This meltdown is one reason why it would've been better to have filed for mediation earlier. Based on typical times in mediation, there's very little chance that we'll be released from mediation anytime in the next year. Of course, the railroads proved that the average time in mediation isn't always a good guide when they were released after only 134 days in mediation. But that was an extraordinarily short amount of time to attain a release.

Anyhow, had we been in mediation longer right now, the chances of us actually being released sometime in the next six months would also be higher. That would've allowed us to more effectively capitalize on the meltdown if there was a realistic possibility that we might be released sometime fairly soon. I doubt that management would want to follow up this debacle in quick succession with another debacle in the form of a real chance that pilots might shut the place down for any length of time.

I hope that SWAPA doesn't commit any more similar major unforced errors this contract cycle like, say, putting out a milquetoast Alaska-esque or Delta-esque TA after a SAV and before a release from mediation.

Well they entertained a holiday pay MOU, so there's that. I thought we all said no more until we get a contract. This is exactly what we were thinking would happen and they entertained bailing them out again. Smh

They entertained it with Contract 2020 asks being incorporated. Just doing due diligence. I have no problem with that…

With a mediator watching you think SWAPA should have turned their backs?

idk the inner workings of that, but it was pretty clear no more MOUs till we get a contract. If we could've got a big ask, maybe.
do you think the moderator cares when more grievances stack up in mediition?
genuine question idk how it works

This ^^^^. I talked to one of the MDW reps during the meltdown and that’s exactly what she told me.

that's what they put out, but my question is... is this what the membership asked for?
Im pretty sure the majority said no MOUs till we get a contract. That should be it, full stop!
this is how we get flight plan 2020 - a billion.
seriously why do we shoot ourselves in the foot?

The SAV needs to happen now. There's no better time.

they had me at hello

I agree that a SAV should occur in the coming days. We need to as a pilot group highlight that we do not stand for this disaster. Publicly, we would show our disapproval for what just occurred, stand with our passengers, while subtly reminding management of what a strike could cause on its operation. It would also make it more difficult for them to sweep this away under the rug and out of media reporting.

I think the irony of all this is that management brought onto itself the equivalent of a strike all on its own. I really hope they open their eyes to what an epic failure this last week was, and continues to be.