Serious question. Who is angry? I honestly haven't seen any anger or 'child-like emotional fits' here.

 

You have absolutely seen and partaken in the propagation of made-up information regarding this AiP. That’s appropriate for middle-school drama queens, but not for a professional. This is building up panic against reps that work on your behalf for free. How embarrassing that we all woke up to an email this morning to mitigate idiotic rumors that largely stem from forums like this one. Time to grow up. The real discussion begins when the real text is available. I simply can’t wait for the new conspiracy theories.

 

It was the start of the selling process this morning. IMO

 

Some think the real discussion should have included a reason for entering contractual discussions in the first place.

I'll say it again, they have billions in cash.
They have billions more at their disposal.
We have already taken massive pay cuts as compared to last year and through bumps.
We have agreed to voluntary pay cuts through modified SRLs even though we already had more attractive SRL's in the current UPA. Why did we agree to dilute them?
And lastly, we seem to vote yes for everything. So a calculated AIP ends up being the final TA.

When the Master Chairman took over I was elated. I figured his pitbull run at GCOM would serve us well with him in the big chair. Now, I'm less sanguine. I certainly hope that he is able to pull a rabbit out of his hat.

Had the union not been so supple the last few times things went south, you might find a smaller percentage of pilots so quick to second guess. And, let's not forget that the last time this group voted for a new contract, nearly ALL of the leaked and rumored turds were in the final language. There's nore to say, but I'm just going to shut up. Because as we all know, anyone who doesn't take an active roll in ALPA is just supposed to keep his mouth shut.

I don't have the answers, I'm just a line slob. But our track record is hard to ignore.

 

I think there are some good arguments to be made for entering or not entering negotiations but can we really make the argument that the company is flush with cash? That’s like saying that the guy getting furloughed in October is flush with cash because he took $100,000 from his 401k and a another $100,000 from a second mortgage so his family can survive.

 

Overall you seem more emotional about this than most here.

A few points. You don't know if the information is made up or if it's accurate - we will all know on Wednesday evening.

A professional will take all available information and use it appropriately. The rumors are classified as assumptions and are treated as such when we consider various scenarios. As assumptions become facts we will adjust our analysis to reflect the facts. In the meantime we will be much more prepared to evaluate the TA since we've already thought through multiple scenarios. For example, if there is a small chance of 1/4 vis, do you wait until you get ATIS prior to planning your autoland approach? Does the military wait and see exactly how many enemy forces are deployed forward before beginning planning? As long as you categorize the info correctly it's prudent to use it. It's professional.

The ALPA email is simply another piece of info. The only thing it really told me was that the MEC leadership is solidly in favor of this TA....and that personal grievances are in play at the highest level or our union.

So yes, the 'real' discussion will begin after the actual TA is released. The real question is whether or not we'll be prepared to digest and analyze it as professionals.

 

Yes. As someone on the other forum mentioned, note the name change: The Pandemic Recovery TA. What happened to furlough mitigation? I'm sure it's still in there, but wasn't that the whole purpose of all of this in the beginning?

 

It is important to remember that the company is solely looking to save money. Furlough mitigation, if not specifically required in government assistance, is window dressing that makes a nice image but is not their main goal. Furlough mitigation is a goal of pilots not companies.

 

Really? That’s the real question? You are wondering whether we can all make a professional analysis of a contract change?

you are really something.

 

Of course you're correct, the company is on the ropes. But is it that bad right now? CARES 1 and maybe 2 soon? Yet we're rushing to help. They still have a LOT of money. Our burn is down significantly. Some Airlines are selling planes and then leasing them back at loan shark rates. Is UA one of them? Are they are willing to pay someone else and also take more from us? I know what I think. That's all I'm saying. And we already gave them a lot. I used to get 85 hours per month. Now? My buddy used to be a 777 FO, now? GUYS WILL STILL GET WHACKED if SK wants to. I'm sick of bailing them out, so I remain skeptronic.

Hack the clock. Light a smoke.