Please forgive the naivete, but could somebody do me a solid and give me the meat and potatos of what an A & B scale are? Just really not gettin it...

Thanks.

 

Those that got in early get "A" scale. Those of you that show up after a certain date get "B" scale. And "B" scale will never reach "A" scale.

 

And B scale brought us C scale.
Now C scale are today's rates.

 

Huh?
Clear as mud guys, thanks!

 

I think a better definition is where a company asks for concessions. The company and union then agree, in lieu to cuts to current employees, to treat new employees differently than those currently on the property. These concessions could be pay, benefits, work rules or a combination. It's done generally because it doesn't affect the pilots who would be voting on the concessionary deal. The downside was that these deals fractured the pilot group. This makes it tougher to organize the group years down the road.

 

I don't think any legacies do that type of pay anymore, all are paid based on years, seat and equipment flown.
We do have an A, B, and c scale retirement program based on hire date. A is the defined benefit contribution type-average of high 3 year pay and longevity factor. C is a defined contribution-15% of pay into a 401k account, and B is a combination.

 

Find & read the book 'Hard Landing: The Epic Contest for Power and Profits that Plunged the Airlines Into Chaos' by Thomas Petzinger.

 

Guys, why make this so difficult?

The easy explanation is: It's different pay for same work.

So, given the same fleet, seat, longevity, etc. A "B-scale" pilot would be paid less, or have fewer benefits, or both. B-scale is (was) a solution that in the early 80's somehow found union support and ratification to satisfy management's desire to cut costs. Fortunately it's a relic with only a hint existing today in the form of 1st year pay rates.

Retirement A, B, and C plans are confused with "scales".

As mentioned:

A Plan is a defined benefit plan (traditional pension).

B Plan is a defined contribution plan (employer/employee monthly contribution).

C Plan is typically an additional defined contribution plan in place due to extraordinary circumstances. For example at UAL a C Plan was created as partial compensation for the terminated A Plan.

 

Your homework is to read the following books:

"Flying The Line, Volume 2"
"Hard Landing"

 

Thanks guys, for the excellent replies. Much clearer now. I knew that it was basically different pay for the same work, just really did get the structure. Also know that it doesn't exist any more(for the most part)....

I will make every effort to read those books. Sound like interesting reads if nothing else.