gonyon

"Friends flying friends". "Free smiles". "High fives"

Vomit

gonyon

Mostly disagree. I wish we didn't fly trash cans around. I probably have a bit too much personal pride. I agree it's mgmts deal and they seem to be doing a good job running the business. But I would stop short of saying I don't give a rats ass because I wish I could have at least a little more pride in the product.


Ual swa and usairways have waaaay cleaner aircraft.

Normann

It is not so much that I don't believe the company can't pay us SW rates. I ask everyone I am flying with about their response to the poll. Based on what I hear I usually feel like a greedy bastard compared to them. If most pilots don't want it, the union will not aim for it, and it will not happen. In 10 years, if the success story continues, this may change. Most guys say they would rather take a somewhat smaller chunk now, then later when we become stronger ask for me.

If I look at the general opinion in this thread, it seems everyone wants something much better than JB, but not quite SW yet. But all the above is my subjective opinion and nothing more.

>>>break>>>

I have been in at least 20 jumpseats on AA in the past two years and I did not see anything like what we have in our older airplanes. Not in the cockpit and also not in the cabin.

If you are OK with a filthy cockpit than I don't know what to say. I guess some guys show up in black sneakers and in white fishing shirts. At Spirit you get to see it all. I see seats with years old stains and an accumulation of bread crumbs and all kinds of food related dirt all over the place. You are really OK with that?

otter1

I agree with you, Stinky,

A 4 year Captain at Spirit makes 131/hr while at Alaska it's 174/hr. That's almost a 33% increase.

A 4 year F/O at Spirit makes 84/hr, at Alaska, 108/hr. That's a 29% increase.

In addition, Alaska has an industry standard 12 year pay scale, so you don't have to wait the extra 3 years to get top pay.

JoeyMeatballs

I don't know, the last SWA plane I junpseated on and AA plane where I was riding In the back, they were dirty. I guess it was coincidental. I don't do much traveling to be honest.

I want DAL Airbus rates, id take UAL rates, I certainly wouldn't leave here if we got Alaska rates.

Alaska rates with 12-16% DC plan and a much higher min day, sure I'd probably vote yes.

If your initial goal is JB rates, you are going to be hugely disapointed in what the TA will look like.

Talking to some guys, I'm almost shocked at how little they value themselves.........

Seems like it's a cultural thing,almost like the "cheap product" makes some people feel inadequate or makes them feel they don't deserve to be paid as much as the "classy Legacy". The same Legacy that goes in and out of bankruptcy every few years.

falcon2000aj

Agreed.. Plus 6 hour min day, 15% DC retirement fund, scope and merger protection... Red eye and intl override anytime you pass through customs.. Gets a yes vote from me.

The Juice

Talking to one of our senior guys the other day, he was amazed that we had a 401k match at 9%. A really nice guy but he had no idea that a 9% match is drastically behind many other airlines, not to mention the lack of profit sharing and a direct contribution.

I have seen other airline's negotiating committees create and disseminate information packets to their pilots during the run up to negotiations. These packets will help, lets call it "educate," those pilots that have blinders on and have no idea what is going on in the rest of the industry. Show where we stand vs other airlines, items like retirement, scope, LTD etc will be shown to be far below where our peers our and where we need to be.

But then again, I have no idea what the NC is even doing these days. 1 survey months ago, and no communication since their crew room visits ended a while ago. I really would like to see more from the NC is the way of emails and presentation pieces as we get this process going.

Normann

I agree. Especially the last statement. One guy, who said he indicated a 5% initial raise, reasoned that he wants a "fair" contract. Some people are truly disconnected.

I you want more, and I agree we should have more, than call no less than our MEC Chair and tell him how you feel.

I don't see any propaganda whatsoever. Right now we should be focusing on uniting the group, make everyone well aware that in 8 months we are without a contract. Although not having a contract seems to be the norm, it is still not acceptable! And finally, if needed, fire up the "hate machine" and start setting expectations. I really do not see why any Spirit pilot should be in a great mood after August 1st.

gonyon

Well we'll still be under our current contract which becomes "amendable".

I wish contracts had automatic pay raises after the amendable date due after 6 months of negotiating to give the company some reason to take negotiations seriously.

As for the comms with spa spirit I think they are lacking. We should definitely have info going out on what industry average is.

Normann

Yes. But you know what I meant.