SKW/XJT/ASA fleet bases, merger concerns
#71
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From: EMB 145 CPT
I want whats best fo my airline and merging lists with 2 other airlines that don't share our culture is something I am 100% against. I am against people are my airline losing senority to others that want their position in base and seat. There is no whipsaw and there never has been one. I've said before ASA has gotten more aicraft in th past 2 years than skywest.
Just what is this "whipsaw" you are talking about? Maybe you could provide some examples of such between the SkyWest and ASA pilot groups over the last 3 years or so.
I see benefits in one list as well as some negatives as well. For those advocating one list what negatives do you see? Are there none? Seniority for holding west coast domiciles is a big one that I see. The SkyWest pilot group has a lot to lose there. We've got a lot of west coast commuters to ORD, DEN and SLC, many have been waiting for years to get a transfer into California. Merging with anyone else would seriously hurt those pilots chances of ever getting based out west. I'd venture to say there are a lot more pilots wanting into SkyWest domiciles than SkyWest pilots wanting into ATL, IAH, or EWR. The one SkyWest pilot that I've heard pushing for one list lives in ATL, I can see how that benefits him.
Again on the whipsaw. ASA has a better contract than we do and have been getting the growth.
I see benefits in one list as well as some negatives as well. For those advocating one list what negatives do you see? Are there none? Seniority for holding west coast domiciles is a big one that I see. The SkyWest pilot group has a lot to lose there. We've got a lot of west coast commuters to ORD, DEN and SLC, many have been waiting for years to get a transfer into California. Merging with anyone else would seriously hurt those pilots chances of ever getting based out west. I'd venture to say there are a lot more pilots wanting into SkyWest domiciles than SkyWest pilots wanting into ATL, IAH, or EWR. The one SkyWest pilot that I've heard pushing for one list lives in ATL, I can see how that benefits him.
Again on the whipsaw. ASA has a better contract than we do and have been getting the growth.
We've had both an ONT and LAX bases and they were both the most junior bases out of the six we had. All new hires got sent to those two bases.
Maybe I just never saw it, but has XJT ALPA announced that they are going to formally challenge it in court? There's a lot of talk on here, but I haven't seen any real disagreement from the folks that matter.
The only release I've seen says it must result in a "profitable airline, must honor the current CBA which benefits all pilots, and there must be a fair and equitable seniority list integration."
It doesn't expressly say that the integration must be with all three airlines, and it doesn't expressly mention their scope clause. I would think if they planned on challenging it, they'd make a more specific mention of it. Any XJT guys talk to their MEC about it? Is this going to court?
The only release I've seen says it must result in a "profitable airline, must honor the current CBA which benefits all pilots, and there must be a fair and equitable seniority list integration."
It doesn't expressly say that the integration must be with all three airlines, and it doesn't expressly mention their scope clause. I would think if they planned on challenging it, they'd make a more specific mention of it. Any XJT guys talk to their MEC about it? Is this going to court?
ASA pilots got a memo from our MEC that XJET plans to challenge it.
I hope they do. And I further hope the judge rules in favor of a three way merger. And I further hope that (as many have predicted, and as they did before) SKW, Inc. drops the whole deal to keep the SkyWest side non union (they will).
As I said before, let the Nevetsses of the group fall on their swords. In a couple of years, we will pick up the pieces for pennies on the dollar. XJET lost HOW much money last quarter?
At first I was just hoping we could hold the XJET pilots back, but it's become apparent that they aren't as strong as I thought. They don't know how to pick their battles. It is NOT a good idea to pick a fight with Jerry Atkin, and it is NOT a good idea to make your contract so expensive that no one can afford to hire you! I'm starting to become more convinced every day that this IS a lifeboat for them, and I may join the growing chorus of many, many ASA pilots demanding DOH for our pilots or nothing.
I hope they do. And I further hope the judge rules in favor of a three way merger. And I further hope that (as many have predicted, and as they did before) SKW, Inc. drops the whole deal to keep the SkyWest side non union (they will).
As I said before, let the Nevetsses of the group fall on their swords. In a couple of years, we will pick up the pieces for pennies on the dollar. XJET lost HOW much money last quarter?
At first I was just hoping we could hold the XJET pilots back, but it's become apparent that they aren't as strong as I thought. They don't know how to pick their battles. It is NOT a good idea to pick a fight with Jerry Atkin, and it is NOT a good idea to make your contract so expensive that no one can afford to hire you! I'm starting to become more convinced every day that this IS a lifeboat for them, and I may join the growing chorus of many, many ASA pilots demanding DOH for our pilots or nothing.
JA is trying to trample thee most important part of our contract. If not this battle, then which one? Don't fall for the trick that we are too expensive. I don't get paid nearly enough for what I do. And giving JA two lists to play with only puts more downward pressure on our wages. Why would we willingly give him that tool?
I've got my lifeboat and it doesn't have SKW name on it.
I am actually one of ASA's hardliners, but am wise enough to know when to pick my battles and when not to. Your scope clause isn't worth the paper it's written on, because you forgot to include the eventuality of a subsidiary buying you. Oops! Thanks for playing. More crap put out by ALPA's finest lawyers!

First of all it doesn't matter what you or I want. It's called ALPA merger policy, you don't get to chose the method, you vote on the result, and if that doesn't work then an arbitrator will determine the outcome using....that's right you said it....ALPA merger policy, which post US-AWA fiasco, now includes everything in the mix as to not benefit one group significantly more than the other.
#72
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From: EMB 145 CPT
Isn't it ironic that its mostly regional guys that give the mainline pilots for selling out scope but once you have a regional pilot group that is willing to fight for their scope, we have other regional pilots say things like, you should play nice, or cut your nose off to spite your face, or this is your lifeboat, or go ahead and fall on your sword, etc etc.
#73
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From: B757/767
They(XJT pilot group) did once. That's why they aren't part of Skywest yet. The funny thing is you keep saying Skywest doesn't want XJT because they're a money losing operation and nobody wants their 50 seaters, yet here Skywest is trying to buy XJT AGAIN for a second time.
#74
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From: B757/767
Isn't it ironic that its mostly regional guys that give the mainline pilots for selling out scope but once you have a regional pilot group that is willing to fight for their scope, we have other regional pilots say things like, you should play nice, or cut your nose off to spite your face, or this is your lifeboat, or go ahead and fall on your sword, etc etc.
Amazing, isn't it?
#75
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From: DD->DH->RU/XE soon to be EV
They(XJT pilot group) did once. That's why they aren't part of Skywest yet. The funny thing is you keep saying Skywest doesn't want XJT because they're a money losing operation and nobody wants their 50 seaters, yet here Skywest is trying to buy XJT AGAIN for a second time.
#76
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They(XJT pilot group) did once. That's why they aren't part of Skywest yet. The funny thing is you keep saying Skywest doesn't want XJT because they're a money losing operation and nobody wants their 50 seaters, yet here Skywest is trying to buy XJT AGAIN for a second time.
Not to mention he has a 10 year deal to control 70% of the flying at UAL that only goes into effect if the deal closes. Your on drugs if you think he is going to walk over integrating 20% of his pilots with the other 80%. CAL doesn't want to have to recreate XJT, they just hated the old management and wanted a new operator who was more predictable.
SKY will be Union in five years anyway!
Last edited by C5Pilot; 08-19-2010 at 07:40 PM. Reason: profanity
#77
It would take SKY 5-7 years to create what XJT has at CAL, not to mention $100 millions to re-create 90% of XJT's in- festructure. There not going to walk, even if he has to integrate. He just got all this for $44 million when you take XJT's 90 million in the bank. I love how people think JA is loyal to SKY over all else, he is loyal only to $$$$,[edit:delete language] I am convinced he never went away from 3 years ago, he just waited while CAL bleed us to death and got it for half the 08 price. Guy is a about business, not pilot groups!!!
Not to mention he has a 10 year deal to control 70% of the flying at UAL that only goes into effect if the deal closes. Your on drugs if you think he is going to walk over integrating 20% of his pilots with the other 80%. CAL doesn't want to have to recreate XJT, they just hated the old management and wanted a new operator who was more predictable.
SKY will be Union in five years anyway!
Not to mention he has a 10 year deal to control 70% of the flying at UAL that only goes into effect if the deal closes. Your on drugs if you think he is going to walk over integrating 20% of his pilots with the other 80%. CAL doesn't want to have to recreate XJT, they just hated the old management and wanted a new operator who was more predictable.
SKY will be Union in five years anyway!
Last edited by TonyWilliams; 08-19-2010 at 12:54 PM. Reason: edit quote
#78
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From: B757/767
Apples to oranges. The game has changed dramatically since then. Fee for Departure contracts where the Legacy takes all the risk are becoming less and less. The Legacys are now forcing the Regionals to take on more risk. They are no longer buying all their fuel and ordering hundreds of RJs. The growth that was experienced allowed ACA's feed to be replaced. That growth has come to a screeching halt, which is exactly why regionals are scrambling to buy each other. The pie is shrinking.
#79
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From: 717 FO
Not to mention he has a 10 year deal to control 70% of the flying at UAL that only goes into effect if the deal closes. Your on drugs if you think he is going to walk over integrating 20% of his pilots with the other 80%. CAL doesn't want to have to recreate XJT, they just hated the old management and wanted a new operator who was more predictable.
#80
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From: EMB 145 CPT
I don't remember that. In fact, they did say that this deal is not contingent on the UAL/CAL merger.
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