Put it back in your pants.

The bottom 75% of 9E make out better with DOH.

Put it back in your pants.[/QUOTE]

Sorry! I was married for 10 years. I haven't gotten the upper hand in an argument for a long time....I got too excited.

If overall bid position doesn't change, how would relative seniority be a windfall? I really do understand the angst about seeing your seniority number plummet to the bottom under this scenario, but if you still are able to bid the same schedules, maintain seat/eqiup./domicile, etc...Where is the problem? I am not trying to sound selfish either, I really don't want to see any XJ or 9E pilots getting screwed. Trust me, I know the feeling of how things can get really screwed up in this career. I started at CJC 06/04 and left 02/08. Only to return in 09/08 minus seat, equipment and seniority. But, life doesn't always go how we plan, how we would like nor is it fair. The earthquake/tsunami in Japan is a classic example of how precious life is and how it can change forever in an instant.
Personally, I am hopeful that the arbitrator will come up with a compromise that recognizes the years of service, career expectations and sacrifices that the senior portion of ALL three pilot groups have made.
The bottom-line is this a straight DOH or Relative integration will fail to meet the standard above. Let's hope that after all is said and done that we can all come together as a collective group, work hard/play hard, and continue to make this company safer, more efficient and profitable.

What about for the guys being hired or had interviews prior to the Q 400 announcement prior to or close to Jan 18 2007, and still would have gone to Colgan prior to the news, and have hire dates after. Maybe a couple month buffer for that so relative seniority goes to MAR 07 or so??? Just a thought for those in that situation. The sli is obviously going to be difficult.

Nevermind...

Regardless of what property or what "method" anyone feels is justified, all are faced with the same issues when the dust settles:

1. Seat
2. Base
3. Equip
4. QOL

Seniority determines all of that. It's a single "number" that makes a determination of all of the above. You can argue "career expectations", "career progression", "money", and "QOL". Each pilot puts different weights on each factor, but every pilot has these factor in mind.

The argument of "you get to bid in the same spot" is very short sighted. The next vacancy that comes out (post sli) will have every pilot looking at their standing bid with all 4 factors in mind. I may want back to a base, a 9L pilot may want a 9E base where they want to live, a XJ pilot may be looking for a left seat, ....you get the point... In the end your "number" determines all of that. Once again there is no "perfect" solution to this problem and everyone will be upset. That's the only known quantity.

Well said. Honestly I have no problem with DOH for the guys that have been here for a while and don't plan on going anywhere. They don't deserve to be screwed and their QOL should be protected.

The rest of the guys is a toss up. That's every man for himself. Everyones looking for the quickest way to an upgrade and a ticket out of here.

In the end and admittedly my own selfishness, don't touch my sh&@&ox turboprop, seat or base and I don't care what you guys decide. Give me DOH and a three year fence and leave me alone. Keep your crappy RJs and armpit bases.

Anyone ever think about 2 seperate lists. One capt and one FO? Both done by DOH. Then stapling the fo list after the jr captains? That way senior FO's are at the top of the upgrade list and Jr captains dont have to worry about the constant backwards slide in seniority? I mean merger aside that's what essentially happens when you upgrade at a normal airline. You go from being a Sr FO to a JR Captain. That's what just happened to me essentially. With all the growth and movement going on right now I'm sure anyone hired pre merger would have a good chance to upgrade.

Don't bite my head off just throwing a thought out there.

Anyone know the DOH of the most Jr captains at 9e and XJ?

9E is fall 06 up through the last vacancy (effective may 1).

We have some career FO's at Mesaba so I'm sure the two list idea wouldn't go over too well.