Quote:
Originally Posted by Super80
99% of APA pilots are ready to burn the house down.
You couldn't be more wrong. In fact, your hubris and misconceptions threaten to blow up in our face after many pilots get complacent thinking "it's in the bag." Far from it. Just because you read a lot of chest thumping on various internet message boards, doesn't mean it represents "99%" of the seniority list.
You think AMR is just going to cough up a multi-BILLION dollar contract? You think it is bad/stressful now? Wait until we get close to a job action and guys start getting fired, sued, thrown in jail, or all of the above.
Sure, there is a small percentage of pilots that are either financially independent of the job at AA, or could become so relatively quickly. However, let's examine a couple of realities.
Most pilots have NO back up plan, and no secondary skill sets. If a Captain lost his $150,000 job today, what job (with ZERO experience) would he be able to pick up tomorrow that pays a comparable salary?
In today's economy, how many $100K+ jobs are there actually out there? How many even $50K+ jobs are out there? Out of those, how many people are vying for them, and how many of those are FAR more experienced than the pilot?
You are assuming everyone wil participate. There is already a huge faction of x-TWA pilots that have told their base chair that they will refuse to participate in ASH. There is also an embarassingly large number that have said that they will outright scab. (Before the x-TWA types start howling on here, I have already confirmed this information from several sources at APA. It is not just a rumor.) There is also the large nAAtive contingent that is scared out of their minds right now. There are actually pilots that are "outraged" that APA is asking for a "raise" right now. If you don't believe me, call your base chair and ask them about some of the hate mail, soundoffs, and phone calls they get. (I have confirmed this info as well) What will the Eagle pilots do? What "offer" will their union serve up to AMR in an effort to secure larger jets on Eagle property?
What about national politics? What will Obama do? Will other unions support a non-AFL-CIO union? What support will we get from congress? What will AMR do in court? Will there be injunctions and/or restraining orders?
Before you start throwing rocks at the messenger, consider I am one of the few that is actually financially dependent of the airline. I am also cognisant of the fact that I am in the minority. If you think that AMR corporation isn't acutely aware of these facts, you are naive. They will use this fact and exploit it to their advantage. They have done so in the past, and will continue to do so (very effictively) in the future.
The bottom like is, most guys are scared to lose their job. They have no skills to fall back on and could not get a job that pays nearly what a pilot salary pays.
With these factors, is it really possible to get a great contract? YES. All I am saying is that it will not be easy. Despite the things I have listed working againsed us, you have to look at what we do have going for us.
- A possibly labor friendly government
- The threat of a general strike
- The possibility that the government will not allow corporations to "use" the court system to trump the RLA and collective bargaining (1113c filings)
- Management losing 10's of thousands of shares of bonus stock in a BK filing. IOW, they have a lot to lose in BK as well. I don't think they want to go there.
- Idiotic management taking ridiculous bonuses after tanking our airline and making egregious errors. A great motivator i.e. ****ed off pilots
- "Hardliners" running the union that will not cut concessionary deals
- Surprisingly good financials around the corner (small commentary - we are first in line for "snapback" contracts. What we get will play a HUGE role in what other pilot groups ask for or attain. With that being said, AMR and the ATA have a HUGE interest in making airline financials look horrible right now, and scaring us into submission. IOW, I don't think the airlines are nearly as bad off as they proclaim. Have you calculated that savings from cheap fuel and fees alone?)
With all of the above considered, I have concluded that we will prevail. I think the union is doing a good job in keeping the membership engaged, ****ed off, informed, and neutralizing management FUD. I believe some of the factors we have going for us will overcome some of the pitfalls we have facing us. Again, this is just my opinion. My opinion and a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Your opinion and mileage will vary.
Before signing off, I just have to say - If you are sill reading my unibomber style rant, I am impressed! You can cross yourself off the list for a possible candidate of ADD!
PP