We were put on ice because there was no way Pinncale management was going to give us a good scheduling section or industry-average pay without huge concessions in health insurance.

So what you should actually be wondering about is why on Earth management would want to pay ALL 3 certificates way more money than they were willing to pay 9E pilots even.

Don't even try to say they'll save a ton of money with a JCBA. They'll save a little bit of money, but there is a breakpoint where a JCBA's cost will be larger than their cost savings...that point is obviously not anywhere close to what we're holding out for, or they would have SIGNED IT ALREADY.

So go wonder about those things, and then get back to me. Until then you're wondering about the wrong things, kid.

 

This is so comical--XJ would be furloughing and 9L would be a tiny Saab outfit (if it even still existed) if it weren't for 9E holding out for a better contract over the last 6 years...

After sacrificing our QOL and paychecks for 6 years in the name of "raising the bar," all we've really done is financed the rise and continued existence of two airlines who refuse to stand alongside us in brotherhood.

I hope the FedEx guys who show up to support us on the picket line Friday get an earful about how the XJ and 9L guys refused to participate--given FDX's history with several key people in 9E Management, I'm sure they'll be as confused (and possibly as ticked off) at your MEC's decision...

 

I agree with you on this. If for some reason the JCBA talks broke down and PCL went back to section 6 I would be out there walking with you guys, no doubt.

But as you said, this is a JCBA, not PCL's section 6 that has been going on for 6 years. Now there are Pinnacle guys who are upset about the lack of unity but have no problem with the PCL MEC acting on this by themselves in spite of the opinions and resistance of the other MEC's. Unity??

To make it worse, we now have loud mouths on here talking about jumpseating wars and staple jobs.

The PCL MEC wants to play rouge warrior at any cost, even if it means going against the consensus of all MEC's.

 

Because we have seen it all before. Contracts have been done in less time than this one. If they truly wanted it done we wouldn't be having this conversation.

 

I'll point out of all 3 MEC's, there is only one who has 6 years of experience dealing with Pinnacle management. There is also only one pilot group of all 3 pilot groups who has 6-15 years dealing with Pinnacle management. It's not XJ and it's not 9L--it's the Pinnacle MEC.

Say what you will about us not having a contract--but at the end of the day, who do you think has the best instincts concerning what Pinnacle is thinking and planning?

 

You are exactly right, there is a break-even point. It hasn't been reached yet otherwise they wouldn't still be at the table.

No one seems to know why the NMB put you guys on ice. Maybe it's because everyone else's health insurance in America is headed through the roof and you want to keep yours as is without discussion.

The way I see it there are 3 pilots in the cockpit and it's on final approach. The F/O (MSA) and the jumpseater (CJC) are telling the CA (PCL) they've got the wrong localizer tuned in and he doesn't listen because he's been to this airport a million times... (See, I even gave you guys the 4 stripes and made my certificate the helpless commuter trying to get home on the jumpseat.)

 

I'll give you just one of many examples of why the 9E pilots/MEC know better than the XJ and 9L:

Call in Honest--management is trying to take the CIH provision out of the JCBA and put it in the FOM (which Mesaba has had all along).

XJ and 9L might actually fall for this stunt--because XJ's management was honorable, and honored their FOM provision on commuting.

9E pilots understand (from our experience) that there is a reason behind 9E putting that in the FOM and out of the CBA--Pinnacle changes policies on a monthly basis on numerous policies and procedures...they do it in realiation in some cases, and they do it for operational need in some cases (namely, when they screw up and take on more flying from Delta than they can handle--like all year this year).

Pinnacle pilots/MEC realize that the second a policy like CIH goes in the FOM, Pinnacle will modify it to suit their needs month-to-month...

Fat month of flying? Understaffed? We'll just revise the FOM until the new hires hit the line to require guys in base a day prior...oh, you have a problem with that? Sorry!!!! Operational necessity!!! You're fired if you don't like it!!!

 

Oh really, when was the last time your group was party to a three way merger/ joint contract negotiations? No, your group hasn't seen this before....and like it was said before, now you have a couple loudmouths spouting off about jumpseat wars. STOOPID!


Apples and Oranges......your section 6 vs. the JCBA negotiations.

 

First of all there are always people who will talk about a jumpseat war and unless I missed something on this board no one made the suggestion that we start one. They just pointed out that some idiots might consider this.

Second, if you really believe it's apples and oranges I for one hope I eat crow. But this whole negotiation tatic is out of the PNCL Corp playbook. Keep them happy through the holidays and then it will come to an end. Right before the summer push they'll do it again.

Our MEC is doing what a large portion of our pilots asked for. We have been on our MEC to do this sort of thing for awhile. Many were upset that we weren't picketing over Thanksgiving. They are doing what we elected them to do finally.

 

If ANY 9L or XJ pilot is given an issue over a jumpseat please contact me.