Uncle Jerry's Visit to The ASA Crew Rm

[SkyNation]

However, with the size of SkyWest, can the pilot group continue to lag behind those who are trying to restore this profession?

The few SkyWest guys I know are stand up folks who are ready to bring leadership to our profession. ALPA is the way to join together to raise all of us to a higher standard.

How are we 'lagging' behind?

What makes you think that a bunch of people totally new to ALPA (if we voted it in) would suddenly accomplish what no other regional represented by them has been able to up to now? and even if not suddenly, which it wouldn't be (try years to get a new contract), what makes you think that on our first try everything would be so much better-not just for us, but for 'our profession?'

 

[HelloNewman]

Acutally it is 4-0, not 6. Prior to that, ALPA had not lost a vote that I remember. And even though I have called for ALPA's reform, ALPA would be the best choice to represent the SkyWest pilots at this time.

SkyWest has been the beneficiary of ALPA's battles for pay and working conditions. Jerry throws out bones to keep the SkyWest guys from seeking representation. However, with the size of SkyWest, can the pilot group continue to lag behind those who are trying to restore this profession?

The few SkyWest guys I know are stand up folks who are ready to bring leadership to our profession. ALPA is the way to join together to raise all of us to a higher standard.

I would rather keep riding on the coat tails of ALPA then actually having them on our property. I am happy paying ZERO union dues. A higher standard? I think a large portion of us are already happy. A higher standard is making a good wage and not having to pay union dues.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

That 1999 drive was close. Look at the results of the 2004 union drive. Other union drives in the past also havent gone exceptionally well. One common factor is that toward the end of union drives it turns into a name calling and lecturing contest. Guys lecture you about how you "need" the union and call you all sorts of names if you disagree. I can tell myself what I need or don't need thank you very much. I am happy with PBS, I am happy with pay still around the top of the industry. I am happy with my schedule. I am happy with my life. Remember how the old saying goes if it's not broke then don't fix it.

1999 was the ALPA drive. 2004 was that Student Council In House Association or watever, and it indeed got slaughtered.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I would rather keep riding on the coat tails of ALPA then actually having them on our property. I am happy paying ZERO union dues. A higher standard? I think a large portion of us are already happy. A higher standard is making a good wage and not having to pay union dues.

Happy riding the coattails.....and we wonder what is wrong with this business.

GenX all the way. If WWII was on today, the world would be f ucked.

 

[~~~^~~~]

How are we 'lagging' behind?

...on our first try everything would be so much better-not just for us, but for 'our profession?'

The super easy answer to your question is the single pay rate. Other answers include the implementation of PBS without your input or consent.

To jack up a house, everyone must lift one corner at a time. It takes a coordinated effort. Holding up the profession is not being the low corner happy that things are "falling your way."

Isn't is obvious when airplanes are being stripped from one division of SkyWest and being awarded to another work group that one is undercutting the other? No one at SkyWest seems to believe that the transfers could go the other direction, but logic must tell you that it could happen.

Candidly, ASA pilots need help holding up our end of the house right now - if we don't get help, we may not be successful. If we are not successful, our failure will be taken to the SkyWest pilots in the form of concessions or aircraft transfers.

You know that Jerry Atkin is looking for "cheapest." I'm hopeful that we can remove pilot wages from the equation - put airplanes where it makes sense, period. Pilots don't buy airplanes. If you don't realize that it is to our benefit to organize and work together you just have not thought it through yet.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Why would it matter if the actual numbers were published? What harm could there be in publishing the number of nomination votes? Quit hiding information from the membership. 7 to 1 shows that the membership has doubts about our current strategy. This brings into doubt the information we are being fed about Wilson polling.

No, it shows that Lynn motivated all 67 of her supporters to vote, not any kind of mandate, but thanks for the SPIN you accuse all of us of. Oh and the same "birdie" must have talked to me, because I heard the 4 captain nominees got 67, 64, 47 and 45. So you can quit with the "7-1" baloney.

I'll bet that she only gets a little more than that in the general election.

 

[HelloNewman]

Happy riding the coattails.....and we wonder what is wrong with this business.

GenX all the way. If WWII was on today, the world would be f ucked.

It has worked for us for over 34 years. We aren't at the top of the industry but we are pretty darn close. There is more to compensation than just the payrates. I know you guys don't like that quote but thats the exact same quote people use to defend mainline for flying the 90 seat aircraft for less that we fly our 70-76 seat aircraft. Compare W-2s and you can bet we are fairly close to the top of the regional industry. As long as we can stay at this point without a union we are already winning the battle.

 

[SkyNation]

The super easy answer to your question is the single pay rate. Other answers include the implementation of PBS without your input or consent.

(sound of broken record playing) there's more to compensation than hourly rate-can't we get past that? I make more than an ASA pilot in my position-period.

PBS has enhanced my life. I have no problem with it.

Candidly, ASA pilots need help holding up our end of the house right now - if we don't get help, we may not be successful. If we are not successful, our failure will be taken to the SkyWest pilots in the form of concessions or aircraft transfers.

I understand that ASA pilots feel that they would be better off if we unionize. I am far from convinced that we would be.

You know that Jerry Atkin is looking for "cheapest." I'm hopeful that we can remove pilot wages from the equation - put airplanes where it makes sense, period. Pilots don't buy airplanes. If you don't realize that it is to our benefit to organize and work together you just have not thought it through yet.

I hope ya'll get what you want. I hope you don't cut off your nose to spite your face in the process.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It has worked for us for over 34 years. We aren't at the top of the industry but we are pretty darn close. There is more to compensation than just the payrates. I know you guys don't like that quote but thats the exact same quote people use to defend mainline for flying the 90 seat aircraft for less that we fly our 70-76 seat aircraft. Compare W-2s and you can bet we are fairly close to the top of the regional industry. As long as we can stay at this point without a union we are already winning the battle.

I was referring to the self-serving, narcissitic attitude reflected by the statement. Not the payrates.

 

[DrunkIrishman]

I would rather keep riding on the coat tails of ALPA then actually having them on our property. I am happy paying ZERO union dues. A higher standard? I think a large portion of us are already happy. A higher standard is making a good wage and not having to pay union dues.

I can think of another organism in biology that feeds off of others. You, Sir, are a leech. Please do not generalize this statement towards all Skywest pilots since only a miniscule amount of them share your lecherous attitude.

Hang your head in shame.

 

[John Pennekamp]

No, it shows that Lynn motivated all 67 of her supporters to vote, not any kind of mandate, but thanks for the SPIN you accuse all of us of. Oh and the same "birdie" must have talked to me, because I heard the 4 captain nominees got 67, 64, 47 and 45. So you can quit with the "7-1" baloney.

I'll bet that she only gets a little more than that in the general election.

I stand corrected. For the captains, Lynn Jackson got 66, Lee got 64, Tomlin got 52 and Utley got 48. The FOs were Bowie 62, Welsh 61, Schnorr 49, Heckard 44. Still a far cry from 7-1. Sad part was that this only represents 10.08% of our pilot group voting. What a mandate, Lynn!!!

 

[SSDD]

What a sad statement when only about 200 ASA pilots bother to vote. Kind of like the turnout at the SGU picket line.

 

[jeroom]

That is sad....especially when you hear so much bitching everyday!

 

[COOPERVANE]

$crew everybody BUT me. Attitude of the new world order.

Hey, I know, let's just give in and undercut Skywest, get their airplanes and see how they whine about us "lowering the bar"

 

[sweptback]

What a sad statement when only about 200 ASA pilots bother to vote. Kind of like the turnout at the SGU picket line.

It's not a vote, it a nomination. Different things. But I guess any chance to bash ASA pilots, right?

The vote started today and ends Dec. 11. I expect a higher percentage, but honestly not much higher -- the same as the other elections tomorrow.

 

[rtmcfi]

I would rather keep riding on the coat tails of ALPA then actually having them on our property. I am happy paying ZERO union dues. A higher standard? I think a large portion of us are already happy. A higher standard is making a good wage and not having to pay union dues.

Good God! You are an embarrassment to this entire profession. If you are not ashamed of yourself for that quote, there really is no hope. Keep standing around letting the other guys do all the work....
Keep riding those coat tails.......
You disgust me.

 

[Speedtape]

Originally Posted by Speedtape
ll


Their plan is "we'll roll over and have you a contract in 90 days." They also are promising a jean day on Monday's and Friday's.

Those other 3 people that LJ has roped into her little scheme have no idea of what they have gotten themselves into. A fellow pilot that is in R/T with one of the F/O's that is running on her ticket, was asked today some real basic questions about their platform and how they were going to achieve their 90 day goal, and the poor guy doesn't have a clue! HMMMM!

I think we need to think this one out real carefully.

L.J. , quit hiding out in the smoking room and behind Chuck Vier's office door! Come into the crew lounge and face the pilots you want to vote for you. You need to answer some questions about your ALPA experience. You need to answer some questions with more detail about how your plan can work. You need to answer some questions about why you think you deserve our trust. Why are you hiding behind three other innocent pilots?

Why did you get recalled? Why did you go into mangagement? Why did you leave management--sounds like you may not have? Why did you quit the MEC Vice-Chair job? Why should you deserve the trust of this pilot group?

Those are things that need to be answered--or maybe not!

Most of us that have been here for any length of time have been paying attention and don't have short memories!


I vote NO to the CO----alition! Of really ONE!

 

[HelloNewman]

I can think of another organism in biology that feeds off of others. You, Sir, are a leech. Please do not generalize this statement towards all Skywest pilots since only a miniscule amount of them share your lecherous attitude.

Hang your head in shame.

What is there to be ashamed of? No one here is a leech. We are just making the best of a good situation. You can't fault anyone for playing the best hand with the cards they are dealt. If things were so bad here ALPA would have been voted in long ago. Luckily we have been able to stay at or near the top of the industry since that infamous 1999 drive that failed by a few votes. IMO that was the best thing that ever happened to us. We have done well since then and saved a lot of money. Unfortunately the RLA frankly just sucks. The cards are already stacked against the unions so we might as well at least wait until the RLA changes. If the RLA was ever changed to allow contracts to expire, better grievance resolution etc then I would be much more receptive to a union. Until then....... only time will tell the results of this union drive.