you can't be serious.. wasnt the cost of inflation last year somewhere in neighborhood of 6%? you really think that you can achieve a COLA like that from ANY airline? the highest Ive seen at the regional level is 1.5% at Eagle, I think.. now, I'm not here to argue whether or not we deserve that or not, b/c I'm sure we'd all agree on that issue.. and I'm sure I'll be made fun of for accepting something lower than I think Im worth, but as for right now, I'll be voting yes when the chance comes.. in my opinion, there were too many people expecting too many things from this pay proposal.. and a COLA that matches inflation is just one of many unrealistic expectations

I dont think we can get 6%, but as a second year f/o I think we can do better than 0.32% on only -200, and a whopping 0% on -700

Keep in mind, besides the mighty 000000000000.32% pay raise to $35 now for a second year FO, you'll still get 1% on Jan 1, 2009, then 1% on Jan 1, 2010, in addition to whatever your normal longevity increases are through Dec 2010.

1 $19.50 12.82% $22.00 $22.00 $22.00
2 $34.89 0.32% $35.00 $35.35 $35.70
3 $35.97 3.14% $37.10 $37.47 $37.85
4 $37.08 3.16% $38.25 $38.63 $39.02
5 $38.22 3.35% $39.50 $39.90 $40.29
6 $39.41 3.15% $40.65 $41.06 $41.47
7 $40.63 3.10% $41.89 $42.31 $42.73

Vote early, and vote often.

Since dues aren't effectively optional at ASA, surely they figure into the comparison. And we could quibble that those dues are paid with taxable money to get the tax deduction, but sure, it's not EXACTLY 1.95% in actual cost. I'm confident that there are tax situations where is may be more.;)

First off, ExperimentalAB you talked a big game, NWA757 posted something about your previous posts and you chose to ignore it. Why don't you address that.

Second, JetJock, you overreact to almost every post about SKW. Nevets has been nothing but calm and reasonable, but you continue to put way too many exclamation points in your posts

Third, Tony & other SAPAs, that pay proposal was garbage. It would barely be competitive in todays market (considering XJT, AWAC, Horizon all have better) and is hardly an agreement that could hold us over til the next agreement. How can you offer us a proposal that actually pays less in some circumstances!?! I was hoping to prove that we could raise the bar, but this isn't even close. I want to send a message to management that we will not accept scraps. This poor pay scale is more proof in my mind that SAPA really does not have much bargaining power.

I hope other airline pilots understand that the people on this board are not neccesarily an acurate cross section of SKW employees. There are many of us who do understand the concept of bettering the industry and wish to improve upon the shortcomings of SKW.

The status quo is 0% COLA, 0% pay raise until 2010. Would you think we'll have a better chance in 2010 with the current pay scales, or the proposed ones?

Would you want the E120 to not only get 0%, but to multiply that by the 0% they got in 2006 ?

Anyhoo, I surely hope that you do vote, either way. If you want to "send messages", the best one would be 90% of the pilots voting.

Vote early, vote often!

That is the first thing you and I agree with all thread.

And vote NO. See what happens. To me, if management decides to negotiate with you, that can only be good for the entire Skywest (and every regional airline) pilot group. If they decide to not negotiate, then it is a clear signal you need ALPA.

Please vote, whatever you decide, but I think you should vote NO!

Tony, first of all I too would like to send kudos for using your real name, but can you answer why management is so married to the idea of BHO, and steer away from just having seperate base rates for 700 AND and seperate rate for 900.

On a seperate more positive skywest note, I don't want to send up alarm bells in payroll if this is in error, BUT I have been getting cancellation pay and block or better based on the leg, not the day lately. This is a BIG deal in ORD, where I'll over block a couple hours on a couple legs and get the rest of my day cancelled. For example last thursday I was supposed to do LEX-ORD-YWG-ORD

LEX-ORD credits 1:30
YWG turn credits about 4

that day we blocked 3:15 on the first leg
and winnepeg cancelled
I ended up getting 7:15

Tony- did this policy get changed back, that's the third in a row in a month or two, or is the new girl in ORD payroll dealing out monopoly chance cards bank error in my favor?

I certainly will, but I've been posting via iPhone (good for short-thoughts LoL) and spending too much time in Canada where I cannot log-in. It is not being ignored...patience my friend ;)

COLA at XJT is 3%. This was increased from 2.5% in December of 2006 and it goes through 2010.

Any pilot at ASA who is in their probationary period (one year but sometimes longer) pay ZERO dues. Also, any pilot can opt out and NOT pay any dues (they may still have to pay a shop fee of 1.45%[which is tax deductable as well], depending on their MEC policy).

Yes, they can be figured into pay comparison. Im just saying that many people dont pay dues, some pay a shop fee, and some pay an effective rate less than 1.95% depending on their tax situation. But the effective dues rate can NEVER be more than 1.95% because someone who doesn't deduct it or is unable to, doesn't get part of their dues money back and therefore effectively pays 100% of the 1.95% (but never more). Its a simple tax concept, really.

So my point is that you can compare but its not an apples to apples comparison because there is always a large percentage of people who dont effectively pay a full 1.95%.;)