That "career" you want to move on to is also flying from point A to B, so by your own definition only a "job". Over the years management has been able to drag all our careers/jobs down with lower pay and benefits by getting one group to cave, and then going to every other pilot group with the need for concessions to be "competitive". If, all pilot groups would stop voting yes to unnecessary concessions then this slide can end now! Expressjet and your MEC already said NO, management at all regionals is having a harder time getting people to come work for the crappy wages/conditions they've created.

It's already been laid out for you by many, but you either refuse to see, or acknowledge that voting NO helps to stop the downward pressure on the entire industry. This includes downward pressure on your vaunted mainline job/career! That's how your NO vote would help you.
So far management has been winning because they have been able to sway you and many other self-centered voters to keep voting yes, all the while using your(and others) naiveness to chip away the pay and benefits at one group after the next.

 

It IS a job. We aren't truly changing the world. But, the same can be said for people making 10 or 100 times our salaries. In fact, I'd say your average inspirational "world changer" doesn't make much in real terms or relative to what they've changed.

However, have some pride in what you do! This is a different job than many. At times it's easy. You know, at times the Dr. doing Lasik surgery has it pretty easy too - push a button, watch the machine go to work. At times an attorney has a case that is so straightforward he can almost phone it in, but if he/she's in high demand, the hour is still billed at $1000 for expertise and experience. Both of those examples are very much worth their pay when a challenging situation comes up and they have the experience and knowledge to handle it correctly.

I don't know your full background, but in the aircraft, I can promise you there have been many days where I have earned my pay dozens of times over and avoided something could have been a headline if handled poorly. I'm sure any pilot (Captain or FO) with a few thousand or more hours can say the same. You are worth only what you negotiate. But you should really value your skill set, knowledge and expertise, not to mention time away from family, etc, farm more than you seem to here.

 

I agree with most of your post other than that we are worth what we negotiate. In my opinion we are worth what supply and demand dictates. Unions are a relic of the industrial era and serve more to bleed their members of dues than anything else.

I do value the skills I've cultivated in this career path, that's why I refuse to be stuck somewhere that does not appreciate my abilities and I'll do anything I can to move on. I really do admire the altruistic ideal of "standing up for industry" and I wish you guys success but it's just not me.

 

They do not value our skills and abilities in any airline. Is a job and we are a number...

 

So then you should be expecting a major pay cut and benefits reduction at the mainlines since supply out numbers the demand.
Your logic, not mine.

They do appreciate you, they appreciate you for being weak, spineless and will help this side of the industry go lower because you want something for free. Management only respects something they are afraid of and pilots like you they do not respect, they love you for existing to enhance there bonuses but that is as far it goes and they expect you, they demand from you to vote yes and you will. There will be a Christmas card in the mail from management this years, a picture of them sitting on a pile of money there bonuses.

Vote NO be happy

 

Supply is not greater than demand, in 10 years everyone will be hurting for pilots, including majors.

 

Yeah and in 10 years eagle will still be stuck with a contract in negotiations because you voted this in.

 

I wouldn't even bother explaining to bzzt. It's not even worth it.

 

You're absolutely right... Thought I could use reason, logic, and common sense to get through, but no such luck.

 

In 10 years no one on property will still be here. Let's indulge the scenario where we are though.

AAG would have a fleet commitment at Eagle that would be in their best financial interest to comply with. If eagle was then unable to staff the committed flying because of a regional pilot shortage (which is already here) then they would be forced to increase compensation to attract pilots.

You can talk about "reasoning" with me but so far all I've seen is emotion and doomsday theories. There is no math to back up voting this down unless you're a lifer. Everyone will either A) move to AA faster or B) upgrade faster this increasing compensation over the current contract. If one of those economy shattering events come to pass it won't matter at all what contract you have, the companies will go to bankruptcy for relief and they'll get it.

I understand the anger, I felt it when LAX closed as a crew base. It doesn't do any good though, just makes you bitter. I looked at the facts and this deal suits me personally better than the current contract. I hope everyone votes, whether it be yes or no so we can get this nonsense behind us.