aviatorpr

not sure how many Comair has, I do know they have the oldest fleet, so if they are leased, I would think they would be the first to be returned. You(Mesaba) only got a handful of 200's from us correct? Or did you all receive more?

Blueskies21

Mesaba has 17 200's if I'm not mistaken.

nicholasblonde

I don't have any motive--I'm merely venting my frustrations at the current state of labor negotiations in the US, and making the observation that us 9E pilots are one more example of how unions are powerless compared to corporations.

If we were governed by the NLRB instead of the NMB, I'll become a believer that we'll get another good TA in the next year.

If we at least had access to the Railroad Retirement pension fund and payed into that instead of social security + company-sponsored 401(k) plans (and didn't have to expend negotiating capital on retirement), I'll become a believer that we'll get another good TA in the next year

The reason I express such cynicism about our ability to get a better TA is that I don't see it happening at this company without major structural changes to the US airline system or airline labor negotiations, or a major business need at our company. Without a release threat or a business need for the company to give us something decent, we'll be mired in negotiations for longer than I'm willing to go.

The only single thing I can see that might lead the company to sign would be a re-distribution of the last TA's overall costs to different areas (which I think we can all agree would include a different bonus distribution).

I don't see the company doing anything that will cost them a dime more--because under the current external environment we live in they don't have to.

If the union can exhibit the fortitude required to restructure the next contract in a way that is more fair to the average mid-to-junior pilot (which will come at the financial expense of the more senior pilots), I'll give you a high-five and vote YES on the next one.

I have a side business that is doing pretty well, and a few opportunities overseas that might be possibilities next year if the economy continues to recover. So many people have convinced themselves that they are doomed to an eternity at Pinnacle that they won't accept anything less than a TA that will satisfy them until they die. I don't hold that same opinion, and will take what I can get while I'm here, within reason.

higney85

Nick, thanks for answering. One BIG aspect that you may not be aware of is the actual labor costs in the TA vs. the average of our peer group. Our number was STILL lower than our peers! We could easily have more money infused into a deal and be cheaper than our competition. Being that we are "cost-plus" daddy DL pays for it. Of course the holy grail for mgmt is leading performance and the absolute cheapest cost, and mgmt has tried hard to accomplish just that ratio. Many of the areas of the TA were agreed upon in 05' and 06' which left everyone with their hands tied UNTIL the TA was voted down. Participate in the survey, let your reps know how you feel, and give the process a little time to work. I don't like the process myself but complaining about it doesn't fix it.

Avroman

Actually Mesaba has 19. 2 from Comair, 15 from Pinnacle, 2 new from the factory (one temporarily used by Compass but now back at Mesaba)

PinnacleFO

I think the hiring in January thing was a hoax, no one from PLanning or HR knows anything about it. Not that they would tell me the truth, but usually when there is hiring HR gets ramped up and you hear about it. January is only 2 months away basically. Probably just another made up rumor.

SrfNFly227

From what I understand, this rumor was started by one of our instructors. Apparently, hiring in 2010 was in the budget, but not actually planned on. This rumor certainly spread very quickly, but seems to be false.

That being said, we could certainly use more people, but that is nothing new around here. My two attempts at trip trades were turned down for November. One I wasn't expecting to get, but the second is just ridiculous. I tried to drop a 4 day followed by a 2 day. Total credit is 25 hours for 6 days. The trip I tried to pick up was a 4 day worth 27 hours. I was supposed to work on all 4 days of the new trip, but was denied for low staffing on the other 2. ***???

This brings me to my hopes for a new TA. We had better have a min day, not duty rigs, but a flat out minimum credit that a day can be worth. That 4 day I am now stuck flying is worth 13.5 hours. The first day is worth more than the other 3 combined. Even a 3 hour min day would improve 3 of the 4 days on this trip. Of course I will be hoping for something more like 4-5 hours.

nicholasblonde

Those were my big sticking points on the survey--min day + 12 min days off for all pilots--I would take a smaller payraise for those two features.

I would like to see the response on the bonus distribution method--I don't see it being any less than 60% of the pilots opposed to the W-2 straight-up method...I am very glad that question was on the survey--I was afraid they would say "oh that's separate from the TA itself." It was of utmost importance in many folks' votes, so it's good that they will have solid numbers on what we want the MEC to do with that money (our money!!!).

TSioux55

Comair has 92 200's, I think...

mooney

I'd like to get a job as a railroad engineer, but then congress will probably change the rules and put me at the mercy of the Airline Labor Act of 2009.