Beagle Pilot

Here we go again. For the upteenth time our MEC is pursuing one-list negotiations with the APA.



There are very few advantages for the company on this issue and a multitude of disadvantages. Those who are harping about the cost disadvantage of a senior pilot group at Eagle should remember trading one cost disadvantage for a worse one isn't good business.

Advantage for company: Recruiting tool for Eagle. Big whup. While this gives them an attractive recruiting tool, it also allows them to keep Eagle pay and benefits low, perhaps even sub-Mesa. How many Eagle pilots would go on strike for 60% FO pay if they knew they'd be flowing in 5+ years?

Disadvantages for company: Locks them into a single pilot group; no whipsawing to keep costs "competitive".

Creates a strong, united pilot group for pay negotiations. If we are all one union, how long before we'd all be one contract? Remember the history of the B-scale.

Eagle pilots would have zero incentive to fly larger aircraft. If the company wanted the E190, we'd want it on the AA side in order to create more jobs there. If all the other airlines are outsourcing 100-seat or less flying, this puts AA at severe cost disadvantage. Those who harp about Eagle's senior pilot cost disadvantage now should remember this fact.

Once the pilots merge into one list, all the employee groups will push hard for the same. All the cost disadvantages of one single big airline will follow them.


While I'd like to see one-list, I fail to see how the company would go for it without asking for large concessions from the APA to offset the cost disadvantage. Concessions which I fail to see the APA being willing to pay.

By keeping this fantasy alive and chasing the big, shiny jet, I think we end up hurting ourselves by being distracted and failing to focus our attention on preparing for 2013. Coupled with the recent attempted sacrifice of the 500+ FTs, I think we are headed for a disastrous 2013 negotiation cycle because our pilot group will be both divided and distracted by unrealistic dreams of a merger.

TOGA LK

Cmon Beagle, back from the Eagle Lounge days... Will never happen. Has Herb Mark finally gone Adolf over there?

Beagle Pilot

Not Herb. The MEC decided to go in a different direction last August during the MEC elections and staged a regime change. Herb is out. Since then we've seen the new regime attempt to throw 20% of our members under a bus for the betterment of the remaining 80% through creative interpretation of our contraction and now this renewed shiny-jet chase.

littlebuddha

Whats the alternative for AE..... To stay status quo with aging 50 seat RJ's and an aging pilot group, which will come up on their life limit anytime soon for both, which might help the upgrade situation.... To shrink and get a whole bunch of ATR 72's, which we're limited in the amount we can get due to scope I believe.... To get sold to the highest bidder that will play nice with AMR management, then get sent to the street as BB has done with the Mid-Ex and Lynx guys... Does APA really believe that a 90-120 seat arcft would come to them when airlines like Republic are getting 130 seat Bombardier arcft. I guess it would be fairly short sighted of them if they did. The writing is on the wall for both AE and AA with CHQ coming to "help" feed AA in ORD. AMR will carry AE's contract neg in 2013 for a long time with the threat of CHQ buoying them up. What does AMR managment do with AE...... What will they do with AE....

Beagle Pilot

More than the fear-laden ones you've listed. More than the distortions of the truth depicted in some of your examples.

While I do not believe our future is as grim as you depict without selling our souls to the APA for a number, I also do not believe it is all sunshine and roses either. The entire industry is hurting and evolving. There are obstacle to overcome and it won't be easy. What I do know is that we are more likely to overcome them by working together than we will by working at cross-purposes.

Perhaps you should take the advice from your namesake:

littlebuddha

Your funny Beagle... no really.....

Purpleanga

Depending on oil, which will surely go up under this president, most 50 seat operations will shrink. I heard the other day some scary predictions of where oil prices will be in the near future, almost double of what it is now.

Romulus

Which would also park many Douglas products along with CRJs. Thousands of us would be competing for bus driver jobs. Schedules and pay wouldn't be much different, but no more check rides.

meeko031

Keep it separate

Beagle Pilot

Gotta keep a good sense of humor in life. It makes it more fun.