So are you telling me that the Trans States Pilots fought (instead of just settling) for the current subpar contract?? I flew under it myself, and let me tell you, it was nothing to write home about...And for the record, I have no problem "settling" for something my Pilot group voted in. I don't completely agree with it, but I also don't lose any sleep over bringing the industry down at SkyWest :rolleyes:

Alpa won't try at skywest for many many more years. Even the alpa supporters at skywest have let go, so should the rest of you. Worry about your own airlines and leave us alone, we are happy and arn't bothering any of you.

By the way, if you airline sucks so bad why are our newhire classes made up of 90% former 121 alpa pilots?

Free ice cream.

ROTFL...made me spit Budweiser out of my nose dude!

I do that when I drink Budweiser too...stuff tastes nasty:D

Speaking of beer, have you guys seen that ultrasonic Guinness surger?

Supercool.

The "middleman" is also the one that gives you real leverage and forces your management into real "good faith bargaining." Without that middleman, you will not be able to get away with getting pay rates that brings you just under ASA pay rates. Especially considering the three quarters of a BILLION DOLLARS in the bank and making almost $150 MILLION last year.

By the way, I wouldn't bet that pilot's wages and conditions of employment is more than the total worth of some other regional contracts. Especially when you consider productivity.

The industry as a whole is underpaid and this vote to bring you just under ASA rates does NOT help considering the IMMENSE success of Skywest. It is sad that this will not see this fact change it any time soon.

ALPA would have had much better chance at Skywest if they had less people with your mentality there.

It doesnt get old to me "belaboring union BS." Organizing is an ongoing venture. And you are wrong about the money that dues bring in. Most regional MECs are subsidized by the major MECs. Its not the cash cow you say it is. It actually costs the association money to run many MECs. The few that do run positive put that money in the SMER account. But you already knew that.

You should be paid the best but without the leverage that the RLA gives a real union, you will NEVER get there. I don't know what argument you are talking about since you didn't vote for ALPA anyways. That is the only argument that would work.

Organizing is an ongoing process. Its not going to stop anytime soon. We worry about our own airlines and that is why we continue organizing. To many people, you do bother them.

From one union supporter to another, may I suggest an alternate route to getting more pilots on the union bandwagon.... Instead of telling us how great it is, and spending a TON of money on buying me sandwiches and pamphlets, why doesn't ALPA's focus more or their energies on their own airlines that are already union. ALPA needs to score some victories on contracts before 50 + 1 % of SkyWest guys will be convinced it's good for us. WAY too many guys at SkyWest have watched ALPA fail over and over, whether it be at Mesa/TSA or the general failure of ALPA to forsee the effect of RJ's and scope on the industry. They (former mesa/tsa/eagle/skyway/comair/asa/etc) came to SkyWest, and right or wrong, they have placed a large amount of blame on ALPA for the situation at their former employer. I understand the dynamics of the past 7 years haven't been kind to unions in general, but continuing to buy pilots at SkyWest sandwiches and pamphlets, and continuing to feed us the same lines will do little to bring ALPA here. I know I make it sound easier than it is, but ALPA IMO would win over more SkyWest pilots by winning at other carriers first. Then come back and talk to us. (Don't use the Xjet example either, it's one win out many losses lately, and even the Miami Dolphins managed to win one game this year.)

ASA got some work rules in their new contract that we had on property without a union. A minimum daily guarantee of 3:45, a duty rig and we get paid extra if they schedule over 12 hours. I also THINK their 401k or profit sharing isn't as good as ours. So before you go rant and rave how the UNION got ASA what they got, get ALL of the facts first.

I was very disappointed that we didn't get higher rates than ASA considering our performance numbers are much better. But, I did my part and voted no. I can't do anything else. Going on here and complaining about it more isn't going to make it better. It took us two months to get our new raters in place where it took five years for ASA. How long will it take for TSA, Mesa, Pinnacle and whoever else will be going into negotiations soon?

And no one ever answers the simple question... if a union is a powerful as you think, why are the majority of our classes filled with ex-121 ALPA guys?

Ok I didnt mean for this to turn into a NON UNION/ UNION discussion.. their have been many of that here before I simply wanted some answers to my original question..