PeezDog

Our MEC sent us an email with a video attached. They just said they were denied access by the vendor. No other specifics. I sent an email querying our MEC today, still waiting for a response.

Bartender

Bartender

As we start a new year, we are still dealing with old problems. Contract negotiations have been nearly at a standstill since the TA failed. The main problem which prevents progress is the PBS dispute. Management is currently negotiating with the XJT MEC for the globalized PBS Smart Pref.
We have not been given the opportunity to present our system to the LXJT pilot group for their evaluation. We would gladly welcome giving you the opportunity to examine SmartPref, but the vendor has denied our MEC access. One has to wonder why? There is a real possibility of being forced to SmartPref since we have a minority of votes in the combined pilot group. LXJT pilots may never even be given the truth about the major differences in the bidding systems. The information and comparisons that have been disseminated about FlightLine are incorrect in many aspects.
It remains a mystery why there is a desire to move to an unproven system in SmartPref. A system that every pilot group that has researched it, has declined to use it. We realize that FlightLine is not always perfect, but from your feedback, we understand the overwhelming desire to keep it.
Many pilots still inquire about the differences in the two systems. A few months ago, we released a video that explained one aspect of how vastly different the award logic is between the two systems. We have taken it a step further and made more informational videos that detail how a global PBS will destroy pilot quality of life and morale. Our series of videos explains how globalization can control your pay, reduce time off, restrict your ability to extend vacation, why the Company wants a Global PBS, and peer over sight of the bidding process. If you were affected by the rare occurrence of unstacking in December, imagine being subject to an unstack every single month in a global PBS!
In November, the validity of the PBS Process Agreement contained in the TA went to Arbitration. In the coming weeks, we will receive and share the results of that arbitration. Until then, we will be releasing the P2P videos. When you have a free moment, please view the videos and do your own evaluation of the two systems. Once you have the opportunity to compare the major differences, we assume you will understand the fight to avoid a global system and retain our Flightline PBS.

Hou757

Why did the ASA MEC not voice this concern before the last vote concerning PBS? Seems strange!

Bartender

Different MEC. We changed it after the TA was shot down. The different tracks in the TA is one of the reasons I voted no. We either move forward as one or we don't move forward.

Check Complete

We have a sort of globalized system at SkyWest which allows for junior people to many times get trip a senior person bid for.

Globalization supersedes seniority and your "vacation touch" will be long gone.

Hou757

I'm all for a side by side comparison but my understanding is that the hold up on that is that we must first agree to the rules that will govern scheduling to see an honest comparison. Until then a side by side would be worthless?

Nevets

This makes no sense whatsoever. First, ANYONE has access to smartpref through crewing solutions website. Second, if you don't have access, how then do you know how bad it is? Third, all of these videos make very general statements about globalization and nothing specific about how supposedly smartpref is so bad, other than globalization. Fourth, even the generalizations are half truths. Fifth, not everyone is globalized anyway, just as not everyone gets unstacked with flight line (that's one example of a half truth). Sixth, the only reason why the negotiations are stagnant is because the ASA MEC decides to arbitrate the previously agreed to PBS process agreement. Seventh, apparently no one is stopping your MEC from producing these videos, and FB comparisons, and Erj base visits to explain these things. Next, of course the vendor doesn't give you access after how rude you were with them during your visit? Do I need to post their letter to your MEC again that explains how your guys insulted them? You even insulted their choice for place of business, for petty's sake! Next, the erj MEC has produced a PBS white paper explaining the differences along with MEC blastmails, and numerous all pilot conference calls. The erj MEC has explained to its pilots, their constituents, why they prefer smartpref over any other system (let's face it, you would be against ANY system other than flight line). Next, everything you say about globalization (pay, time off, etc), can also be said about the award logic and manipulation of the results in flight line. Next, as far as extending vacation, like most other things in any PBS, that depends more on work rules (virtual credit).

Lastly, and most importantly, if smartpref sucks so much and flight line is that much better, why would anyone, regardless of what they fly, choose the inferior product? Hell, we may shoot it down once we get to actually play with it during parallel bidding! So what's the problem?


How many members were changed other than the chairman? I think only two members were recalled. And I thought you guys wanted a divorce anyway? If the alternative is 2/3 of the combined pilot group taking concessions, why would 1/3 of the other pilots object to the majority at least keeping what they currently have? Are we really that childish that we cannot agree to no one taking a concession, even if it means grandfathering? Really?

flynd94

What? Not this crap again. They were given access. Stop with the attempts to divide our groups even more.

Captain Tony

The ASA MEC Scheduling committee has in fact been denied access to SmartPref, and it occurred within the last few months, not years ago. Lots of people opining here in this discussion who are nothing but bystanders repeating hearsay.