Alright guys and gals, it's coming down to the wire for voting. Many of you who frequent the forum know my position. I have given many examples of how the TA is concessionary for the 70-76 seat pilots. In fact, if approved, the TA provides CRJ-900 pay rates that are the same as Mesa's existing rates (and they are in negotiations to raise those).

Those of you who fly the -200 and the ATR need to support the 700 (or future -900) pilots by voting no. This is called unity. The word "union" is a derivative. Many of you who have voted yes (and you can still change your vote) or plan to vote yes have admitted the TA is not very good, but don't want to wait for something better. This is ridiculous. We've waited this long and we can wait a few months more to really raise the bar. Our current contract (1998) was terrible and was voted down the first time. The Airtran pilots not only voted their's down, but recalled their MEC members for offering them such a bad TA.

A lot of you FO's say you just want your quick upgrade so it doesn't really matter. Why do you want your quick upgrade? So you can log PIC time to apply to a major airline. Why do you want to work for a major airline? Because they have good pay and work rules. Why do they have good pay and work rules? Because their union members fought hard for this and didn't cave against management. Believe it or not some of you will get stuck at ASA for various reasons and will have to live with the contract you voted for. Even if you plan to move on (as I do), leave the place better than you found it. Do the right thing. Don't let management win.

 

What more do you want in the contract? I have yet to read your new TA, so don't go crazy. My simple understanding is that it has pretty similar work rules to ours and a better pay scale. So again, what do you want to see changed or added?

 

better payrates for 70-76 seats is the short answer. This is where the growth is and will be.

 

What's the point of having a MEC if you don't support his decision to support the TA? No flame, seriously asking. If the guy that's appointed to look after the interests of the pilots supports the contract, why don't you?

 

So better pay for the other FO's (ATR & 200) dont matter?

 

The MEC is not one guy. It is a group of people. I'm not sure why they're offering us a bad TA, but it happens. Like I said, with Airtran they are being replaced with a recall vote like Arnold Schwarzeneggar as governor of California.

 

ATR & 200 payrates are already being offered significantly higher. 70-76 rates are only 1% higher.

 

Well good luck. The only thing I would be worried about is if you threatened a strike would Uncle Jerry transfer over more flying to SkyWest? I will believe the whipsaw when I see that. I personally don't think it would happen, but the possibility still remains. Many people actually think highly of Jerry, but he obviously has a minor say as I assume the board makes all the decisions??? In order to increase our profession someone is going to have to put their foot down. I think American will be the first on the Legacy, we'll see on the regional. Again, best of luck with increasing your quality of life!

I certainly hope you don't follow our guys and be like, "well... I voted yes because I figured we wouldn't get anything else if I voted no." I hate when I fly with guys who voted yes for that pos, smoke and mirrors pay proposal!!! They got no stugots...

 

Its going to pass. Too late now.

 

Well, join the rest of the suckers at SkyWest. At least the stock is doing good...

Brad angles the mirrors in the right direction while Jerry controls the smoke via a broken outflow valve from our first metroliner. The voila! The pilots vote the way they want! PFM!!!