Here's my prediction

[TurboHonda]

Here's my prediction for FLOPS

Ricci was on the premises when the RIFs occurred. Does anyone really think he had no control over it?

Now Sheeringa is gone. Bad Michael. Michael is gone, but his policy remains.

Ricci arrives with his phony assed toothy grin. He throws some food at the pilots and hires back the 70 that he helped fire. I haven’t forgotten the 128 non pilots. But, management and support was top heavy and needed to be trimmed anyway.

Now Ricci is personally negotiating in good faith. Well, maybe.

Ricci will eventually reach a stalling point in negotiations. The mediator will release us to self help.

A strike will never happen. Between the kool-aid crowd, the crew meal fat bodies, and those just happy to have a job (or their job back), we’ll return to the days of the CULTure.

Are we smart enough to see through what’s happening? I don’t think so.

Prove me wrong. Please!!

 

[Myster79]

Ricci was on the premises when the RIFs occurred. Does anyone really think he had no control over it?

Now Sheeringa is gone. Bad Michael. Michael is gone, but his policy remains.

Ricci arrives with his phony assed toothy grin. He throws some food at the pilots and hires back the 70 that he helped fire. I haven’t forgotten the 128 non pilots. But, management and support was top heavy and needed to be trimmed anyway.

Now Ricci is personally negotiating in good faith. Well, maybe.

Ricci will eventually reach a stalling point in negotiations. The mediator will release us to self help.

A strike will never happen. Between the kool-aid crowd, the crew meal fat bodies, and those just happy to have a job (or their job back), we’ll return to the days of the CULTure.

Are we smart enough to see through what’s happening? I don’t think so.

Prove me wrong. Please!!

I disagree. I have more faith in our pilot group. I do not believe the pilots would allow this to happen. As for the 70, I strongly believe that everyone of them would follow the advice of our union.

I agree that the company may be trying to butter us up and stalling negotiations is part of their master plan. However, I hope we are both wrong.

All of us need to stay focused and follow the advice of our elected leadership. We will prevail, but we need to stay united.

 

[993_Pilot]

Ricci will eventually reach a stalling point in negotiations.

This already appears to be starting

The mediator will release us to self help.

The management could never let it go that far. Even if only a third of the pilots walked out for a few days, they would have to spend millions on charters to service the owners, assuming there is even enough charter available. The owners who were not serviced, would sue the company for breech of contract and/or leave to the competition, and who could blame them? It would essentially mean the end of the company in a very short amount of time, and I don't really think that H.I.G. invested their money just to piss it away by being stubborn. Keep in mind that we are not asking for the moon, we are simply asking for a CBA that pays and treats us fairly. It will probably not even make us the highest paid pilots, but we certainly won't still settle for being the lowest any more.

 

[skyismyoffice]

We can come up with doomsday scenarios all day long but what's the point. Since you started the thread I'll throw in my thoughts...

Ricci NEEDED to give us some cookies otherwise I don't think any of the pilots wouild listen to anything he had to say. We have all been so beaten down by management that he had to make some pretty big changes pretty quick to get our attention. He has my attention.

I don't think your scenario makes sense and here is why...Ricci has gone public in a big way talking about how new management is comitted to working with the pilots. The recent press release talked about 'unprecedented cooperation'. Ricci stalls the negotiation and he will be smeared all over every major business aviation publication. Maybe he doesn't care, but I think image is a BIG thing to him.

But as I have said since his return - Anything can happen tomorrow. We are definitely NOT out of the woods.

 

[jetwash]

Management by Trust is what Ricci says.

I give him the benefit of the doubt, but if he started dragging his feet in the negotiations he will lose my trust in an instant. I am waiting for the next negotiation report to come out as I am sure many of us are to see where we stand.

 

[dime line]

he is dragging his feet. He hasnt been seen at the negotiation table for at least a week

 

[skyismyoffice]

Management by Trust is what Ricci says.

I give him the benefit of the doubt, but if he started dragging his feet in the negotiations he will lose my trust in an instant. I am waiting for the next negotiation report to come out as I am sure many of us are to see where we stand.

Exactly! If the negotiating report says Ricci is full of Sh!t then I have the feeling most of the new found optimism will go away real fast.

 

[skyismyoffice]

he is dragging his feet. He hasnt been seen at the negotiation table for at least a week

I'm OK with that as long as he is spending his time counting all the money to fund the new contract.:laugh:

 

[993_Pilot]

I'm OK with that as long as he is spending his time counting all the money to fund the new contract.:laugh:

As Larry the Cable Guy once Said. . .
Now that's funny right there, I don't care who you are!

 

[netjetwife]

...Ricci has gone public in a big way talking about how new management is comitted to working with the pilots. The recent press release talked about 'unprecedented cooperation'. Ricci stalls the negotiation and he will be smeared all over every major business aviation publication. Maybe he doesn't care, but I think image is a BIG thing to him.

But as I have said since his return - Anything can happen tomorrow. We are definitely NOT out of the woods.

I agree with you, Sky. It's a safe bet that his image and his reputation do matter to Ricci. After all, frac owners can afford the best so why do business with someone who has a reputation for being untrustworthy? Publicly, no less?! Flight Options needs good PR --not bad--and surely Ricci is smart enough to realize that. Just as the pilots are united enough to insist that Ricci puts money where his mouth is and makes good on his promises to the pilotgroup. Good Luck, guys! NJW

 

[LizardEyes]

Walk the Walk

Ricci can sell ice to eskimos. So he can talk the talk all day long, I am waiting for him to walk the walk. Let's wrap up this TA. This week's negotiations were not very productive. Ken, don't piss away the goodwill you were just beginning to build.

 

[ProFracPilot]

I am waiting for the next negotiation report to come out as I am sure many of us are to see where we stand.

And so we wait. And wait. And wait.

I'm disappointed that our union leadership has not communicated with the membership on status of negotiations in weeks. Our MEC Chairman told us we would be recieving a negotiating report last week. Direct requests have been made, and still nothing.

 

[TurboHonda]

We can come up with doomsday scenarios all day long but what's the point. Since you started the thread I'll throw in my thoughts...

Ricci NEEDED to give us some cookies otherwise I don't think any of the pilots wouild listen to anything he had to say. We have all been so beaten down by management that he had to make some pretty big changes pretty quick to get our attention. He has my attention.

I don't think your scenario makes sense and here is why...Ricci has gone public in a big way talking about how new management is comitted to working with the pilots. The recent press release talked about 'unprecedented cooperation'. Ricci stalls the negotiation and he will be smeared all over every major business aviation publication. Maybe he doesn't care, but I think image is a BIG thing to him.

But as I have said since his return - Anything can happen tomorrow. We are definitely NOT out of the woods.

Cookies? What better cookies than the ones he had just stolen? Almost 6 dozen of them.

What I’m saying is the egotistical little man believes that hearts and minds are being won with just his presence. If negotiations should stall, he’ll put the typical Ricci spin on it. “It’s not me. It’s the union.”

Then he’ll tell us about how he compares a union to an unnecessary mediator in his marriage. Guess who’s the wife and who’s the husband in this make believe picture.

So, even if we’re released to self help, would we have the support to pursue it? He’s betting we don’t. After all, he conned the RTA pilots. It worked then. It’ll work again.

This is just a prediction. It’s not based on anything other than history trying to repeat itself.

 

[993_Pilot]

...So, even if we’re released to self help, would we have the support to pursue it? He’s betting we don’t. After all, he conned the RTA pilots. It worked then. It’ll work again...

As the saying goes, "F me once, shame on you, F me twice, shame on Me!" There is no way it will work on everyone, and this company can't stand for even a quarter of the pilots to walk out. It would financially wreck us in short order. I don't think H.I.G. would let that happen... in fact I suspect that Kenn would be shown the door again if he tried that.

I would be the stalling is probably related to putting the final details on the acquisition that he discussed.
It would be easier for him if that was done before a CBA was finalized.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

Since I apparently posted this in the middle of YET another B19/NJW thread hijack, I'll try here (for anyone not caught up in Ricci's Fairyland):

Quote:
Originally Posted by Voice Of Reason
Is it possible to craft a scope that will survive through:
- a company that has a bigger (and anti-union) group of pilots acquires or is acquired by Flops?
- a company that has a bigger (DIFFERENT union) pilot group that acquires or is acquired by Flops (and may staple...what if THEY have an iron clad scope clause)?
-Flops selling off the operation in parts
-Flops turning the operation into something other than fractional (charter, lease, managed, new variation of operating not yet named that KR will again "invent")?
-Contract pilots flooding the operation
????
Just a few things to think about


Quote: Originally Posted by Voice Of Reason :
>>>BTW...How many pilots does XO Jet have? Anyone? Don't be surprised if it's a Flops2 started to again bust the union and eventually phase out the Flops name that's been sullied....I hear they're paid and treated pretty well
...Sound familiar?
(Flops of years gone by)>>>

 

[jetwash]

I would be the stalling is probably related to putting the final details on the acquisition that he discussed.
It would be easier for him if that was done before a CBA was finalized.

Or he could just be busy working on the details for the company picnic on labor day!!!!!

 

[skyismyoffice]

And so we wait. And wait. And wait.

I'm disappointed that our union leadership has not communicated with the membership on status of negotiations in weeks. Our MEC Chairman told us we would be recieving a negotiating report last week. Direct requests have been made, and still nothing.

Leadership has previously said that no news is good news. Many times they can't comment on negotiations because to do so might jeopardize things that are close to being agreed upon. I'm hoping this is the case.

 

[1folinepilot]

Cookies? What better cookies than the ones he had just stolen? Almost 6 dozen of them.

What I’m saying is the egotistical little man believes that hearts and minds are being won with just his presence. If negotiations should stall, he’ll put the typical Ricci spin on it. “It’s not me. It’s the union.”

Then he’ll tell us about how he compares a union to an unnecessary mediator in his marriage. Guess who’s the wife and who’s the husband in this make believe picture.

So, even if we’re released to self help, would we have the support to pursue it? He’s betting we don’t. After all, he conned the RTA pilots. It worked then. It’ll work again.

This is just a prediction. It’s not based on anything other than history trying to repeat itself.

This time the "wife" has a thick 12" strap on and is ready to play ball!

Looks like the "husband" has two choices here, 1, honor his word on wages, contract and respect and everybody moves happily on to sustained profitabillity and growth, or 2, bend over and take it like he deserves!

It's contract time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO_MYxRYdoE

 

[B19 Flyer]

Ricci was on the premises when the RIFs occurred. Does anyone really think he had no control over it? :laugh:

Now Sheeringa is gone. Bad Michael. Michael is gone, but his policy remains.

Ricci arrives with his phony assed toothy grin. He throws some food at the pilots and hires back the 70 that he helped fire. I haven’t forgotten the 128 non pilots. But, management and support was top heavy and needed to be trimmed anyway.

Now Ricci is personally negotiating in good faith. Well, maybe.

Ricci will eventually reach a stalling point in negotiations. The mediator will release us to self help.

A strike will never happen. Between the kool-aid crowd, the crew meal fat bodies, and those just happy to have a job (or their job back), we’ll return to the days of the CULTure.

Are we smart enough to see through what’s happening? I don’t think so.

Prove me wrong. Please!!

Hard for me to admit, but this is one of the few posts that hit the nail on the head.

For the most part, the union mob isn't smart enough, but I've said it all along that the 70 were nothing more than negotiating chips.

It's all part of the game. Over two years ago I wrote there would be at least three years of turmoil. Almost there...

All the problems that you guys are complaining about won't get fixed with a CBA. The only thing that be eased at all will be the payroll and work rules.

All the rest of the stuff will still be there, but there will be a lot less money to "fix" those items.
You will get what you asked for.

And be ready to do it all over again in 36 months.

 

[993_Pilot]

Or he could just be busy working on the details for the company picnic on labor day!!!!!

I was talking about last week, and do you really think the details of a picnic warrant a weeks worth of his time?

...I haven’t forgotten the 128 non pilots. But, management and support was top heavy and needed to be trimmed anyway...

Hard for me to admit, but this is one of the few posts that hit the nail on the head...

Wow B19, after all your posts about the 128, you admit that some needed to be trimmed from the payroll anyways?

 

[B19 Flyer]

Wow B19, after all your posts about the 128, you admit that some needed to be trimmed from the payroll anyways?

Never wrote that. But as I've stated before, they were sacrificed because of union negotiations.

 

[dime line]

Moron

 

[Publishers]

As I said before, I do not believe in the chip philosophy. It was more a different approach in a shrinking market that one guy had. Obviously that was not the direction that the new owner thought was productive and he made a change. Now Ken comes back and he makes a relatively small step to improve overall cultural mood.
That done, he had more crtical things to work on. First getting the revenue turned around. The Phenom will not be here immediately and he needs new customers. You do not need employees at all with no aircraft or customers. Secondly is funding the change in plan has to be addressed at a time when the business is harder to get accpetable money. Third is probably appeasing the new owner that he has a workable plan and keeping them motivated for support. When he gets those handled, he can worry more about the employee contracts etc..

 

[Options_SLAVE]

I think your priorities are backwards. Let me re-phrase that. If you are correct, RICCI has HIS priorities backwards.

His first priority should be to fix his employee relations problems. Then the employees will help him fix the other problems you mentioned.

It will do him no good to get customers OR funding if he doesn't have any pilots willing to do the work required to keep either of them.

 

[dime line]

Lets not forget, Ricci is a known union hater. We are willing to work with him, but will he work with us? So far he hasn't negotiated as he said he would.

 

[993_Pilot]

Never wrote that. But as I've stated before, they were sacrificed because of union negotiations.

No, you just said that TurboHonda "hit the nail on the head" when he said it.

 

[Options_SLAVE]

Lets not forget, Ricci is a known union hater. We are willing to work with him, but will he work with us? So far he hasn't negotiated as he said he would.

You're right. Ricci's about to find out the hard way that we aren't playing games.

 

[TurboHonda]

As I said before, I do not believe in the chip philosophy. It was more a different approach in a shrinking market that one guy had. Obviously that was not the direction that the new owner thought was productive and he made a change. Now Ken comes back and he makes a relatively small step to improve overall cultural mood.
That done, he had more crtical things to work on. First getting the revenue turned around. The Phenom will not be here immediately and he needs new customers. You do not need employees at all with no aircraft or customers. Secondly is funding the change in plan has to be addressed at a time when the business is harder to get accpetable money. Third is probably appeasing the new owner that he has a workable plan and keeping them motivated for support. When he gets those handled, he can worry more about the employee contracts etc..

What sanctimonious and condescending BS.

CULTural mood? I hate that word.

More critical things to work on? What pilot would ever agree with that?

When he gets those handled? That is, by definition, stalling.

 

[Myster79]

I think your priorities are backwards. Let me re-phrase that. If you are correct, RICCI has HIS priorities backwards.

His first priority should be to fix his employee relations problems. Then the employees will help him fix the other problems you mentioned.

It will do him no good to get customers OR funding if he doesn't have any pilots willing to do the work required to keep either of them.

I couldn't have said that better myself.

 

[Publishers]

In any battle, you address the aspect that can kill you first, not the annoying ones. Owners of companies, be they stockholders or private entities want to have a plan in place that deals with the market, how you intend to finance the plan, what are the logistics (infrastructure) for it, and a timetable to get it done.
They assume you are going to be able to have a workforce that fits the need and will address the issues that come up.
No one is saying that the pilot group or any other employee group is not important -- how important was the guy who came up with the fuel hedge program at Southwest Airlines -- but the fact is that these are cogs in the wheel. Not understanding the order of things is the root cause of most labor management relationship problems, especially in the airlines with heavy union influence.
Everyone seems to forget, there is currently only one company that really has a model that works profitably and even that one has some problems. The rest all struggle to get profitable. No figuring that out and there is no need.