wt93205

Better work rules and pay...

wt93205

It use to be the lowest paid got all the new flying.

Today the lowest paid will be the first to go under.

This is why you have to get back inline with the other regionals pay. This TA is not it.

whyvee

Cloud9, go to a union event or webinar. Making a decision based on what one reads here isn't "open minded". Information from APC, taken straight, is a horrible way to form an opinion on anything.

whyvee

So is Mesa with the new contract if you're using AirWis's math. People need to stop quoting that ridiculous number.

Cloud 9

My opinion wasn't solely based on APC, it was based on me speaking with a few friends that fly at other regionals, am convinced after speaking with them we're still not where we need to be. Other FOs have to realize that we might be here for a while if we don't get hired at a mainline or LLC and it will be in our best interest that we are EQUALLY treated like everyone else. I am tired of other regionals looked down on us as if we are rejects. It's time we cruise at the same FL as they do, that's why I made my decision

aa010175

It's not possible if they don't give Mesa pilots a GOOD contract and that's my point! If Mesa wants the work they will have to pay scale to attract new pilots and keep the old. Supply and demand! If I was a new hire I would hand Mesa $20,000-30,000 bonus back and head over to Air Wisconsin! 😎

wt93205

Just listening to the union is not open minded. The last contract they were trying to shove it down your (my) throat. Open minded is looking at all sources including reading the contract yourself. APC feedback included. Your logic is flawed "whyvee"

Out Of Trim

You're exactly right. And, this is the part that JO still doesn't seem to understand and is refusing to come to grips with ... that the game has changed dramatically, and the old rules no longer apply. He has learned that it costs a lot these days to bring people through the door. That part he understands just fine. But, he STILL thinks he can keep labor costs low by promoting the "3 years and you're out" before people begin costing too much to keep around. What he will eventually learn, the hard way, is that it's no longer enough to just get them in the door, but now you also have to pony up to keep them around because if you don't there's just no way of bringing them in in the numbers you need. Even if you could still get them at a dime a dozen, there aren't a dozen to be found. His old business model no longer applies in this environment. He will have no choice but to also offer competitive pay a/o retention bonuses if he wants to keep it running. And, our voting his POS contract down will be he icing on the cake! I am actually getting excited about this!

12fly

Most of us 4-6 year longevity guys are voting a big NO. At least everyone I've spoken with. I hope its all around.

Brody

Some food for thought:

I don't recall the exact year, but it was in the early 2000's when Mesa's union negotiated a contract with the company. At the time, I was with another regional, so we were obviously curious to what JO agreed to. When the details of the agreement were released, I remember most of us being surprised that he would agree to a contract that - compared to the old one - was a step forward for Mesa's pilots.

Over the first year or two of the agreement, it became apparent that he had no intention of living up to his agreement. While he obviously had to pay the posted pay rates, he apparently instructed his administration staff to NOT abide by the language of the contract in many cases. Pilots complained to the union, were told the usual b.s. ("fly it and grieve it"), and the grievances began to add up quickly. Finally JO went to the union (I think it was AH, but not sure) and offered to pay half of the dollar amount of the existing grievances to the union leadership - to be disbursed back the affected pilots at the union's discretion.

Union leadership apparently told the membership about JO's proposed offer, and the pilots were (rightfully) angry about it. I was living in PHX at the time, and I distinctly remember watching the local news and seeing a good-sized group of Mesa pilots - in uniform - picketing at the annual shareholder's meeting. There was a big story in the local PHX paper about it, too.

I don't recall what the outcome was - as I mentioned, I didn't work here then. Some of you who did might remember this - and feel free to correct me, since my memory is a little fuzzy on this. One thing I DO remember well about this is that JO attempted this because he entered into the contract in bad faith. That much was obvious, given the disproportionate number of pilot grievances after the contract was signed.

It's probably best to have a plan for this happening again.

Here's to hoping this ridiculous offer gets rejected by the pilots.