Mind you, I'm not in favor of furlough's whatsoever, just stating how they have been historically looked at in past mergers and how the company views them. They make you turn in your books etc..in their eye's you aren't even an employee..merely a debt in the ledger for benefits they pay out...

well there is a valid argument. "if the company had their way, a layoff would be used...." Too bad for the company that we have a union contract. Furlough with recall rights is the rule. And with mandatory retirements, all furloughees will be back...if they so choose. And with LONGEVITY now in the mix, I reckon it's going to matter how many years active service these furloughees have/had, eh?

Sled

I admit that UAL brings more widebody flying to the table, but you act as if that is a reason to staple CAL! A fair integration will be had, I will live with it, and enjoy the rest of my career! Can you say the same???

Why don't you ask any of the regional guys where they would have liked to work if the merger had never happened?

Oh, this oughta be good. Do tell.....

Sled, I have no idea why that date is printed on every page (nor do I really care). Bid 12-03 would have come out in March, 2011. That's how CAL bids have historically worked. Perhaps there is some sort of error. I have no idea.

I am certain that both Merger Committee's have the correct data and are working day and night to put forth their best arguments. The best thing for you to do right now is to find a hobby and wait until August or September. Your perspective is neither interesting nor relevant. If it makes you feel any better, however, I will listen sincerely and compassionately to your perspective when you fly as my FO after the integration.

Recall to resume expectations as an active employee.

Not disagreeing on Active service on property either...

That's actually nor correct. EVERY furloughed United pilot in history was called back. Even the furloughs after 9/11 got called back.

Guess what, they are coming back NOW!

You are correct that for a few of them they will have some ZERO dollar paycheck years, but the top 400 in the UAL seniority list were all furloughed and they all had a great career after a short furlough because of the widebody flying United had and currently has.

But I'd be willing to bet that absent the merger, more UAL pilots would have been widebody Captains that CAL pilots who were active. That can be shown statistically and proven and furloughees ARE on the seniority list (which is what is being integrated) and they also have a career expectation.

They also have longevity, some more and some less.

The top 400 had a short furlough? What do you call short? The top 400 probably will have had a better career than you lax because they have a sack, but they have been hammered also, just ask them about that a plan.

"If their base structure and work rules were like ours, and every pilot that could actually hold Captain bid it, their junior Captain would be a 1994 hire."

Yup... don't forget to brag about your pre contract 12 payrates, and all the airplanes you had on order prior to the merger announcement.... oh wait, did you have any. Oh maybe I need to ask a Skywest or Republic guy about airplane orders and growing at the LUAL.

Come on guys... Let the arbitrator decide. You guys walked out of mediation so one can only assume it was not going well for LUAL.