avi8tor4life

So how about SkyWest in this mix? Is the xjet contract language on mergers going to include SkyWest?

iPilot

Honestly the SKW pilots need to think very hard about organizing. If the contract language holds up they'll be thrown into this whether they like it or not. I'd want to have a legal union in place to negotiate the seniority integration and CBA. I'm not sure how this would work if they were non-union. I seriously doubt the ASA/XJT side would try to pull a fast one but it'd be comforting to know that at least someone will be at the table to make sure on my behalf.

Again, I'm very happy that it seems most pilots I've talked to and seen on the boards are in this for everyone's mutual benefit, but if a total integration is on the horizon it might be time for SKW'ers to get some union representation.

goaround2000

That is the plan. Per our MEC communicate, they are talking to National and using all available resources (including legal) to make sure our scope is honored. IMHO, the only way this issue will go away is if certain job protections can be granted in writing thus doing away with whipsaw (unlikely). I have a feeling this will become a slow legal battle until one of two things happens, Jerry caves in (very unlikely) or Skywest becomes ALPA, more than likely.

newarkblows

There is no way for one group to steamroll the other. I would expect a relatively painless merger.

PinnacleFO

I am an outsider looking in on all of this but it seems to me like their long term plan might involve ASA being the regional carrier and Skywest taking a chance with their own brand going forward non union.

BassFishr

Good point... I've thought that for a while.

JetJock16

I'll bet a months pay that SKW goes ALPA in 2011!

goaround2000

I'll second that.

todd1200

Wow, there seems to be a lot of entitlement and self-importance present (and luckily a decent amount of level-headedness and rationality). Pilots don't buy airplanes (or airlines); all we do is fly the planes where management tells us to fly them. The collective talent/character/any random attribute of a pilot group has relatively little to do with the ultimate success of an airline. Like it or not, the fate of whatever company you fly for rests in the hands of management. So far, we at Skywest Inc. have been fortunate (if you could call it that) enough to work for a company whose management team knows how to make money. The sooner we realize that as pilots, we are all in this together, and that we need to put our individual egos aside and work toward the betterment of our entire pilot group, the better off we'll all be.

Nevets

This is not true. The two merger committees negotiate the SLI. If they can agree, whatever they come up with is final. Not even the MECs get to vote.

Im surprised no one has mentioned this. I mentioned it on the pipe but no one has picked up on it.

Yeah, but ours says 9 months.

I dont think this is true either. I believe the merger policy is that all pilots vote and only 50%+1 of the combined group is required for ratification.

It would be to everyone's mutual benefit to have one list for all three groups. In SKW pilots' case, your management would bargain on your behalf.

I wished all of SKW pilots felt that we are all in this together and stop riding coattails. Anyways, SKW management seems to loath or fear unions. What other reason would they have to create a sub holding company within a holding company to circumnavigate the clear letter and intent of XJT pilots' contract. Not nice thing for a new boss to do to its new employees. I heard BR on the earnings call say they want to treat us with dignity and respect, that is total BS! Yeah, only when it suits them but they don't want to respect our hard fought legally binding contract.