I have my own reasons for bidding the 777--for the second time. That does not obviate the need to improve the reserve system. Yes, I bid reserve, yes I understand the consequences. Yes, I understand the abuse by the company. It doesn't have to be this way.

Reserve could be greatly improved with minimal changes, and minimal cost to the company. All it takes is the membership providing direction to the negotiating committee to make it a priority. This is an excellent opportunity to do exactly this, especially since that was one of the stated areas of conversation.

Reserve was never meant to be abused this badly under the current contract. As usual, the company takes advantage wherever they can. It is up to us to improve the system when we have the chance. This is that chance.

As for those who argue they will never sit reserve, or bid something so you don't have to, it's only for the new hire and for a short time, history has demonstrated otherwise. At some point in your career, most everyone here will be on reserve, and not by choice.

 

commuting as a line holder sucks… commuting as a RSV sucks more. I chose 777 reserve because you make the same with the min guarantee as you would flying 90 hours on the 767… During the winter months you hardly fly… which equates to more time at home if your living in domicile...

 

This is why I chose the 777 RSV. Who wants to work 90 hrs every month? Not me. If we could limit SC, make it mandatory to build all SC assignments for the next day before noon and add pay for rolling an RDO I would be happy as a clam.

 

Absolutely understood on all points. And I too was disappointed that there weren't reserve fixes in this deal, even though I don't bid up a plane for exactly that reason.... I don't want to commute to reserve. The level of SC abuse in particular is obnoxious, though they DO have to pay for it, so it's not free for them to keep giving them out.

I also spent a large part of me career on forced reserve. Couldn't even downbid if I wanted to because (as I'm sure you remember) there were no bids to be had. Therefore I understand how important it is to have reserve improvements, and join you in your frustration. As to why that wasn't accomplished I'm guessing a) they ran out of time - rumor I heard - in the 45 negotiations. I know they were working around the clock at the end. Or b) the company was costing the improvements at a level that was deemed more expensive than the benefits. The company also wanted reserve changes, and I'm quite sure we wouldn't have enjoyed them.... So it was a "there is no flag on the play" situation I'm betting. Neither side got what they wanted.

Here is where we diverge. Many people are voting "no" simply because they are ticked about no reserve improvements. When you say this deal is costing you time with the kids, you are wrong. There are 2 options here: vote yes and take the deal (no change to reserve). Or vote no and wait for section 6, which typically takes years (no change to reserve). Most likely you'll personally be OFF reserve in the 4-5 years it will take for a full section 6 negotiation. Many here seem to hold a full section 6 as this holy grail where we will get the same size pay raise AND fix everything else we have in the contract we don't like. I've never ever seen that happen.... neither have you. The subpar TA's at DAL and SWA, and lack of a TA at UPS should make it obvious that it isn't going to be some negotiating nirvana. So reserve improvements simply aren't on the table right now. You won't be seeing them for years, no matter how you vote. But you're asking 12,000 pilots to vote no to a large and industry leading pay raise just because you didn't get them?

Lastly, I do respect you Dave, and always have read your posts with interest because you always have thoughtful things to say. That doesn't change even though we disagree on this one issue. I certainly have experience with being forced into reserve, and I know that's a possibility at any point with a downturn in the economy, terror attack, etc. But if that happens, and the company comes looking for consessions, reserve improvements will be the last thing you'll ever see. I would rather be 15% richer during THOSE negotiations.

 

All good points. I guess I just an optimist at heart. I want it all!

 

Hey fair enough Dave! I don't begrudge your vote. Tailwinds my friend

 

Tailwinds to all of us. For the first time in 14 years, I feel we do have a tailwind.

Unless, of course, we create our own Head wind. Again.

 

Dave, you and the rest of the reserve guys are completely right. I even bid reserves a couple of times over the past 3 or so years and it was not a happy time, BUUUUT, saying NO to this TA will not do anything for you NOW. MEC is not going back to the table with the company. This TA discussion is complete and it's going to a vote. Somehow you guys need to absorb this concept! The talks are done like the ISL! Either vote YES, and get 16% pay raise on JAN 1st, while on reserve or wait 4-6 years from now to get your reserve issues fully fixed with NO retro pay. And you get the extra raises in the following years with guarantees to match DAL rates. You made a choice to sit reserve. Now you have to make a choice to just vote yes or no. Yes gives you something and NO gives you nothing for a long time.

 

Where do you get this stuff?

The company DESPERATELY needs this FRMS in order to start a bunch of new ultra-long haul in 2016. Without it they are in a serious bind under the current contract. Why do state with such certainty the impossibility of sending the Neg Comm back if the MEC rejects it?

The 45-day negotiations window was arbitrary. Deadlines and other "urgency" measures are just age-old negotiating tactics. I believe the company wanted a quick negotiation because they think Heppner is weak and that they'd need to pay more for the relief they want under a new MC and, most likely, a new Neg Comm.

Really, where do you come up with ANY hard and fast restrictions that prevent the MEC from sending the negotiators back to the table? There's no real reason they couldn't spend another month to get things fixed.

 

Seamus,

Written almost like it came from Willis Tower.