1) Has anything changed for the worst since pinnacle took ownership of us? No, infact things have only changed for the better.
Oh, so you're one of those "me me me" people.
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.
You'll probably grow even more than that in the next few years, especially with no contractual protections and the ability for management to schedule you right up to 16 hour duty days, 8 hour block days, reduced rest, and 30/7 and 100/1 limitations.
Then, when you finally get rid of the abuse and spend another YEAR voting in a union, then ANOTHER 3 YEARS getting a contract, they'll shrink YOU and go find a new small airline to purchase and grow.
But you don't care, you're just here for your 1,000 PIC, right?

uke:
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.
Again. If you WAIT to organize until AFTER bad things have happened, you're screwed because:
A.) The bad precedents set the bar for negotiations. ALWAYS harder to undo something than it is to get it right the first time.
B.) Organizing takes up to a year.
C.) Negotiations for a new contract take 2-5 years, depending on how deep your pockets are and how deep management is in bed with whoever the appointed mediator is.
Waiting would be incredibly stupid.
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.
Whether you remain independent or not isn't your decision to make. It's the PCL BOD's.
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.
Hmmm... "many" Colgan pilots feel differently than you. Maybe it's YOU who's out of step.
Just a thought.
To answer the original question,before this thread fills up with Pinna$$holes, there are really only two reasons for a union at 9L (that's Colgan's identifier, for you that don't know).
1. Block intergration of the seniorioty lists.
2. Block another Pinnacle Airlines Corp. subsidiary from inposing their scope on us.
I couldn't give a rat's a$$ about anything else right now and couldn't care less if these were the only two clauses in any contract we signed.
If it weren't for one or two of your more level-headed coworkers, I'd start watching the interview lists here a lot more closely for "Colganites".
Definitely don't want to have to share the cockpit with someone like you for a single day, much less a longer trip or a whole month.