XSive, for what it's worth, my interpretation of what occurred between you and Tony was that you have a militant opinion that the L-ASA side needs to bow to, an Tony was pointing out that block hours are down on the L-XJT side so we need to figure out how to get together on this for both sides, so go stuff your militancy. I don't know either of you, nor am I taking sides, just my interpretation if what occurred.

By the way, the issue with publishing schedules on the L-ASA side is contractural, not a function of PBS in and of itself. Most people here actually like PBS, although we can't stand how long it takes to publish schedules.

 

Sorry to burst your bubble and let facts get in the way of your "I hate PBS" circle jerk.....but PBS HAS NOTHING to do with ASA getting their schedules on the date we do. It's caused by how and when Delta has historically given the flying to us to build the trips. The rest is just the way the contract is written. it can be NEGOTIATED to change if we so desired, with or without PBS.

Now, continue..........

 

Its not about being militant. Its about demanding what we deserve. We have been under a concesionary contract now for quite sometime. Even so, our contract is superior to most other regionals. Our pay rates have not kept up with inflation for too long, ever since ASA management took over our QOL has generally decreased. My problem is that it seems that far too many ASA guys are happy with their current situation. I want us all to achieve a better contract, not just for those at the top like Captain Tony, but from year one to the top of the scale. The scenery is changing daily we have to protect everyone including the most junior guys. Maybe you guys just don't understand because your current contract was an improvement to what you had prior. Not us, we knew what is was like to have better pay, awesome work rules and great QOL. We just want those days back. With pay that can support my family..you understand what I mean? Like I said in an earlier post, we have to vote on this contract as if we wre going to have to work the rest of our careers under it.

 

Oh? So if everyone hates the fact that your schedules are issued so late, why hasn't anything been done about it?

 

We are in negotiations now. It will change with the next contract.

 

While it may not be 'about being militant', you sure appear to come off that way. You say it's about demanding what you deserve. Ok. Based on what? Unfortunately, that demand is subjective based on the point of view of 4500ish pilots, and this isn't a democracy, it is a business. Please keep in mind that things will never be like they were. I'm not being argumentative, nor am I picking sides, it's just a fact. Too many things are different from how they were to ever go back. For instance, 'how things were' was based on a contract with Continental, which no longer exists, and the UA folks aren't going to do things the same way Continental did. There is no going back.

Yes, we could be here for a career. Yes, we all want that to be a good
place to be, but we won't be able to really work toward making this a better place until the divisiveness and animosity are gone, or at least reduced to a dull roar. Let's work together for a realistic contract that works for all involved. It will be better for all of us that way.

 

We got our schedules AT THE SAME TIME when we had your treasured line bidding! It is because Delta delivers the flying to our crew planning nearly the same time that you get your schedules. It didn't change when we got PBS. So I say again, it has NOTHING to do with PBS! That said, there are some changes that we could negotiate in a jcba. The bid runs could go quicker, results published sooner, and the reserves should not have to wait so long. But it still is NOT because of pbs, so get over that!

 

Well said. I think part of the reason the old Coex pilots have this view of the world is that they were accustomed to operating in a different climate than exists now for them - and everyone. They "grew up" in aviation as the sole coex carrier, with a different contract with their partner than they have now. There never was competition for them, and they never competed or bid for flying. Their profit margin was probably 10%, not the less than 1% that Majors have forced on their Regional partners. They are unable to shift from this dichotomy and view their world as different now. Do I want - and think I should get - paid much better than I do? Absolutely! But I understand that this is how the business works. Costs are squeezed to the bone now. New companies are formed to undercut those already on a contract and seniority list. ACA, Feedumb, Allegheny, Mesaba, Colgon and Comair are gone. AirWisn shifted from UAL to USAIR. Mesa has shrunk. Pinnacle is about to shrink. This isn't the same regional industry and many of the L-XJT pilots cant or refuse to see this. You can't demand to price your company out of business, and that it's managements problem to figure out how afford to pay it. The Coex days are gone, and the era of "competing for contracts is here - unfortunately.

 

Correct.

Were those concessions imposed in bankruptcy, or did your pilot group willingly vote them in?

If you hate your job this much, please do us all a favor and quit.

Oh, one more thing, i've been here 12 years. Hardly super senior, but "old enough" to know you're just another "entitled" junior pilot who thinks the world owes him a favor. Get over yourself. You're entitled to nothing.

What he said. Duh.

 

That was a flamboyantly ignorant post.

Our bid doesn't close until COB on the 14th. It's hard to get your line "within the first 10 days of the month" when you're still bidding half way through the month.

Yes, the bidding timeline sucks, but the bid hasn't closed until the 14th for as long as I've been around, PBS or not.