txbusdriver

I ask myself why every time I come to work.

Herkulesdrvr

if you fly with someone that complains about the 2% dues that will be owed just ask them how much of being 100% unemployed costs? Sounds expensive doesn't it?

gloopy

Maybe, but its not a merger if its not a merger.

P-3Bubba

Paying dues isn't the problem, it's who you're paying the dues to and why. I don't see ALPA having equality throughout all the pilots it represents. ALPA is powered by Delta and what has that got to do with JBlue? How can ALPA represent DCA (regional) pilots the same as Delta pilots in an equal interest capacity? How does ALPA negotiate a contract w/Delta that doesnt address its fellow DCA ALPA bretheren carrier's (Comair) loss of jobs and aircraft to a non-union DCA carrier (GoJet)? Doesn't work. If ALL pilots were ALPA and we ALL flew under one contract we wold have a powerful and equal working group, but it's all backwards. Is a CBA a good thing? Yes. Especially in the world of consolidation and M&A. JetBlue pilots have the opportunity to get this right, and rushing in with ALPA is still not a Yes for me. JBPA assessments and our PEA $ for mergers, I don't know enough about to state a clear solution.

Herkulesdrvr

p3, good points. There is definitely a conflict of interest in your scenario and that is what management prefers. If there is even the slightest riff in the ranks then its a win win for management when they can use us against one another, no surprises there. If there were a national seniority list and you were assigned a number when you first got hired it would save much suffering for everyone in the long run. We need to avoid having guys start over with the seniority after a situation like ATA or Midwest, not acceptable in my opinion.

CaptCoolHand

When Jb violates the PEA, or your LOL, your PTO, your MILleave, or any of the other things they just don't wan to do you can exercise your open door policy. The answer you will get is... so sue us. You will have to. ALPA may not be the best answer but it's the best answer for right now. Get the ball rolling.

To add, Delta ALPA will have nothing to do with JBALPA aside from the fact that we pay dues to the same coffer. jetblue pilots will be on the jetblue MEC and LEC. jetblue pilots will be on our safety committees ect. jetblue pilots will negotiate a contract for jetblue pilots not delta pilots. Thus far, we don't have any regional "business partners" to have a contradiction of intrest with. I'd like to keep it that way. ALPA isn't perfect but it's the fastest way to get a contract now. Your representation will be by jetblue pilots utilizing ALPA's resourses.

whatifguy

well said capt!!

Moose

You bet! Let all the other dues paying union members pay for your benefits! It's the American way! Just say thanks when you jumpseat, pass through known crewmember stations, get sufficient rest between trips and everything else ALPA does to better your life and career! Sure ALPA has its warts but every organization does. Just remember to thank the guys subsidizing your career benefits because JetBlue pilots as of yet have not done a damn thing to better the profession.

GuppyPuppy

Uh...check that.....the MAJORITY haven't done a darn thing. Many of us are diligently working behind the scenes so that we can organize and not be considered the leeches of the industry.

We have no access to medical insurance when we retire, sub-par retirement, management negotiating (yeah, right) on our behalf during a SLI, below average sick/vacation time.....all this (and these are major issues) while the company tells us they want us to be compensated at industry average (at least that has been their latest mantra). When I started they told me to expect SWA -2%. Then it changed to industry average (with the company controlling which airlines are in the peer set). Then it changed to "fair and sustainable". Then it changed to a "holistic review" of our compensation. Now they just say nothing. In fact, we got an email about a month or two ago outlining our 2.21% raise this year. Reading between the lines it says to not expect another raise.

Yet young pilots will still be trying to come here because it is "better than Mesa". I'm getting really sick of hearing that from some of my F/O's.

For the good things we do have (hourly rates have finally come up to AVERAGE) we can thank the pilots from union carriers who stress and negotiate pay/benefits that we can compare ourselves to. I thank you for your time, dedication, professionalism and your hard earned money.

God help us all.

GP

GP

Moose

I stand corrected. I know several of the JB guys trying to organize only to be stymied by the Blue juicers and those that "have theirs".