XJT MEC Update
December 18, 2008

Colgan Pilots Choose ALPA

The results are in. Colgan pilots have voted in ALPA with 70 percent support! The final list was 449 eligible voters, with 286 in support of ALPA and 27 write-ins for the IBT.

Having the pilots of Colgan join ALPA was important for the Union and was essential to the ExpressJet pilots. Our pilots operate in the same hubs, for the same mainline carrier. This close proximity necessitated a close working relationship that can only be achieved by pilots working under the same banner -- the ALPA banner. The MEC would like to thank all of you who spoke with Colgan pilots on the jumpseat, in the airports or at any of the organizing events. Thanks for all of your work and please spread the word. The next time you see a Colgan pilot, be sure to welcome him/her to the ALPA family.

Maybe this is me being niave here ... but what in the heck does us operating in close proximity at the same base have anything to do with us needing to be under the same Union umbrella? We're two completely seperate carriers...

And yes, I voted for ALPA

So XJT doesn't decide to pull a Pinnacle and outsource new flying to you. Why pay XJT wages when you have a non union group with lower labor costs?
Remember, Pinnacle and Colgan are 2 separate carriers, but Pinnacle bought airframes for Colgan which are being flown by Colgan pilots. XJT MEC was probably scared that their company would pull the same stunt.

The members of the MEC, (myself and the 9 others) never actually discussed that possibility, our management (current) knows better then to attempt that. We have a relatively strong relationship with out management team, lets hope it stays that way.

us scared................seeeeesh ;)

Captain 152, yes we are two separate airlines, but if you haven't noticed we both fly contractually for Continental Airlines, out of Newark, Houston, and Cleveland, there are a lot of issues that will affect the fee for departure airlines unilaterally, depending on the business model of CAL, so I think a solid relationship between our MEC, and your soon to be MEC will benefit us both.

The better to fondle each other. Isn't that one of the basic tenets of a union?

Good for you Colgan pilots! Now get your dues money out and your merger fund money out. Why? Beats the F out of me but the union likes their money and well good luck seeing a return on it!!!

Best of luck

I like your avatar. Oh and again best of luck to the Colgan guys.

Hey Colgan, furlough threat from Mgt in approximately 90 days. Welcome to the ALPA.

Yeah, I knew we both operated out of the same big airports for CAL contractually ... just never really thought about it like that ... hence why I began by question with "this may be me being naive..."

I appreciate the insight though! Hopefully we can all work together towards a better future for all of our companies :)