You do realize that the FAA violates both the Captain and the F/O if you screw up, not just the Captain. Right...?

 

I was given this info at the fair, I guess he was wrong. No harm no foul.

 

Just wanted to clarify.

 

First, I'm pro-ALPA.

Second, we have ASAP and AQP as well as several other programs that most all regionals and many majors don't have.

Third, we are not united at SKW, not even close. Regardless, being united doesn't guarantee you a great contact. If it did then we should be the lowest paid and we're far from it. Nope, we're one of the fastest kids at the special olympics thanks to the efforts of those who are unionized and our Puppet Masters desire to maintain a union free shop.

 

Here's what will happen:

1. This BS pay proposal will pass by 65%.
2. XJT and ASA will sign a JCBA that's at least 5% above us.
3. SKW will begin a union drive shortly afterwards.
4. Mgmnt will dangle the carrot of more flying and a new pay proposal equal to the new ASA/XJT JCBA.
5. The majority of SKW will bite and vote no to ALPA.
6. Mgmnt will then give us a 1% raise and sell us on the idea that it's actually 3% seeing we don't have to pay dues and in-order to gain future flying over ASA/XJT we need to maintain a lower cost.
7. The flying will never materialize but Mgmnt will continue to dangle the carrot saying their working on it.
8. The Whipsaw will continue........

Wagers?

 

Nobody is in a hurry here, even those inclined to vote yes. We should definitely wait and see what ASA/XJT get.

 

First, I appreciate the civility of your post. We will have to agree to disagree on many points, but that's what makes the world go 'round.

You may consider your longevity increase a raise, but the rest of the industry does not. When contract raises are negotiated, they will be along the lines of "5% raise in 2011, 2012, 2013. No further raises". However, in 2014, if you haven't topped out yet, you are still getting your longevity increase. I see what you are saying, but I feel its disingenuous.

Second, I am not always happy with ALPA, but I definitely realize that they have done more for me than any other body in terms of career pay, safety, and security. The deck is definitely stacked against them in terms of leverage in most circumstances. You should realize, in my opinion, that compensation at Skywest is generally set by ALPA... just by work done at other ALPA represented regional carriers. Skywest management comes up with their pay "proposals" to you based on what other union carriers have managed.

You had a post about getting paid what you signed up for. Not always. I signed up for Contract 2000 when I was making $200k plus. I signed up for a nice pension. I signed up for 78-81 hours a month and lots of vacation. None of it turned out that way. There is one thing for certain about this business, nothing you signed up for will last very long. Luck and circumstance have more to do with what happens than I would hope for.

Last, and this one goes out to everyone in the industry. We should ALL be shaking out heads when Chip gets a 40% compensation increase and we as pilots aren't even keeping pace with cost of living. Tilton did the same thing at UAL. I took a 40% paycut and he got a 40% pay INCREASE on a contract that he opened early. The old "if you don't like it, apply to be a manager" doesn't fly with me. Just because I'm not in a position to affect a change doesn't make it right. What managements in this country have done over the past several decades is despicable. CEO pay is now, what, 600% above workers when it used to be 40% above. The trouble is that they are writing their own checks, and checks to each other. That system only works when they can be trusted, and they demonstrate time and time again that they can't. Are you really telling me that the job Chip has done is worth 40% more than last year, but the job YOU have done is worth 1% more? It's criminal. There may be no way to presently change it, but I won't forget about it either when they tell me that we are "too poor to pay you more". Puh-LEASE

Anyway, like I said, nicely written post. I wish you guys nothing but luck.

 

This is the kind of brain trust that SWA likes (he's in the pool there).

Terrifying.

JD - ***? Were you hammered when you wrote this? Get real.

 

Which Majors don't have ASAP/AQP? I'm not sure.

In regards to being united, it would be great if Skywest/ASA/XJT merged so you won't get whipsawed but obviously selfish people won't go for that so the whipsaw will continue.

 

Yes it would be great if all three of us could unite but here at SkyWest our majority's drinking way too much Kool-Aid to allow that to happen. Sadly one of the main reasons why the majority won't buy in is a selfish reason. See, most think that "Jerry and Friends" will always take care of SKW even at the expense of ASA/XJT, and that's how they want and believe it should be.