Harrier Dude

Thanks for the reply. So far everybody is telling me the opposite. I needed to hear the other side. I'm thinking it might be worth it to hold a line. I've been backsliding at IAH since I got here.

The way I figure it, worst case, I'm stuck for two years. I can always go back or change again later.

The commute might be easier, aside from losing the option to drive. More flights per day and slightly less nonrev demand.

Thanks again for the advice.

El10

Again lets start from the top and see if you can follow along. First lets address your claims of supporting management. What my entire point was at the day of my retirement I want to seen my peers gained the most possible money, have had the most time off and the best quality of life possible while securing the future for the next generation to have it better than we did. I work to live. I want peoples work to be the best so they can have a better life. Then and only then will we have succeeded as a union. Its not about me and you. Its about us combined. How do we get the most for US?

So the question is how do we get there? One approach is take ever dollar today and not worry about tomorrow. Sounds like the rational scabs used to cross the line. Forget consequences, take till it hurts. Another approach is take the best possible at the time, but take more often.

Moving on to the point about using decision 83 to set rates. Yet some of the same pilots turn around and state they do not care about productivity. So if we do not care about productivity of our aircraft why not ask for more?

Then we got the pilots that want all the companies money and every other employee to be volunteers. Real union brother there, again I got mine the rest of you go get your own.

Then we have the debate about shifting the pay rates up on the 777 and 744 at the expense of the other fleets. Good deal for those drivers, but bad deal for the rest of the pilot group. Each negotiation is a give and take followed by an allocation. Everyone wants the allocation that suits their interests the best, not necessarily the group as a whole. Those that think a negotiation is just a unlimited pot of gold that we just need go grab, must believe in the leprechaun that guards it.

Something that is still fresh on everyones mind is the combined seniority list. Why do any of you care what seniority number you ended up with if you only care about taking the most possible at any cost? If you really do not care about the success and profitability of the company what do you care about your "the career expectations". Everyone cares about seniority because its the best guide to what our future may hold. Everyone is so optimistic based on that number as to what they will be able to hold in the future. So do not tell me you don't care about the future of this company.

To make it crystal clear I have hated what has happened to labor this past decade. We have seen that at every turn we have been out played by management. It is painfully clear that the strategy we used and continue to use has failed us. Until we wise up and come with a better approach we will end up leaving money, time, and improved quality of life on the table. We have lots of bright minds in our profession that can come up with what that new strategy is. We will make some mistakes along the way, but we can do better.

catIIIc

Dfw- Iahau be shorter but it is a terrible commute all weight restricted RJ's at Ewr has a few mainline flights. Most dfw-Iah commuters drive.

130drvr

I'm holding a line in EWR, on the 73, and would definitely tell you to stay Reserve in IAH, even if you have to displace to a Bus. That's what I would certainly do in your shoes.

Sit LC from home and drive the commute when necessary. Oh yeah. Just wait until the first snowstorm in the northeast and you can't just hop in your car and drive it. I would stay IAH based if I were you.

Harrier Dude

I've been doing that commute for the last year, and it's bad, but not that bad. Most of the weight restricted RJs are gone, but it's still a crap shoot.

Harrier Dude

Why? I haven't had a line all year, and this way in solidly a line holder on the 76T. LC shouldn't be a factor.

I get the snow storm thing, but that's a variable that I think I can work with. What else am I missing?

Thanks for the advice, btw. I think we were in the same new hire class.

JetBlast77

I'd be really surprised if someone with experience would tell you otherwise, but from a guy who does it weekly....I would never commute to EWR if I had a driving option....especially if the commute was mostly RJs. The RJs cancel very regularly. I believe DFW-EWR is all RJs except one flight? From a EWR commuter, I would highly recommend staying in IAH. JMHO. Good luck!

130drvr

To each their own, having a driving option and not relying on a mostly RJ commute to EWR is the way I would go, even if it meant reserve for a while. You were a class behind me I believe. \m/ hook'em

130drvr

3-4 hour drive? I would never even go near the airport for a commute. JMHO

JoePatroni

You can also go to LGA and JFK, getting from either one to EWR can be done via train which removes the traffic issue.