Quote:
Originally Posted by rickair7777
This has been discussed ad naseum. The conventional wisdom is that no regional (even big ones) have enough financial resources to support the types of benefits/activities that one expects of an airline union. Supposedly the economy of scale allows national to provide some things like insurance and high-end legal/negotiating assistance.
I was just talking about having the level of "services" your current structure costs. SAPA knows how much this cost is at current levels. The Frontier pilots have an independent union and make it work. They may be a good resource for information.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Also like I said I'd like to see progress towards national unity, although that may well be impossible at the regional level...it would be helpful if we were all one union or maybe two that could join forces.
I would like to see that kind of unity. But you have to take baby steps first, get your balance, before you decide to walk or run. Anyway, this may be the first domino to fall towards that end.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickair7777
National probably needs a little more authority...but I certainly recall national refusing to sign a contract with JO a few years back.
That was because the administrative manual was not followed when negotiating concessions. Theoretically that's the way it's supposed to work anyway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickair7777
But at the major level the pilots don't compete directly for flying, and the company isn't going to liquidate itself out of spite if the pilots get a good contract. There's a lot more potential for coordination and teamwork at the major level. With regionals, it's just wack-a-mole, and people are learning not to stick their heads up.
Companies will not liquidate out of spite, regardless. These are business decisions, not emotional based decisions. But I agree that coordination on contract negotiations is a lot easier at the majors but it's not an impossibility at the regionals either. But one thing is for certain, without Skywest having a collective bargaining agent, there will never be any meaningful coordination.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CJC1024
I wouldn't say ALPA does nothing for the regional carriers. For example - they do a great job of keeping bad pilots in the air. You can do all three of these things and keep your job.
1. Land at the wrong airport
2. Refuse to deice and take off with heavy frost / snow accumulation.
3. Do a quick turn with one engine running.
This was all one person mind you. So yes when it comes to certificate action - ALPA knows what they're doing at the regionals.
There is definitely truth to this. Just as OJ was entitled to a defense, so is any pilot that is represented by a union. If management doesn't present a good enough case, just as with OJ, then the accused is off the hook. Temporarily at least. Once you have a union, the burden of proof falls on management, opposite of what you have now. But without a union, unlike an alleged criminal that at least has a public defender, you have to pay for your own defense. Ask DD about that. Anyway, once you put yourself on the radar, the company will eventually get something on you. At least that has been my experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickair7777
There is more talk now than any time since 2006. An in-house union has pretty much been ruled out by the likely ring-leaders. But know of no interest on the part of ALPA itself, and am not sure what it would take to get them interested.
ALPA has taken a stance that if a pilot group has interest, they will have to take the initiative all by themselves to form an organizing committee with a very large membership before they will do anything. Ask the JetBlue pilots and they will let you know from their recent experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disillusioned
CC
Check the internal forums. I'm glad to see the issue being discussed. I agree that it is time to stop the backwards slide because we shouldn't be discussing concessions when we are holding Inc up. PBS transparency alone is worth 2% to me. Wait until we see how many Bro guys get bent over with the reduction. I bet it would be worth some money for them to have an idea of how to plan their life over the next year.
Are the Bro guys all going to be put on involuntary reserve like the sfo guys?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy Canuck
Yeah you guys are right, the scheduling here is pretty poor I won't argue with that. I suppose the fact that I'm trying to work extra mitigates that frustration for me. As far as the "kool aid" I wouldn't go that far. I've definitely had a few days where I've wanted to punch a hole in the wall courtesy of good ol CS. I've also filed a couple of PICs already so I think I've seen the ugly side as well as the good. However, I've spent more than enough time in the past being a negative wretch about my work and allowing that to poison my attitude and make me miserable. I refuse to do that any longer.
I've been fortunate enough to fly mostly with guys that share my enthusiasm for being positive. So I'm reporting what I've seen. I also don't think a union is going to solve our problems as much as they will create new ones. But what do I know? I'm just a new guy
You don't have to be a negative wretch. You can be positive and also have the opinion that you would be better off with a union. Think of it this way, if SAPA was the same organization it is now with the same people in its leadership and committees, except for that they were recognized by the NMB as your collective bargaining agent, how would that create any more problems than they do now? Giving them union status just gives them an actual voice, a place at the table, more tools to use, leverage, etc. It shouldn't change anything as far as your current labor-management relations. What problems do you think would be created?