4V14T0R

Not true. Neither United or AA filed for mediation. AA did their strike vote without any threat of an actual strike on the horizon, because they weren't in mediation. We did ours in the correct order, HOWEVER (and this is my only real SWAPA gripe), we should have filed for mediation much sooner. At least a year sooner (caveat, maybe there's a reason they didn't).

flyguy81

Started negotiating March 2020 and shortly paused it due to Rona. Started back up in 2021 and filed for mediation in Sept 2022. I can see why they didn’t immediately file as the Rona recovery was strong but long term effects of losing tons of $$$ were unknown. Maybe they thought market forces (AK/DL) would force SWA’s hand faster and then filed when it didn’t.

I would’ve preferred filing faster but what’s done is done. UAL and AA got deals without mediators so you never know what’ll finally trigger mgt to get something done.

Zard

I suspect we were balancing two forces while waiting to file for mediation. This union has never gotten as far down the RLA path as we are now, and there was probably hesitancy and some disbelief in the full force of the RLA (see JWs drive by union post....put your hope in a cult of personalities vs the RLA path) balanced against that little voice in the back of your head that wants to believe the other side might behave like Colleen says they ought and maybe they'll lead with some luv.

Not forgiving it and I'm of the mind that we waited a year too long allowing Comrade Carl to screw around. We kept writing emails about how he'd show up unprepared and unwilling to negotiate for far too long and it's gotten us to where we are today. Whining about labor relations pulling labor relations shenanigans wasn't particularly productive, but we wasted a year and a half doing it anyway.

flyguy81

Yeah....and we're likely better off for it due to everyone else signing and setting the bar. If they'd signed in 2021 or even last year we'd be ****ed off and complaining that we are so far behind with no incentive from mgt to toss us a raise to parity just because they're nice. I'd even guess that attrition would be worse than it is now since we'd be locked into a subpar contract for another 2-3 years.

Mozam

I think most are tired of the company jerking them around and want to go on strike, if nothing else to prove a point. The company has even lost the cool aid drinker. I must say. ". Thank you Carl ".

4V14T0R

Right, but since everyone else is done, we are now just wasting time. Had we filed earlier, we'd be further along the timeline Lew would talk about and would be a much greater threat to strike. With all the stalling, early on we should've filed sooner was all I was saying. We've only been making any significant progress since what, August? Maybe you're right, they waited for a deal or two to be close and see a lack of progress (extreme lack) on our part to file. I get that they're in a tough spot and we are now Monday morning Quarterbacking. My intent is not to be too harsh on the EB.

It sounds likes we're about to stall out again. The mediator is going to put a "supposal" on the table that is likely to be somewhere in the middle and not recognize where we are in time/place WRT the state of the industry (my cynical assumption only).

ElonMusk

If pilots would stop being dispatchers, ops agents, fuelers, baggage handlers and scheduling and etc we would have this signed, sealed and delivered by now. Just look at the guys picking up OT as soon as it’s offered….thank them. TTGA or nothing at all IMO. You help the company…you are the problem. Just do your job.

RJSAviator76

Don't mistake picking up OT with unwillingness to strike. TTGA is dead... hardly anything in there. I see absolutely nothing wrong with picking up more to help build a strike fund. I've managed to do well when premium is flowing, and I've also done very well when the premium is dead. Different game, only with premium dead, I'm far less tired.

Don't slam folks for building up their strike chest.

ElonMusk

I will slam folks all day long for helping the company. I do it to their face right now. Anything you do above and beyond your job and anything you do to make extra money by giving up days off….well that is shortsighted and hurts the collective. The company runs on FTEs (full time equivalences). The more help they get the better the ratio works for them. It’s math man, not simple math but it is objective and not a subjective view point.

Now saying that this pilot group is extremely selfish as a whole. It’s not just base specific, though the TX based and DEN guys are the worst offenders and yes I have a spreadsheet. So me preaching does nothing for those guys just too shortsighted to see end game.

Lastly, I fly with the premium guys quite a bit. They are not building their strike fund as they show me the Aston Martin they got or the new lake house.

Disclaimer: guys on probation are the ONLY ones that should bid OT. Nobody else….

Oh and TTGA is not dead. I average 130 a month using TTGA. Small sacrifice to make to look myself in the mirror and say I did my part. I can look at any base on any day and find TTGA, take a screen shot and then look at the original owner the day of the trip. They obviously needed the time off for whatever reason….

Grumpyaviator

Word

apc filler