Bucking Bar

Consider if you will, American just nuked their Section 1 with their feeder, Eagle. Now American will enjoy competitive bidding on the operation of American's small jet fleet (airplanes will be held by AA ) That is step one in following the model established at United, Delta, Northwest and US Air.

The cost savings will result in the APA being under pressure & in a situation where it can capitalize on outsourcing.

Lets see if the APA's "more reasonable" approach includes a scope sale. I've got a dollar that says it does.

Regardless, AMR looks to me like they are positioning for bankruptcy. Since the pilots' working agreement will be opened anyway, I'd think it better to hold the high ground until things clear up and AMR's future path is better known.

Carl Spackler

Couldn't agree more.

Carl

exeagle

Correct. Really nice guy, but had his expectations pretty low when I talked with him.

forgot to bid

I would not be surprised.

It'd be amazing though if that or if the TA was a 10% increase initially and COLA because talk about raising the bar!!! I guess some people believe we should aim for SWA / 2!!!!

alfaromeo

Wrong Carl. A seniority list is always negotiable, but it is difficult to do. US Airways management has accepted the Nicolau award and their status is EXACTLY what our status is. You state that their seniority list is in some different status because it hasn't been used in combined operations. Wrong. The list is done, it is final, just because it hasn't been used in combined operations is completely immaterial. By the way, the courts agree with me. If USAPA is free to alter their list because it hasn't been used, then why are they negotiating with management to change the seniority list? Why would management have a say? It's because seniority lives in the contract and just like compensation or crew meals, you have to negotiate with management to change it. Our list has been accepted and is also subject to negotiation. It is very difficult to do because of the zero sum game nature of these negotiations. Do you get it now?

You are wrong, 5 federal judges in 3 different courts say you are wrong. No matter how many times you repeat this foolishness, it doesn't make it right. Seniority is Section 20 in our contract, it can be renegotiated at any time. Why don't you do some research before you make statements that have no basis in fact? Go read the Addington transcripts, read the Ninth Circuit appeal filings, and read the filings in the Declaratory Judgement that US Air management filed. You might learn something and be able to speak about this issue with some basis in fact. Now, you just make things up and bluster about trying to hide your ignorance of the facts.

Whidbey

The APA and American pilots fought through a delay tactic that is part and parcel of the uneven playing field provided by the RLA.

Did AMR's strategy work? Heck yes AMR's strategy worked. They enjoyed another 4-5 years of their pilots working for dirt cheap wages with the knowledge that the possibility of the NMB clearing them for self help was years down the road, if that.

The AA pilots probably could have taken what they considered to be inadequate pay and contract improvements and had a contract much sooner. Your position seems to define that as success, or at least progress. If that's the case, I respectfully disagree.

shiznit

Ummm. If the pilots of LEC 1 are not happy with the rep I have one word for you:
RECALL!!!!!!!

(You don't have to buy donuts to replace a rep you think is going a poor job.)

Besides, he is only one vote, both at the MEC and as a pilot. I know my reps(BOTH) have very high standards and would cancel him out and then some.

shiznit

Success IMHO, is convincing 2 people that your proposal is equitable.

The only thing that matters is getting 2 of the 3 NMB members to see your viewpoint as the correct one. Once you have that, you can apply all kinds of leverage that you want. BUT, until you have an offer that fits within the opinion of 2 NMB members, you are going to accomplish a whole lot of nothing.

tomgoodman

They have probably been kicking themselves for not doing a BK and pension-dump back when everyone else did. Crandall wouldn't have hesitated for a minute.

JABDIP

I am tired of this BS about a fractured pilot group. Really, come on guys get a grip. First of all, I have sent in my DPA card and want ALPA off the property as I have been unhappy with ALPA for years way before the merger. However, until it is replaced, I am a unified pilot supporting our pilot group in our efforts to better our contract. What ever group that represents us, I will support as I believe 95% of our pilot group will. I feel that DPA will serve our pilot group much better than ALPA. I feel that our dues money will go for what best serves Delta pilots. Right now I feel that my dues money goes to serve an organization that supports DCI companies that are taking mainline flying. How does ALPA represent us and them at the same time. I have also witness first hand how reps get involved to support their pilots only to become a servant to the all mighty ALPA, sad but true. So, for all those that keep screaming about a split pilot group, I say you are the ones trying to perpetuate that line of thinking. I will not consider myself as a split pilot, I only want what I believe is best for the pilot group as a whole. My last 25 years under ALPA has been very disappointing in many ways. The time has come for a new direction!