I was heading to the meeting, but got called out on short call. I would have voted against the raw bucket resolution as well as the one concerning the 7ER category.

See my edit. I didn't mean to come across as short/insensitive in my initial reply (I'm junior too)

Read your edit...

I don't think that the smartest way to require more staffing is to create a way for senior reserves to take the month off.

I also think that on the 7ER resolution that if a 767 pilot chose to displace to an international category then they knew what they were getting in to. If you are not willing to fly international, bid another airplane.

I understand the resolution process, and I have emailed my reps with my thoughts on these. I was wanting to get some feedback on here just to see what others thought of them.

Seriously, not trying to be one here either, but you said not a single dissenting vote was made. How many people were there? How many were in the bottom half of reserve seniority (i.e. weren't working on a 16-day beard? ,<<joke). I'm curious if any LEC members helped a 44 member work on this resolution or had an idea it would be brought forward. Wouldn't it behoove members if there was some advance notice as to what resolutions were expected to be discussed? Seems to me that if you plan on proposing a resolution it should have to be put on the agenda so everyone knows about it.

But I do know that our LEC and the SOT got an earful from pilots who did not like the SOT's actions regarding the bucket system. You would think that would have at least been taken into consideration or discussed. Was it? I personally don't think what you described is how it should work; the LEC should consider the interests of more than just those who are able to make the meeting.

WRT the seniority on reserve issue, the reason the discrepancy is so apparent right now is we are overstaffed in several categories (and in the slow part of the year.) Once they finally get rid of the overstaffing, which this latest AE did a good deal of, most reserves will be flying most of the time. There won't be guys "taking the month off", especially once we get into summer flying.

I get that junior guys don't like flying when they see senior guys not doing anything - I've been there. The point was made at the meeting that the more we spread the flying evenly (like going back to no bucket system, or making the buckets smaller) the fewer pilots will be required in each category, thus the most junior guy that's ****ed because he's junior and flying all the time, won't be needed anymore and he would fall off to be more senior in a lower category. Not being doomsday, just simply pointing out that staffing inefficiencies are a good thing for the group as a whole.

We all need to ask ourselves, especially the junior guys - Do I dislike the buckets because they are fundamentally hurting the pilot group? Or do I dislike them because someone else is getting a good deal and I'm not?

I'm personally in favor of completely getting rid of the buckets and days of availability groups and going to straight seniority. I'd also like to see a hard cap and/or bow-wave type system. Anything that allows the company greater access to our productivity should be minimized IMO. Anything else, like smaller buckets, is giving a concession to the company.

There were some concerns but they were addressed prior to the vote taking place, and no one said "nay." I'd estimate maybe 40-60 pilots were there (out of ~4000).

Both sides were discussed, and I did not get the impression that this was being snuck in under the radar. By the accounts of several guys in the room there was a good representation of "bottom half" reserve guys.

I agree with your idea of posting the agenda ahead of time. It would give guys an extra incentive to show up if they felt strongly about one or more of the resolutions on the docket. It would be nice to see that in the future.

As far as the vote goes, the reps do not get to decide what is brought for as a resolution. They could completely disagree with the resolution, but if they are directed to act by the members that show up that day, they have no choice. They may personally agree with your concerns, but are now compelled to take this resolution to the MEC for further consideration. That's why it's so important to attend the meetings if one feels strongly about an issue (not directed at you GG).

Emails & phone calls are great to provide feedback, and that feedback is taken into consideration when they are voting themselves at the MEC level, but they only moderate the discussion that leads to a vote at the LEC meetings - they don't direct themselves, but instead receive direction (via resolution) by those physically present at the meeting.

Interestingly, a pilot at the meeting suggested that he would like to see meetings take place online so more pilots could participate/vote. That's another concept that I think should be explored seriously.

The next time we have negotiating capital to spend, it should be spent on hard caps for all types of swaps and payrates so line holders will stop flying 100 hr months. That would have a bigger impact than continuing to jack around with reserve.

How are bucket systems a "concession?" They are simply a method of distribution. They do not affect the amount of flying being done by reserves.

I'd vote in favor of that resolution too

I'm a jerk and posted an obnoxiously huge picture.

Okay I don't see this resolution on the 44 page... unless I'm missing it.