Because you are relying on rumors instead of facts.
I find it ironic that you wish to protect the LAX size, but you have no regard for the SEA pilots that are being forced from their homes. Bottom line, the company has run many different scenarios that have equal cost options for them. They wish to have SEA ETOPS, as it will give them the most flexibility for the future, but they have an equal cost solution for the short term. It is going to be up to the us to pick which option.
There is only one time a union has a position to negotiate from, and that is a release to self help. This will never happen as we are outside of Section 6. Actually why don't you ask your reps what the intent language of the ETOPS base discussion.
On a personal note, I am sick and tired of ANC pilots thinking that they are better than everyone else at this airline. You have to remember that your base makes up 13% of our pilot group. You don't run the show. DEAL WITH IT!
SF,
You make some very valid points in your argument with AK737, and I don't disagree with anything you wrote, but I think the SEA ETOPS base needs to be looked at from another perspective.
Why are we in such a hurry to set up a SEA ETOPS base? What benefit will it have for us as a pilot group to get it done quickly? I say none whatsoever. Management has said that the PDX base will stand regardless of whether we vote for a SEA ETOPS base. Unfortunately, when have we ever really been able to trust a verbal guarantee from management?
Two things will happen if we vote for a SEA ETOPS base before a PDX base opens. First, it will be a country club for a very senior group of captains. Many of whom should already be retired or should be retiring soon. They will definately stick around for the full five, vsa-ing or running their lines up to 90+, further stagnating our career progression. Second, if it gets approved before PDX has started up, management will cancel the PDX bid because they will have their productivity in SEA, haven't had to pay moving expenses, and won't have to pay to close the base later. My gut feeling is that we are being played for fools if we vote for this thing before PDX takes effect.
I just don't understand why our elected representatives are working so hard to get this done so quickly, except that SEA wants it all for themselves at the expense of the other bases. We should be sitting on this until PDX officially takes effect.
As you stated in your personal note, I agree wholeheartedly about being sick of ANC pilots and their unfounded superiority complex. Most are good guys, but there are a few that can't let go of that Arctic Eagle BS. Arctic flying is some of the easiest I have ever done, as is ETOPS flying. It isn't rocket science and you aren't a hero for landing on a 6000' runway. SEA and LAX consistently fly in more difficult environments in the lower 48 with snowstorms, thunderstorms, and extremely busy airspace. Not to mention SEA has been flying all of the SE AK stuff this past winter. I'm not advocating that SEA and LAX have better pilots, just that ANC pilots aren't some super group like a few folks with short pitot tubes would suggest. BTW, I'm ANC based.
CP out.
