I think they are just in panic mode now that there is real pressure to get the contract done. I have several issues with Flightline and Smart Pref does have potential, but the snake oil sales pitch has got to stop. If it's a good program, it will prove itself. If the XJT guys really are sold on it, why don't they create an MOU and change their bidding system now?

It's also funny how history keeps being revised. The ASA union research team asked for specific work rule modifications, but the Smart Pref team said it was too much and now some guys on here are claiming we were trying to recreate Prefbid. Then the Smart Pref rep send out his letter, basically telling the ASA MEC they were unprofessional and closing the door to further discussions.

Funny to me when the ASA guys say 'prove it' the response is 'you're not willing to listen'.

 

The "research" team didn't know what they were looking at. Maybe they should havedone some actual research before showing up and asking dumb questions. You dont walk into a Lexus dealership and act suprised they dont have a Mercedes. You also don't treat the lexus employees like garbage because you decide to ask questions about how to turn a Lexus into a Mercedes. It is also bad form to then play it off like you actually did your "research."

 

Having met and spoke with the people that did the research, this is no where near an accurate representation of them. They know exactly what they are doing and I don't envy the job they have getting this stuff worked out.

 

Wow. This contract will truly never happen. I really understand now. Its not the whole "you can lead a horse to water but cant make him drink" argument....its first trying to convience someone that they are a horse in the first place. What i mean by this is that these guys arent conspiring against us, they truly believe they are right. Sadly they will never look at the presentation by the XJT MEC, so they most likely will never see what this system can truly be. I think someone said it earlier and it makes a lot of sense: ask yourself one question. If flightline is such a massive concession for the XJT guys (and it is) that they are unwilling to accept it, then logic would tell you that what they are proposing must be a massive improvement to what the ASA guys have now. If we arent willing to switch to anything less than what we have now, then this would have to be equal at the very least. Management WILL NOT sign a contract containing flightline unless its without vacation low, this system provides those same benifits but does not require it. So even if we agree to flightline it would have to be without vacation low, are you guys ok with that? I know we arent.

 

SmartPref is being run parallel to the EWR and CLE secondary bid schedule this week. (For February, Relief Line holders, & Reserves)

IIRC we have already run a solution for EWR on the January schedule, and most of those awards were manually placed by Crew Scheduling.

So, there is, and will be HARD data for your JNC / MEC to look at if they want to.

 

So, following your line of reasoning: you have it firsthand (or even a reliable second hand) from someone in Mgmt (who actually has the juice to make it a reality) that XJT managment is anxious to sign on to a system that is a "massive improvement" over what we ASA guys have now. You guys must be really good to talk them into that. The stars are really lining up. Isnt it great to be the smartest guys in the room? By the way, Ive got a really nice bridge to sell you. Goes over the East River, Roebling built it, great investment.
For you my friend, I make special deal.....

Talk about not knowing you are a horse.... Some posters on these interweb boards seem to have it all figured out, really KNOW what management wants. Absolutely KNOW what the "other" MEC thinks, wants, did or said behind closed doors. Turns out, they are not just conspiring against you, but sadly delusional and need to be saved from themselves.

Too much "who's right" instead of 'what's right". Any PBS is simply a marginally interactive system for turning pairings into lines. Those on either side who are getting wrapped around the axle over any of it, well, good luck with that. So many bigger fish to fry. Yes, the jetlinkers are in all likelyhood headed down the primrose path trying to re-invent the wheel. And yes the candlers are not be giving this new wheel the benefit of the doubt. But a couple of years from now, no one will give a flying $&#@. Either system will be turning pairings into lines. The quality of the pairings and the other 99% of the contract (you know, the stuff that is actually worth getting worked up over) will be the major factors determining our QOL. Flightline vs Smartpref is worth debating, it does have some consequences, but how about a little perspective. While everyone is arguing over who gets to call the plays, the game is being lost.

 

Page after page, Mine is bigger than yours. Pull it out and prove it. Stop saying it's better. Say WHY it is better.

 

Would the ASA guys even want a joint contract and SLI? Isn't united a scope like deltas, as in Expressjet is gonna lose half their fleet like Pinnacle?

Honest question.....

 

The way UAL scope reads and the current XJT CPA, XJT has replacment rights to a certain amount of the larger RJs. If the full terms of the UAL scope are exercised, it would be a loss of approx 40 aircraft within 5 years on the L-XJT side. This is if they parked all the 50 seaters they possibily could and we saw no growth anywhere else. As i understand it, management is currently trying to figure out how to stay in the Delta Connection business long term now that PNCLs rates are so cheap. Both sides arent exactly in a rosey situation.

 

I honestly dont know how many more examples I could possibily post on here across various threads.