I don’t think it matters how close we are. We are all making pretty good money and I can’t imagine any of us being dumb enough to sign off on a contract that is not fI’ll retro. So I hope you are all as patient as I am in waiting for a good contract and saying no to a bad one. As far as the DAL snap up it is gone because the date in 2018 has already passed.

Sure like the "mushroom" treatment we're getting as far as UAL ALPA goes. Not really thrilled with the silence and absolute lack of information from both our NC and our MEC.

MEC update from NC had nice color chart with where we are and where we stand on section 5 and 20 which were big hurtles? Maybe less time on web boards and more time communicating with your reps. The data has been put out and seems both sides are moving forward at a good pace. If we hit a wall it will be communicated as such.


Chairman

See this I don’t understand. With the performance of the company and the economy, we are CLEARLY due a beneficial contract in EVERY section. So why are we content to just sit on our hands and let the company drag it out with ZERO pressure what so ever?? If we were looking at concessions, sure! Take as long as you want!

But each day we don’t have a new contract saves the company money and costs us money. Retro schmetro. One; it’s never FULL retro, and two, many of the benefits I expect aren’t pay related. So each day we go without a contract is a loss for us. Yet there appears to be NO pressure to get this done in the media, picketing etc. They can just drag their feet with no consequences that I see. The company expressed that a contract would be on time: they failed to deliver. I would LOVE to see less patience and more action for my union dues.

Rant over

Remember this is a negotiation. Both parties have to tentatively agree to all sections prior to the MEC deciding whether or not to send it to the Pilots for ratification. We got a 4% pay raise this last January, so we are not losing money yet. Delta did get full retro and helped to bring that term back into the lexicon for negotiations. We (including the MEC & NC) should not be in a hurry to just sign a deal!!! We want a good deal without obvious pitfalls. We could probably have a deal tomorrow if we were willing to sell our scope. I’m not willing to do that for any price!!! Section one is priceless!!!

All good points BUT why wait until 2021/22. Oscar wanted a deal done before Jan 19 guess what no deal. So what's the plan? Sing around the camp fire and hold hands? I'm pretty amazed at the weak sheep I fly with. In fact some pilots would take a pay cut it seems! Def not liking the attitude on the line.

Sorry Chairman, I've been told otherwise. Company's dug their heels in with Scope and the big ticket items are not being discussed.

Transparencies a wonderful thing and perhaps those in charge can start using it.

Transparency = lack of information.

1. MEC put out a comprehensive chart showing progress or lack thereof in every single section.

2. Insler wrote a blurb recently about the company’s slow pace/intent to move forward

So, it’s not a lack of transparency based on a scarcity of information.

Perhaps it’s that the MEC graphical updates aren’t in a narrative form, like your source. Or that their info doesn’t match what you believe is happening, therefore it doesn’t seem “informative” to you?

The info put out so far by the union indicates to me that the company is far apart from the pilot group on key issues. Agreements have been obtained in substance on issues that are on the lower side of the importance scale.

Given the pace of negotiations, and the lack of agreement on key issues to me would indicate it's going to be a while.

So, patience and resolve are the orders of the day.

That being said, those two qualities are not welded together. Resolve is not wavering, but patience could wane should the can be kicked too long and too far down the road.

Why aren't we going on the offensive? Insler should be on CNBC, Facebook, Twitter, etc... describing what the pilots of United have sacrificed over the years! Instead, we wait around until the next downturn, throw our hands up in the air and say "oh well, I guess we have to cave on scope"