I think anyone in their right mind would rather keep that 2% and put in their 401k or pay their mortgage or start a business or buy a boat. But where do you think the wages and benefits came from to allow you to do those things? Out of the kindness of management's heart? Ask a SkyWest newhire FO how much fun living in California or Chicago is on $19/hr.

 

Unions.

No.

Thanks for getting my point...

-LAFF

 

I'm with Rick7777, fix Mesa, Trans States, and if ALPA can find the time to get the GoJet flying back to Trans States, then I'll vote for it as well.

Isn't ALPA in a conflict of interest by promoting/allowing/not doing anything to prevent Mesa, SKYW, etc., from flying 900s for what they get paid? Also, I thought everyone on here thought that the 900 is for mainline, so why is ALPA not standing up for the majors and fixing scope language in the major airlines' contracts that they represent? Why is ALPA national not telling the Mesa and whoever else is ALPA that flies 900s not to do it because it hurts us all in the long run? Why is that?

Rick7777 hits it dead on, fix the carriers that have less than we do at SkyWest before telling us how we need ALPA.

I also checked our policy manual today. It specifically states that it is an "agreement" between SkyWest, Inc. and the pilots. I look forward to losing my job when they change something in there without the approval of all parties, which is also written in there, and I file a lawsuit against them! (Wishful thinking, I know!) But truly, our Policy Manual is written like a contract and specifically states all parties must agree and that the Policy Manual is an Agreement!

However, apparently the F/A's went to court, filed a class action suit and lost. I believe it was regarding pay. I would personally like the opportunity to hear the reasoning the judge gave for not finding that this "agreement" between SkyWest and its F/A's exists and ruling in favor of SkyWest.

And before all of the pro-ALPA nuts go off, Trans States' contract was also broken by Uncle Hoolas by creating GoJet. ALPA went to court to prove that GoJet was an Alter-Ego airline, which clearly was in violation against page one of TSA's contract regarding Alter-Ego airlines, and take a wild guess who came out of the court room smiling?

Now everyone go off on me and tell me I am ruining the industry instead of answering my questions!

 

Of course I'd rather put it into a 401k, but as I have said before unions are necessary in this industry. Of course I recognize that SKW's policies are based on union negotiated contracts. Every industry has room for one or two companies that voluntarily meet the standard without a union. I have paid union dues in the past and will likely do so again. My current problem with alpa is not the 2%, it is:

1) The damage they would likely do to SKW. I have seen alpa at work at my previous airline and don't want that in my life now. If SKW descends to the level of other regionals (no it's not there yet) then maybe a union would be necessary (hopefully in-house)

2) The fact that the alpa implementation at the regional level is an abject failure (and a lot of major guys aren't much happier). They appear to have disregarded the regionals and left them to flounder, or possibly even sabotaged them to the benefit of the majors.


On the positive side, the new guy Prater has made all the right noises and appears to recognize the problems on the regional side. Maybe he will make some headway, but we'll have to wait and see.

I would be interested in alpa if they able were to:

1) Fix mesa, and the other jacked-up alpa regionals.
2) Establish a NATIONAL plan and standards as to where this profession is headed, and then enforce it.

v/r,
R

 

really civilized. i don't bother jumpin around on message boards. i just stick to one, sorry it happens to be the one where you try and play nice. any who, like i said, they implemented it without asking, most people threw a fit, and then they eventually chaged it back. so relax man,, you are wound up way to tight!

 

That starting wage is pretty pathetic. If you figure in duty time the starting wage is probably closer to $13.50/hr. TO FLY A JET! What a bargain for them. If only the flying public knew. I can see it now in USA Today!


If the public knew this, they probably wouldn't get on a plane. Maybe the US Govt. needs to mandate a Minimum Starting Wage for an Airline Pilot since it involves the Safety of Millions of Americans. Maybe that should go into the Patriot Act.