Nitefrater

Don't confuse MINIMUM BLG with average bidpack BLG.

For example, here's an extract from the Dec '06 MD-11 bidpack:


"BID INFORMATION for MD11-MEM

Zulu Conversion: CST + 6 = Zulu Time/CDT + 5 = Zulu Time

DaRaiders

You might be right. Unless I am missing something, there also appears to be no time limit for this. This could go on for as long as year with the company claiming they are still preventing or delaying furloughs. No buy ups. No expensive furloughs or excess bids. They simply pay everyone less. Costs the company nothing with the added bonus of causing resentment within the pilot ranks headed into contract 2010.

(Standard disclaimer: I am a pilot, not a lawyer. Feel free to correct me.)

MD10PLT

Well is it the Letter of the Law of the Intent of the Law. FE once told me they keep pretty good records on the intent of the wording during contract negotiations. Would love to hear from the NC what the actual intent of that paragraph is. I'm sure if we get some kind of announcement after peak it will address this if required.

However, the intent seems pretty clear to me. They lower the BLG to whatever number they have to, to prevent a furlough. Then when the average line reaches 48/60, they can start to furlough.

Although the problem with this is, I think you will be getting more flack from the Block 1 guys than the company if they go down this path.

AerisArmis

Maybe I should have been more clear. With FPA, you could RECALL the PRESIDENT and not go through the tedious process of recalling a majority of block reps and replacing them with guys who would toss the offender. ALPA rules are full of roadblocks to keep the guys in power, in power. Speaking of FPA, remember when the first president MA, resigned because the board would not go along with what he wanted? Imagine that?

DaRaiders

Well, wasn't the intent of our excess bidding system to avoid a bump-and-flush scenario like they have at other carriers? The company outflanked us on that one by following the letter of the contract.

RE: Block 1 guys. What are they going to do about it if the company is following the contract? (Assuming my interpretation of the contract is correct, which is a big, fat IF).

Busboy

Exactly! You just made my point. If we have crappy reps, we'll have a crappy MEC Chair. As I'm sure you know, the MEC chair is elected by our MEC reps. And in my opinion, they are as much or more of the problem within this outfit. It wouldn't matter if we recalled DW. We would still have a crappy MEC, that could just elect a clone.

The power within ALPA is suppose to reside within the membership, through the representatives that the members elect, the MEC. If the representatives are not responsive to their constituents...They are the ones that need to go. And in turn, we would not only end up with responsive representatives...But, a responsive leader, as well.

I believe that DW was once a good choice for MEC Chair. However, over the years, something has gone haywire. It seems that today, there is not so much leadership...But, more of an authoritarian attitude within the MEC Chair.

That's not the way it is supposed to work within ALPA. And, the fault begins with the apathetic membership for electing these reps. Then, we embolden these same guys, with a recall effort that was as pathetic as the one that was launched last year.

Where do you think they get the idea that it is just a few malcontents on APC that are unhappy? What would make them think anything different?

MD10PLT

You're right

The fear is not whether the company will follow the contract. I have no doubt they will. It may be a different interpretation than we would like but they will follow the contract. The fear is; will our union will follow the contract. If the company needs relief and comes to the union, I have no doubt the Block 1 guys will through the junior guys under the bus to keep the bid lines up. Look at the last contract, who had the most influence on the contract, based on the outcome.

DaRaiders

Well, if there is any attempt by the union to give the company relief from 4.A.2.b that makes it easier for the company to furlough/excess, I would hope the lower 90% of us would raise he11. I know I will. Hopefully, those elected after the FDA debacle would, too. (Albie, Tony C., etc.)

Makes you wonder if this is one of the things that had to do with FE's departure. Wonder what Block the new NC is going to come from?

AerisArmis

When DW walks through the AOC he gets treated like Sefton in Stalag 17. He (and the MEC) know exactly how unpopular he is with the crew force. Naturally, he's in step and the other 4600 of us are out of step, in his mind. If we were still FPA, DW would have had NO influence on the age 60 leglislation or the "unless he is an active crewmember" wording added to the bill. If we were still FPA, DW would have had to stand for election by the pilots and not the MEC and would have lost to the guy who stocks the coke machine had he run! How ironic is it that FH was bitterly against switching from FPA to ALPA, but that switch saved his hide? As for the MEC, I'm guessing that , with the exception of the last 3; TC, Albie and Vic, the rest stand small chance of being re-elected should they choose to run again. They have rubber stamped far too many poor DW decisions. I doubt many will even try.

iarapilot

To bad the SFS Rep isnt running for anything. The fella who is running for the HKG domicile, MP, should be a good one. I know he doesnt drink the kool aid!