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We better realize what we are up against when there's talk about getting back to C2K payrates. Management has no intention of allowing that to happen.
Did anyone else see the UAL/CAL CEO's interview in Fortune last month?

Jeff Smisek:

When we closed the merger, I did 16 CEO exchanges around the system where I met with my co-workers. I'd stand up and answer any question they wanted. They were not used to that at United, I can assure you. They were at Continental.
I'm starting on a round in Europe next week. I'll do Asia, I'll do Latin America, and then I'll start more in the U.S. again, just being visible, answering people's questions, and being honest with them. "When are you going to snap me back to the wages I had in the year 2000?" Answer: never. That was a different time, and you will never be paid like you were in 2000. We're in a different business now. Low-cost carriers used to be a small percentage of the U.S. market. Now they're a giant piece. Business has changed, and people respect you when you're honest.


Leadership: The Jeff Smisek interview with Geoff Colvin - Apr. 21, 2011

DeadHead

Then perhaps he will respect me when I tell him where he shove his contract.

I could care less what that gasbag says, but I care a whole he11 of alot more by what is said by the people chosen to represent us.

Milehighrabbi

Of course, any TA must pass MEMRAT. Based on every LEC meeting I've been to (I think I missed one in the last three years), I can say that I would be very surprised to be presented with anything I can vote for.

shiznit

I don't think my reps will vote to send a subpar deal to a vote, but maybe your LEC reps are different.

Maybe they will. A huge "NO!" on a contract vote would be a point of leverage to come back to the table with the NMB.

You have to remember, the only people we need to convince are the 3 members of the NMB that the union has acted "in good faith".

This means they will bring a TA(when we or mgt. is exhaused and gives in to the other's final offer) to the group and give us the "its a fair offer" speech, and then when/if we give it the circular file treatment they can go back to the NMB and say "We tried to give them all the information and be honest about the deal, but it is clearly not a deal that is acceptable and MGT will give no more. We need a release and we will get this done in 30 days."

Meanwhile in the back room if the union gave in then they are really, really hoping for a solid resounding unanimous NO, or if it is mgt. who relented at the end then we vote YES and end the process.

It's a delicate dance, let's hope the people WE voted for are up to the task of getting what we want....

DALPA fan or not, read the comparison coming out soon and then DO YOUR CONTRACT SURVEY!!!!!
(and make sure everyone you fly with does theirs too!)

RockyBoy

And it shouldn't be difficult to convince the NMB that a Delta pilot flying a 737 out of Atlanta should be paid the same as an AirTran pilot flying a 737 out of Atlanta. We have some leverage here if ALPA chooses to use it.

SWA pay and no more RJ's!!

gloopy

As for the portions where it could lead to a loss in staffing (need for fewer pilots in certain categories) which ones would that be? At first I thought it could be a reduction in widebody pilots by creating a lot of 2 and 3 crew runs that are currentlly 3 and 4 crew runs, but everyone said that's not a concern because other rest and circadian issues would prevent any reductions there. So what areas would see staffing reductions (even if its a net gain)?

I like your 450 estimate. Hope that pans out.

TheManager

Wow. Did not know Delta had it so good over here! Jeff uses the Delta contract plus scraps as their opener/wish list.

http://www.unitednegotiations.com/em...y_10-27-10.pdf

gloopy

Exactly. SWA is the floor. Somewhere between that floor and our fantasy opener is where we should settle (on ALL issues, not just hourly rates, including scope).

hockeypilot44

That link points to a contract allowing 250 95-seat jets at the regional level. I know it's just the company's proposal, but that is a huge slap in the face to all pilots.

1234

Funny, is he making 40% less now than the airlines CEO in 2000 (total compensation). How about his pension? Yep, times are different, unfortunately it is only different for the front line.