And the union/pilot's group position will be Jetblue gave their E190 pilots a sizable raise despite the economy...and they didn't have spare money laying around to go on an airline buying spree.

Well, and thats going to be the make or break moment that this pilot groups reputation will be based on. We don't have to accept a disgusting contract! We DO have a choice. That choice is vote "NO" and be prepared to back your vote up with your feet.

I'm prepared to strike....but the rest of the group? I have my doubts.


According to the EXCO, the grievance has been filed.

Thank you for a straight answer. (now if we could just believe the shadowy EXCO)

What have they done that says they are untrustworthy? They keep us in the loop fairly well and I haven't seen them do anything contradictory to what they said was going to happen. Keep in mind though they are privy to much more information than most of us so some of their actions are based on that which so far has been in the best interest of everyone and not just one particular group. I know some here want to yell over and over how the exco is out to get them but keep in mind there are 5 airlines total involved in this that have to be taken into account also. Now that Gene and Tiffany are gone I've been happy with how they have been handling things.

So you are basically happy with the IBT?

Not everyone gets to be a Captain... 40K a year is bad. Pilots are just about the only people that work and advocate against themselves and you my friend are a perfect example of such behavior.

you can't be serious. nothing suspicious even, just fish outta water.

We'll I'm very pro union and my favorite would be in-house. When Gene was here I couldn't stand it but regardless of the name on it the union is about those on the inside. With Gene gone there have been a lot of changes. Exco is easy to get in touch with. I've emailed them on issues from FMLA leave questions to you name it and always received prompt answers. They always have someone on call. Grievances are now being dealt with. You'd get an IBT magazine and we'd have 3 pages of new ones just sitting there but they've been chopping away at them lately. The largest and most important issue with any leadership is effective communication and these guys have taken huge strides to increase that, which they've done successfully. I can get on the IBT union board and ask a question to one of them and get an answer.

Of course sensitive nature things like "What's up with integration" or "what pay are you asking for in the new contract" can't be answered just yet but having spoken with the guys personally on several occasions I'm pumped they are there. They are a completely different animal then what the IBT recently was. They haven't been there that long but they've hit the ground running and aren't shy to the company when it's time to talk. Slap whatever letters you want on it, UTU/ALPA/IBT/FAPA, but it's all about the leadership and personally I've seen a huge change between what we have now and what we had. So yes currently I'm happy with them they haven't given me any reason not to be. As I was kinda poking at earlier with the increased communications etc I haven't seen them doing anything "shady" since they've been there. Only good things. BB on the other hand is another story. Seems like every week I grab the paper and do a nice "***!".

No I wasn't kidding. What "fish out of water" would you be referring to?