The downfall that you dont see is the commutability. With the rigs they dont pay you not to fly. You will fly all those hours in butt seat time a day at least. All of the noncomuttable pairs adds numerous days a month away from home not getting paid.

 

Because in the eyes of the NMB, this agreement is more than good enough. Has anyone ever been released to strike after having made an agreement? I doubt it. This deal is a significant improvement, the NMB won't have any sympathy for a no vote and push for release.

 

I believe the 43% average pay rate increase is misleading considering you will likely have to work more hours per month/year under PBS than under line bidding. Look at your “effective” pay rate under current book by dividing 2017 earnings by block hours flown. My block was 58% of my credit for 2017, as a commuting line holder, with zero JRMS or special deals. If I have to work 40% more to make 40% more, am I still getting a 40% pay increase?

 

Ahhhh the old “effective rate” term. I understand what you’re saying but you could have the worlds highest effective rate and still have the lowest W2.

 

W2s aren’t everything.

 

Right.
It’s w2/time off=QOL
Effective rate is a punchline. The devils in the details.

Don’t think for a second that w2 isn’t everything. It’s what makes this career worth dealing with.

 

I'm a SWA guy watching this with some interest...

Here's what I see from outside looking in:

* Your pay. Will you be able to look at your "Discount Fares, Not Discount Pilots" lanyards and believe you're no longer a "discount pilot"? Only you can answer that.

* Is there any reason for the company to stagger your 401k contributions in this fashion? That was one thing I was against with our contract here. We're at 14.2% now and will reach 15% in January 2019. In my opinion, there was absolutely ZERO reason for the company not to go straight to 15%. That was a pure discount for the company. Whether that's good enough, it's purely up to you.

* LTD is huge indeed. Do you maintain your health insurance with Spirit if you're out on LTD? Something to keep an eye on... the devil is in details. What good is LTD if your medical premiums aren't covered and you're dumped from your health insurance plan?

* PBS. Ugh... that alone would be a no vote from me without an otherwise industry-leading contract as that's generally a major concession and a win for the company. The devil is in details...

My final parting shot... don't get blinded by the numbers and don't fear the mediator. Remember, the mediator's job is to get you to an acceptable agreement. Only you can decide whether you consider this to be an acceptable agreement in today's environment. Aside from your counterparts at other airlines, think tax cuts, and the extra money that Spirit will be keeping as the result of the new tax law.

Congratulations on the AIP.

 

Since you are looking from the outside in you should direct those questions to our mediator. We have been in mediation for a year and a half now and she has been siding with the company almost every step of the way. She has stated numerous times that we will not get released due to the fact that the compensation package with a 43% raise, is the highest since the Railroad Labor Act (apparently) or something to that extent. Since you are from the outside looking in you have probably not seen our unions previous asks and the company's previous proposals. Our union has pushed for way way way above what has been agreed to in the AIP however with this mediator it's not so simple as you make it out to be. Our MEC has fought tooth and nail for almost 3 years on every single detail of this new contract. So to assume that we are just rolling over is a complete exaggeration and the thoughts of someone who doesn't work here and hasn't followed our process and dealings over the last 3 years.

Congratulations on sharing your uninformed opinion.

 

A bit harsh, lol. Hes just offering his opinion and he has some valid points.

 

Yea you are right lol but I think I made my point.