I would like to make a few points that should be considered by my fellow colgan peers concerning this "need for a union" issue.
1) Has anything changed for the worst since pinnacle took ownership of us? No, infact things have only changed for the better. Information has been disseminated quicker then ever before, more Saab aircraft are being introduced as well as routes and bases, and a larger airframe (Q400) is in the works. These are only a few examples. Untill something disasterious happens there isn't a reson to lose money out of are paychecks to support a organization that would have no purpose but to profit off a company that we worked our butts off to build.
The intent is to be forward thinking.... waiting till things get disaterous (sp) is too late. You can't inquire about insurance when the wx forcast turn bad and expect to get a call back.
Waiting to see if the tsunami comes and when it does as your M.O. for the need of a union is self defeating.. You can't have your cake and eat it too...
2) I agree that one of the hottest topics for the argument of a union at this point is second year F/O pay. I'll admit that Colgan wages, although industry competitive the first year, seriously lack. If management at Pinnacle is smart this should be addressed very quickly. This single issue could hold the weight to bring on a union. Combine a second year F/O raise with a smaller across the board pilot pay increase would ease a lot of tension.
If PCL magmnt is smart? sure they are smart... to thier stockholders. Not to you and me. We have been trying to get good pay for over two years.... They may just give it to you to create the whipsaw.... How'd that be? We've been trying to negotiate in good faith for years and you get a pay raise... if you don't see the bias in that then we are all screwed.. We have to be in this together...we get to carry each other....
3) If the need for a union does become apparent we are going to have to consider an organization different than Pinnacles ALPA. We would need to protect ourselves from both management and the few radicals in the Pinnacle pilot group if we are to remain an independent airline.
We don't need additional boundries created by other unions. You don't need to protect yourselves from your fellow pilot.... Not sure if you have any names of PCL radicals.? Perhaps your perception of radicals has come from reading this board? I can assure you the PCL pilot leadership is quite moderate and inclusive of Colgan pilots. We are all about inclusion not exclusion.
Remain an independent airline? that was yesterday. Your new world order is here and the PCL pilots are on your side. The same side.
From talking to many Colgan pilots I feel that they do not understand the impact this will have on all of our lives. They more or less want a union so they can ware the ALPA lanyard and be respected by Mesa pilots in the crew-room at IAD. Lets not rush and wait and see what develops.
No, they want a union so they aren't used to screw PCL pilots. They want a union cause they don't want to be screwed themselves. Repsresentation is a fundamental right in this country...if you choose to exercise it...
Remember Pinnacle Airlines Corporation is just that, a Corporation. They have a responsibility to make money just like McDonalds does. We are all employees of this corporation and must look at the big picture.
Agreed. They have a responsibility to make money. Not to you or your quality of life. Recall, if we have something then PCL management doesn't have everything. We are not repsected as pilots. We are viewed as a cost that must be controlled and lowered. Pathetic but true. The only difference between us and a baggage cart is the baggage cart doesn't question decisions and doesn't require healthcare.... If airline management could get a baggage cart to fly a jet they would...
Check six.
