TonyWilliams

I hope that SkW guys will put perspective in their interactions with other crews. SWA and SKW certainly have almost religion level zeal from many of their employees, the chief difference being the former pays a heck of a lot better.



If I'm not mistaken, you were in our previous profession when it was non-union. 1987 comes to mind.



I sincerely hope they don't end up with ALPA. With ASA and a common list, they'd have plenty of pilots (and ASA ALPA union experience) to make a truly first class SkWAPA. Then, for all the ALPA lovers out there, if that combined group feels that they can get more bang for their buck with IBT or ALPA, or whatever, they could join them.

Nevets

Or with ASA and a combined list, they'd have plenty of pilots (and ASA ALPA union experience) to make a truly first class SWALPA. Then, for all the independent union lovers out there, if that combined group feels that they can get more bang for their buck with SkWAPA or whatever, they could join them. See how that works? Either way you have the same people who are responsible for what makes the union but with ALPA you get all their resources as well.

TheDashRocks

[quote=rickair7777;733386]I do not feel there are many options for MAG pilots. No one is hiring, even in other professions.

I give you respect for leaving a situation you hated (Mesa) and making a new situation for yourself. I feel that you cross a line when you disparage your contemporaries that chose to stay or pilots like myself who have come to Mesa after you left. I would find much less to argue with if all you said was, "I hated my time at Mesa, I felt ill-used, I went to SKW, and I enjoy my work life much more."

Piecing together things I believe you said in the past, your theory seems to be that only some kind of useless drone would stick around Mesa. Anyone with anything on the ball would have left and gone to SKW with you.

Someone with another perspective might say that you were a whiney baby the whole time you were at Mesa, couldn't hack it, and went for the sugar tits at SKW. Relax; I do not feel that way about you, I am just positing an extreme example of an alternate explanation of your choice.

They tossed me the keys to a Dash 8 after 4 months with them. Quite respectful, I would say. I never felt treated like an illegal alien. Most of the favors I asked for were granted.

SKW management feels no need or motivation to match union pay rates and work rules won at other carriers? If ASA wins a 12% pay hike, SKW won't match that at the un-Union carrier across the hall?

What would happen if SKW approached the pilot's ASB and said, "Guys we're buying E170's! We're gonna pay you 1/3 less than the union regionals that fly 'em. We need to stay competitive. We're still one big happy family, right...? Guys...? Anyone...?"

The sound of pilots spitting out koolaid would drown out a Kiss concert.

Your company matches pay, benefits, and work rules fought for by Union pilots and the dues they provide.

The Dash Whisperer

TheDashRocks

[quote=TonyWilliams;733547]

True. I supported NATCA's efforts to form a Union, voted in favor of its certification, and was a charter member. Not sure what point you were trying to make here.

Any union is better than none, the bigger the union the better.

friendlyskies

If skyw is planning on offering the positions to UAL furloughees, then ASA furloughees (120ish people), then the skyw pool (120+ people), I don't see them offering off-the-street interviews anytime soon... right?

Newty

Hang on now, I've been here at Skywaste for 2 years, can someone PLEASE point me in the direction of these "Sugar Tits"

PSACFI

Yeah that's the deal but it seems like debating union vs. non-union is what this thread has turned into. I'm just wondering if anyone who applied got an interview yet.

JumpSeater

Very true.

rickair7777

There are good reasons for sticking with mesa...if you love to fly more than anything and have some personal situation which precludes leaving. But most people who work there don't have to stay in the long term.

Nobody who knows me would think that for a moment. My pre-aviation includes of military service in specialties which are often used as the very definition of "hacking it".

What I was unable to do was put up with not being accorded basic dignity and respect by my employer. And I certainly learned from the military that unnecessary hacking just for the sake of hacking is pointless. SKW had faster upgrade than mesa at the time, so what would be the point of staying? Unless you were afraid of flunking new-hire training...

Had more to do with self-respect than non-hacking

Now I do recall hearing that the dash community was often it's own little world, and not always subject to the same crap the jet guys had to deal with. I suspect you could have had a different experience at some level.


Like I keep saying, I am pro union (reluctantly). But I said that SKW does not owe anything to MAG ALPA. I agree that SKW has benefited from the historical presence of unions in the industry.

rickair7777

Reserve at SKW is certainly no walk in the park, but the SAP leadership is trying to rewrite the reserve rules to improve that.