captscott26

The voluntary displacement issue is only one reason, not the only one. In the past, we have completely re-bid when the company has made huge changes to the allocation of pilots in a vacancy/reduction bulletin. While its true that the CBA allows the co to cancel a bulletin at any time, there is no language that spells out how to handle those pilots that would have bid differently had they known of the changes. I believe it's always better to allow pilots the opportunity to exercise their seniority over allowing guys to go where they don't want to go due to a technicality. Seniority is everything in this business. I hear what you guys are saying, but realize there are two sides to the story. I get the feeling that if you guys were the ones that got screwed you would be on the other side of this argument.

Dilbert

The TSA has never apprehended a terrorist - not even a fake one. It is time to privatize it. EXCLUSIVE: TSA screeners allow fed agent with fake bomb to pass through security at Newark Airport - NYPOST.com

NedsKid

Can we tone down the rhetoric just a bit?

On the award of March 6th (which may now change due to re-opening the bid), 2 pilots, both DTW FO's, leave DTW (a 3rd DTW FO leaves for DFW CA, but was not a voluntary, b/c there are hundreds of guys who have DFW CA bid as a vacancy junior to him). So, there are the only two guys who could have potentially bid a voluntary, rather than a vacancy. Both those guys went to LAS FO. That opened up 2 spots in DTW FO.

The most senior person to get impacted by these two guys is the second most junior pilot to get awarded DTW FO (the most senior guy took the spot that would have been open regardless). . . he was hired in November 2012. He opened up a FLL FO spot. The guy who took his spot, and could potentially lose it if the DTW FO changes his bid, is a guy who is still in training right now.

The second guy to get DTW FO was also hired in the same class as the first guy, November 2012, and vacated a DFW FO spot. The guy who took his spot, and could potentially lose it if the other DTW FO changes his bid, is the second most junior pilot on property who is not in training still. He'll get DFW FO awarded to him almost certainly in the next bid, effective June 1st, rather than May 1st, as the DFW base continues to grow.

So, cry me a freakin' river, but 4 total pilots are at most impacted. The most senior two pilots have been at Spirit all of 4 months, so have spent 1/2 their time here at Spirit in training. Another guy just got signed off as a line pilot, and the last guy, as of now, is not even assigned a base yet, he's so new!

These 4 guys need to smell the roses some more.

Balder

NK, there is a smell here, but it is not the roses. Our Management Team have bungled this ordeal from the start.
The way they have tried to turn the base reduction into a political ploy against us and our Union, blaming a crew room grievance. Then at the posted award date, nothing. Then changing the whole bid strastically. Then changing their mind again by allowing a 24 hour re-bid.
This is not the way it is supposed to be done, and it messes with peoples lifes in a vindictive way. It makes our Management guys look like idiots. Cudos to our Union leadership for standing up to them and making an honest effort to enforce our hard-fought contract.

Normann

This has been said here before. They can change or cancel any bid, anytime they want, even after the award. It is frustrating, but it is what it is. Back five years ago it was not even worth looking at an award until revision 3. The only problem they will run into with this bid is the required X days off before training. I don't remember how many days it is, but I think it is more than 3. The first upgrade is scheduled for the 11th. It is the 9th already. But would you refuse to show up for your upgrade because of that?

Does it make our management look like idiots? Sure. But if you think this place is attracting high quality management types, than you are wrong. This is still a little place, with little compensation for management as well. All we have is big hopes and some solid results for the past few years. This could change overnight if AA decides to take a giant sh..t on us.

Lemonade

There is a complete transcript of the tele conference over on Spiritpilotboard.net for anyone interested.

Balder

I agree with you, Normann. I have big hopes too. Excited about working here and doing my best to contribute to us making money. But let's not give our management a pass on following the contract, or treating us with respect, just so they can pad the profits a little more.
Seems like most of the whining and complaining here lately are coming from them, because they are loosing all the arbitrations and are prospectively being barred from bypassing the seniority list.

Normann

I don't think I suggested giving them a pass.

Balder

You didn't, I respect your post. That reference was meant as food for thought for some of the other posters on this thread.

NedsKid

And that's the issue, right there. Spirit ALPA is always put in a position where they either demand contract compliance - in this case, it might delay the upgrades of 4 guys, and, in theory, everyone in the history of the company after them - and get labeled as 'against the pilots', just like they were they enforced the JA limitation in the contract, or they waive the contract (again, this wouldn't be the first time upgrade training was done with less than required notice - DFW opening), and get labeled by the pilots as 'selectively enforcing the contract'.