Jetwash is spot on with how we all feel.
We use to be proud to be a Flight Options pilot because we were once the"industry innovators" and received industry standard pay. Now being told that we are the "value" option, and our pay shows it even though we do the same job as everyone else. How can we keep moral up when we made to feel like we are "less than" our sister company making $60,000 less. I trust our pay will eventually come up, but the question is, will it be done sooner because it is the right thing to do, or are we going to have to negotiate for it later.
I think we'll have then answer when Options decides to extend the contract for the final year, or not. If they do the right thing and don't extend, they could offer a compensation package that brings the pilots at least close to industry standard. If they extend, they're clearly intent on wringing every last dollar out of the lopsided deal they pulled on 1108.
Personally, I'm not optimistic, knowing how much animus this management group has towards unions in general, and this 1108 leadership in particular. Even if Directional buys CS, or more likely the assets, they could easily split it up - the older airplanes going to Options, with a new order book from Cessna going to Flex (orders at a deep discount, just like I'm sure Kenn got from Bombardier to take Flex off their hands). Kenn's in this to make money, and you can be sure he's not risking much of his own money to get it done. But if he can take an opportunity to run the IBT out of town, or if not then screw them over, I think he'll take a little less profit to get it done.
On the single carrier lawsuit idea, I don't know if that's even possible given that Flex is not an air carrier.
Good luck to all the pilots who have to live through this as pawns in the game. My only advice is, if you're under 40, the airlines are starting to hire - go and don't look back. This side of the business isn't what it used to be, if it ever was.
