FDXLAG

Because the time frame remaining for the outstanding section to be negotiated will take longer if we take something NOW.

FDX1

It may take longer. It may not. Lets assume for sake of argument it will. How much longer will it take? It still doesn't make sense to forego current TA improvements that cover the life of the contract because our final product takes a few months longer to negotiate. In fact I would argue that we should do it now because the improvements for our current pilots in the FDA are significant enough and we shouldn't delay them from those improvements for another 2 years while we negotiate.

FDXLAG

And I think it will take years longer because once we sign this the company will have no reason to negotiate.

FDX1

What issue do you think will cause such a delay to our negotiation?

FDXLAG

The company will have no incentive to negotiate. This is simple, you either think the company wants an FDA LOA or they are ambivalent. I think they want one.

We were told for months that the FDAs were not leverage. All of a sudden there is a new LOA. The Union says no LOA without a TA. The company caves. You obviously think we got enough to earn a yes vote. I dont. I can live with that.

Busboy

I think it would be more accurate to say:

if "we give something" now.

FDX1

I agree they want one, but that will not set the pace for negotiations. In fact, I believe that the completed agreement will come surprisingly fast. The NPRM will have such significant impact on our current operation that the company will want to re-establish numerous pay issues to maintain our same level of utilization for hours flown. This will be our best negotiating capital we have ever had. The FDA issue is paltry when compared to overall cost of the Contract.

FDXLAG

Lets wait 4 months to find out. Maybe the NPRM will be less restrictive than our current contract. If that is the case we lose.

You are correct.

Falconjet

Dlax:

There will be a minority opinion coming out soon. There was no hard sell on the TA. They are leaving it in the hands of the membership to decide. I think the minority report will be very enlightening and I won't make up my mind until I have read that as well.

I think the NC is trying to take a novel approach to lock down some improvements to the current FDA LOA, capture the FOQA and ASAP programs, and avoid a flat line on our pay while the company delays negotiations until the NPRM comes out. They feel that company has committed to continued, meaningful contract talks on other issues in the interim if we accept this CBA TA. They look at the gains in the FDA LOA as an enhancement to the crew force that, combined with the small pay increase and the safety programs, offset the loss of leverage on our part. They also feel that there are other reasons (as stated above) for the company to come back in good faith after the NPRM is released.

They also seemingly believe that if we vote this down, the company will essentially (with the NMB's tacit approval) withdraw from negotiations on further issues until at the very least Aug when the NPRM is due. There are an additional two years built in to the NPRM for actual implementation to allow for contract negotiations to determine the impacts on individual CBAs. So we won't see any relief from the NMB for several years either way.

If the TA passes or it doesn't, it is going to take (in my opinion) several years to negotiate a new agreement over the impact of the rules. The NC and at least 10 out of the 12 of the MEC feel that this approach has enough merit to be considered by the membership. JG was the last of the NC to get on board, and I don't think SS would be in favor of this without the 1 year escape clause. Its not a slam dunk, but its not a complete dud or loss of all leverage as some (myself included) would believe (again, just my opinion).

This is why it is so important to attend a roadshow if at all possible, because I can't do their explanations justice. At a very minimum watch the videos and send your rep your questions. We've got plenty of time to gather info and make our decision.

Pragmatic1

I guess I don't see the TA as a gain for anyone outside the 300-400 pilots binding FDA. For some it will actually be a loss. Opening the FDA will end SIBA for the Airbus and reduce MD 11 international pairings. The raise doesn't even make up for the hourly international override that would be loss on these pairings. Small potatoes, but a loss still the same.

I keep hearing the FDA is not leverage. If that's the case then the company is offering the improvements out of the kindness of their hearts? Probably not. Remember, the last NC told us our current FDA LOA was the best we were going to get. We approved it. Now our lack of leverage has us here....hmmm