This already went unanswered (kinda scary). No one should ever cross that line. There’s a four letter word for that and it ruins your career.

But everyone knows that…

Couldn't be further from the truth. But you know me, so you must be right.

Very scary that I don't read every post on here. I'll do better next time.

There are three scenarios here that I think are getting a little messed up.

Normal times - VDA to your heart’s content. No one should care.

On strike - Don’t do it!

Labor dispute - This is the one that’s really being talked about here and the one that gets mixed feelings. I think the short term gain of VDA (during a labor dispute) impacts the long term gain for both the individual and the pilot group. Therefore, I wouldn’t do it. If you SERIOUSLY needed it for a family medical emergency or something, I’d support it, but I don’t think that’s the scenario being discussed.

I know what you wrote and what you said to justify it. And I find it inexcusable.

They are both fruit. However while I’m glad to hear you say that we all know the chances of a strike ever happening are slim. So it’s easy to be like nope while a labor dispute is absolutely probable.

I’m not attacking anyone personally they can do as they wish, obviously the union will never tell you what to do as well. My view is do whatever you want now but when it gets to labor dispute time hopefully we all do simply what is required and no more.

As a point of reference here, when DALs pairings went into a similar toilet as ours they quickly picketed, and I believe they got some relief. We were voting to sell scope for peanuts at the same time.

DAL, the highest compensated airline pilots in the industry just voted 99% to strike. Us? We gave the company a pass on all the garbage in our contract and are most likely begging for a sub inflation pay raise - that will certainly pass.

The difference between our pilot groups comes down to unity, self worth and a spine. We lack all three.

As for picking up VDA, while true if we stopped picking up open time we would certainly see a better contact quicker, I think since this group seems to relish working for less, picking up as much premium as possible is a valid way to insulate yourself from the economic damage caused that 65% of the group.

Don’t forget having useful union leadership. We sorely lack that, not just at the top either. If we had that, it could fix/make up for those 3 issues.

It seems that newer pilots leaving has only accelerated despite the new contract extension. 31 gone in Jan and 24 so far in Feb.

Sooo anyways.
whats the latest word rumor mill etc froh the the B6 side. Crickets over here at NK. Had a jumpseater who said there were some emails going around about the future combined basing etc but again nothing like that over here.