation and analyzing does not make for a very informed decision. So many new hires look at what they have in front of them and don't understand that things are slowly but surely getting worse, they just can't see it because they haven't been here long enough. Just think of how important the trend vector on the airspeed indicator is. Our work rules are getting wittled away at week by week without us even really knowing it.

ALPA vs. SAPA = Kerry vs. Bush in 2004

I don't really like ALPA, but my conscience won't allow me to support SAPA in any way possible.

Here's a union shop.... 126 removals IN ONE YEAR !

Total approximate workforce, 14,000


TOTAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ATTRITION
Fiscal Year 2007

RETIREMENTS: 856
RESIGNATIONS: 201
REMOVALS: 126
DEATHS: 10
PROMOTIONS TO FAA SUPERVISORY POSITIONS: 365

TOTAL: 1,558

So, when ALPA fails, whacha gunna do?

By the way, Kerry lost, and Bush is the most labor unfriendly president in a generation. Not sure what your comparison is trying to say.

exactly. so everyone please stop blaming alpa for being shot down every time they tried to flex a little muscle (countless times in the past 6 years).

I dont think the first post on this thread was not to be all negative about the company. I think most of you proved his point when you all jumped on him immediately and said "we have it great here." You do not have it "great." I just cant believe a first year skw pilot is telling a 10 yr skw veteran to get out of my company because bad eggs like you are ruining it. Really? This guy has way more at stake than you. Hes going to stay there. You on the other hand will be gone in 3 years. He deserves to call it his skywest. Please dont compare yourself to low-end regionals, because that is how the race to the bottom started in the very first place. And like Ive said before their unions are actually doing a lot to protect them and at least minimize the abuse, but theyre not getting any help because lately they hardly ever get mediation in their favor (not their fault).

Whether you unionize or not, please dont take anything lying down. You have a perception that you have a great life at skywest, and if you really do think that is the case, then PRESERVE IT. BTW your current pay package DOES NOT preseve your great life there because it incrementally gets worse every year especially with inflation on a huge rise, and your benefits leave much to be desired. Doesnt mean you dont have other good things like profit sharing and all that. I have my own beef with that only because its nothing but a tactic, but hey you guys like that bonus check and thats good, preserve it. And lastly respect the guys who have been there a long time because you all need to be on the same side. Getting pilots to be at ends with each other is of course Union-Busting strategy #1. But you guys wont have to worry about that because it appears youll kill a union before it even gets to your doorstep.

Exactly why I voted for Bush (twice)...lesser of two evils.

I voted for Kerry. The incumbent Bush/SAPA didn't seem to have a sense of responsibility towards the people they represent. Kerry/ALPA organizers at SkyWest seem clueless about how things actually work in the presidency/real union airlines but at they'll be eager to try get things done. Disclaimer: SkyWest ALPA organizers do not represent us, we can vote whoever we want in if ALPA wins.

I don't want this to turn political because I'm flying with a CA this trip that would shoot me if he knew I voted for Kerry :D. I guess I'm just really fed up with SAPA's claims when we all know that they take scraps management is willing to give us and claim them as victories.

Our management at SKW is awesome. Their job is to deliver a good product while keeping costs down (which they do very well). Pilot representation whether it be SAPA/ALPA/teamsters exists to keep to the balance of power by offering protection against totalitarian measures and fighting for better work rules and pay (which SAPA currently achieves mostly because of the benevolence of our management). Niether entity should be much more powerful than the other and idealy they co-exist not as enemies but as neccesary parts of a healthy company.

What happens if/when we get a new management team? Jerry retires and we get some bottom-line focused jerk? SAPA has absolutely no way to preserve what we have now.