Comair's contact is gone; will they strike

[WateryGrave]

I think he might be more comfortable in an anger management class.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Its always nice to see support, but it would help so much better if you'd walk the line and get your contract negotiated. Walking the line with us accomplishes little more than giving us the "warm and fuzzy" but taking some of that downward pressure off of our pay scales is what really needs to happen.

All I can say is we are trying. Trying a lot harder than your MEC did when it signed on for two rounds of concessions for growth aimed straight at our fleet. Why don't you stop kicking the few pilots that support you square in the nuts. It is hard to hold up the profession when both hands are being used to shield the family jewels from your "friend's" boots.

 

[AMANSWORLD]

If there is a sick out, I assure you that the company will slap the pilot group with a restraining order before lunch. They will use your post as evidence. Don't believe me? Ask anyone that was there in December of '99.

"DOWN!"

Screw the company. They could careless about its employees. They have already shown that. Comair guys and gals hold your ground. You are doing the right thing, flying jobs are a dime a dozen. Besides FWIW you can enjoy the fact that you did it your way in the end.

 

[BrazPilot]

Strike ahead boys and gals! I hope I can walk the lines with you. Enough of this corporate greed cr@p. I wish every regional pilot could have the opportunity to strike and show how much more we deserve. A sure thing is that "big guys" will be at home with their families enjoying the holidays and their fat paychecks caring less about you.
Good luck to you all. God Bless and Merry Christmas or Happy whatever you celebrate.

Braz

 

[AuburnRedneck9]

All I can say is we are trying. Trying a lot harder than your MEC did when it signed on for two rounds of concessions for growth aimed straight at our fleet. Why don't you stop kicking the few pilots that support you square in the nuts. It is hard to hold up the profession when both hands are being used to shield the family jewels from your "friend's" boots.

I disagree our pilot group is not earning a good contract. Most of us are still helping the company out and proceeding with business as usual (that's being a professional according to our union). If we did what CA did with their contract six years ago we would have reached an agreement years ago. It's our fault that CA's getting hit. Whoever said that marching around with them in Atlanta is pointless is correct. We can say that times are different (post 9-11) and point out that some work group was sanctioned for illegal self help, but when the day is over and CA has been screwed we're just as spinless as everyone else. CA screwed ASA with concessions for growth, Mesa voted in a substandard contract for massive growth, Skywest pilots can't get it together and get a union, and we can't stand up to our managment to get a contract. The truth hurts doesn't it?

 

[V-1]

V1,

wash-out rates in the sim are at the same rates they've always been. According to the sim instructors, its about 1 a month for a total of 12 a year.

You are correct on the numbers leaving class though. Out of 12, about 3 or 4 complete ground school.

That's not the information I'm hearing...not that it's likely any more credible than any other information out there.

 

[plunger]

That's not the information I'm hearing...not that it's likely any more credible than any other information out there.

What are you hearing?

 

[crjdxr]

This is coming from a non-pilot, non-ALPA member, so take it FWIW...

I think the point is to begin to reverse the trend. From what I can gather ASA pilots are trying like hades to at least hang on to what they have and not give into the concession paradigm. The Comair guys and gals gave in for a whole host of reasons, none of which seems to be saving them right now. OAL ALPA members walking the line with Comair guys and gals during picketing is a simple show of solidarity. Considering the overall lack thereof, perhaps this simple act speaks more loudly than it did in years past. Maybe it helps to begin to rebuild the "union" in Union.

I dunno - I'm tired of hearing that I cost too much and that my wages are out of whack for the industry in which I work. My problem is that I don't have a trade union to help with that, I'm "at-will", and my only real choice is to leave. I'm envious (to a degree) that you ALPA folks at least have a mechanism to change things for the better if not hold on to what you already have. Maybe it's time to quit worrying about who did what to who for how many cookies how many years ago and just get on with it?

 

[uba757]

Acarpe, I hope US Air purchases your sorry A$$. Even FDJ2 and the General have enough sense not to come here and start talking trash at this critical time for the Comair pilot group. Here you have a bunch of pilots worried about their future and garbage like you have to show your lack of class with stupid comments. At least when the Comair pilots said they were going to strike they did you coward. UBA757

 

[Lear70]

I don't know a whole lot about 121 either but I don't think your represented by the union your first year. So, if you walk the line, I'd imagine CMR would dispose of you rather quickly. The best thing to do if they wanted you to cross the line would be to resign I imagine.

Incorrect.

During your first year you ARE protected by the contract, except for the discipline / termination language.

Even then, NO ALPA carrier has EVER allowed the company to take hostages (fire pilots and hold them as a bargaining tool).

They HAVE allowed the probies to continue to fly in a case or two (who cares if they show up if there's not a CA to fly with them except the handful of mgmt pilots)? They have also asked them not to fly and then refused to return to work with a new agreement until the probies are returned to flying status with nothing in their employment file.

Bottom line, if you're a new-hire, stay in touch with your union reps then do whatever they tell you to do come strike time (but keep your options open for other flying in case the strike is protracted or the company liquidates).

You still have a LONG time before you have to worry about it. CMR will get the injunction and you won't be even close to striking until CMR exits Ch. 11, and that's a big IF no agreement is reached before then AND they don't find yet ANOTHER judge to establish a new precedent with the RLA to inhibit the strike AFTER the company is no longer in bankruptcy.

If they do, you can kiss the RLA protections (what few are left) goodbye in this industry.