Slammer

RG. Didn't need Ben to tell me it was a sales job by ALPA. It is apart of the process of getting 51%. Name one MEC that has not put the very best lipstick on a pig, when up for ratification? Question is whether, we can see through it all and make the right decison for us and our profession. Earlier communications and crew room discussions with reps focused on the fear of the unknown( other groups that voted down the TAs, the NMB putting us on ice, reshuffling the deck, economy etc. To be expected and appreciated, are also the counter views.

Ben Salley

Reg:

We put forth a detailed "dissenting opinion" about 3 weeks ago. We didn't read the contract for you intentionally in this message. You have the contract, you know what's in it, we would feel very obtuse in reiterating facts that you have before you. In short, we are unwilling to discuss how many tomatoes are in the new crew meals, we just want to point out that you'll have less tomatoes than Delta if you accept this deal.
Additionally, I spoke with a "Yes" voter yesterday, who I consider a friend; voting "Yes" due to a bad divorce and some gripping financial issues. I have lost no respect for my friend who needs this TA to pass; God, Family, Country with United Airlines running a distant 4th.
Lastly, I'd like to admit that you are correct in the statement that my comm is definitely "No" leaning. We are about to vote on a 2 billion dollar TA that should be amendable right now, as it is 4 years late. Our recompense for this, one fifth of said 2 Billion dollars, degradation of LCal Scope, degradation of LUal scheduling and R&I; all with a 99% strike vote that the Pilots offered us. Whether you believe it or not, it is very difficult to produce neutral comm when you have voted yes or no. You must try to balance your desire for the Pilots to make up their own minds while justifying your particular stance. If you have paid attention to our voting history in IAH, you will sure acknowledge that we have continuously voted with "Unity" in mind. "Unity" is my main priority at this time. When this vote is over this Saturday, we will need said "Unity" to either enforce this TA or work to achieve a better one. This process is democratic and I will adhere to the will of the Pilots. I will never deliver sour grapes whether the Pilots accept or reject this TA. I will never ask a Pilot how they voted. Come Saturday we should all move towards the fact that we are a single Pilot group. There is nothing that can be done about SLI; the cards will fall where they fall. I am the IAH Vice-Chairman, and the majority of IAH Pilots have conveyed that they find this TA lacking. Ergo, my vote is representatively accurate. If you or any other Pilot wishes to discuss the details of this TA, I remain as available as I can. Com however, will remain as neutral as I can make it; difficult to do when I find this deal concessionary.
Hope all is well. And hope that you accept my commitment to value "Yes" and "No" voters equally.

Frats,

Ben
412/716-8208

LCAL dude

Wish we had more Reps like you IAH guys, Ben. BZ

SpecialTracking

Ben,

Have you conveyed your feelings to Pierce and the likes of J Baron? If so, was it well received?

A320

"What I’ve found is that most “yes” voters are voting “yes” due to a fear of the unknown."

My YES vote was not out of fear. Kind of like why I make my mortgage payment. It is not because I fear losing my house. I just know that not making the payment isn't likely to get CitiMortgage to come crawling back with an offer to lower my interest rate.

Ben Salley

Good Point A320. By no means do I suggest that every yes voter is doing so out of fear, but I do think recent MEC comm has been penned to scare some of the guys who would otherwise be on the fence.

As far as the mortgage analogy goes, the company borrowed about 1.4 billion dollars a year from us, promising to pay it back years ago. You prudently honor your financial obligations and deserve credit for that. On the contrary, the company "borrowed" 1.4 billion a year from our Pilots, and paid back $400 million, 4 years late. Not much conversation to have with this Rep after that. Please understand that I did not mean to insult all yes voters with the "fear" statement, but I do feel that the MEC comm is trying to manipulate some votes by use of fear.

Ben Salley

Yes..... No

ChrisJT6

Ben, I agree with most of your sentiments but I am waiting for someone like minded to stand up in an open forum like a roadshow and tell the JNC and MEC just how they'd get the NMB and Company to meet your demands.

With a good plan...many would be with you but otherwise I see a lot of half cocked No sentiments. The biggest spreading of fear is the "you'll work under this for 10+ years" comments from my No voting friends. Might be right if we worry about another huge merger or massive century breaking recession. Let's not help Jeff bilk more retro from us.

Also, it doesn't much matter why things are different for sCAL and sUAL pilots, I can't think of any more important issue for a sUAL pilot than ending the whipsaw...that obviously many sCAL pilots are happy to continue for $20K or so more retro.

Chris

uaav8r

No, absolutely not. That would be what Ben's former airline, USair expected when they were supposed to merge with us, twice. I wonder if he was one of the US guys who wore the "DOH" pin then. Interesting though that this fear is foremost in your thoughts with regard to integrating our seniority lists. I just want a level playing field. I assume you are a junior CAL pilot?

Slammer

And i suspect you are a junior UAL guy on your current seniority list...so what's your point?