US Congress tries to block Flag-of-Convenience model for Norwegian Longhaul

[johnsonrod]

Sorry for all of the punctuation issues - it doesn't always translate when you copy and paste....





ALPA Lauds U.S. House Action to Block Federal Transportation Funds from Skewing Marketplace against U.S. Airlines
Would Block U.S. Foreign Air Carrier Permits for Flag-of-Convenience Models Such As NAI
WASHINGTON

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int?l (ALPA) commends an amendment passed unanimously by voice vote today by the U.S. House of Representatives that would help safeguard the U.S. airline industry's ability to compete on a level playing field by making certain that federal transportation funds are not used to grant foreign airlines that violate U.S. law or the U.S.-EU Air Transport Agreement access to U.S. markets.
Thanks to the tremendous leadership of Rep. Westmoreland and Rep. DeFazio, this amendment specifically prohibits shopping for cheap labor and simply requires the Department of Transportation to follow the law and provisions agreed to in the U.S.-EU Transport Agreement, said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA's president. Congress has a responsibility to make sure that U.S. airlines do business in a fair marketplace and that the U.S. government's transportation funds don?t hand an advantage to foreign airlines that try to cheat the system.?
Introduced by Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), the amendment to the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 4745) stipulates that none of the funds in the bill may be used to approve a foreign air carrier permit or application where such approval would contravene United States law or Article 17 bis of the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport Agreement.

The amendment passed today would prevent the Department of Transportation from approving Norwegian Air International's (NAI) foreign air carrier permit application because the airline's operations would contradict the U.S. EU Air Transport Agreement, which specifically prohibits any efforts to undermine labor standards.

Despite the fact that Norwegian Air Shuttle, NAI's parent company, has centered its operations in Norway and that NAI does not plan to fly to or from Ireland, the company has gained permission from Ireland to operate its long-haul flights as an Irish airline expressly to avoid Norway's employment laws. With an Irish air operator certificate, NAI will outsource its flight crews through a Singapore employment company using individual contracts with wages well below those of the company?s Norway-based employees.

By passing this amendment that blocks the Norwegian Air International scheme and any similar bid to contravene the U.S.-EU Air Transport Agreement, the U.S. House has taken a strong stand for fair competition for U.S. airlines, said Capt. Moak. "We urge the U.S. Senate to support the U.S. House position and send a clear signal that Congress is committed to ensuring U.S. airlines and their employees do business on a level playing field."
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world?s largest pilot union, representing more than 51,000 pilots at 32 airlines in the United States and Canada.

 

[tailhookah]

fvcking A bubba... good deal. Let's hope the lib senate doesn't pull some crap... the way our government is sold out to big business you never know until the end. But a good sign was the unaminous vote... shows good promise. We'll take this as a victory for now.

tailhookah

 

[SIG600]

Outstanding.

 

[waveflyer]

Fellow SWAPA pilots,

Your Governmental Affairs team is on the Hill today pushing for support on the Westmoreland-DeFazio Amendment to H.R. 4745. Here is the amendment that could go to vote as early as this evening:

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to approve a foreign air carrier permit or exemption application of an air carrier holding an air operators certificate issued by a country that is party to the U.S.-E.U. Air Transport Agreement where such approval would contravene United States law or Article 17 bis of the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport Agreement.

Your SWAPA Governmental Affairs team needs you to call your Congressional Representative's office today and tell them to support the Westmoreland-DeFazio Amendment to the FY2015 Transportation-HUD Appropriations Bill.

This amendment is part of an ongoing effort to stop the Norwegian Air International Application to the US DOT for foreign carrier status. SWAPA and other groups believe that the Norwegian scheme and flag of convenience strategy are direct threats to all career professional pilots in the United States.

How do you reach your Congressional Representative's office?
Use this "Find Your Representative" link and enter your Zip Code or Zip plus Four if needed. You can link from there to your Congressional Rep's website to find a D.C. office phone number.

1. What should I say when I call my Congressional office?
"Hi my name is ___________ I am calling today to urge Congressman XXXX to support the Westmoreland-DeFazio amendment to H.R. 4745, the FY2015 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill that is on the floor this week. I am a Southwest Airlines pilot and a constituent, and this amendment is important to protect my career and my profession."

2. When should I make the call?
This Amendment is time critical and will be introduced and voted as early as Monday. It is critical that as many Southwest pilots as possible reach out to their Representatives quickly.Today, Monday, June 9 is the best day during Eastern Time standard business hours.

3. Can't I write a letter or send an email?
The timeline on this is very short and the power of a personal outreach cannot be overstated. Take a few minutes of your day and help make a positive influence on protecting our careers.

Thanks in advance for your participation and support.

Paul Jackson, Chair
Governmental Affairs Committee
[email protected]

 

[waveflyer]

I wouldn't view this as anything more than a small battle won

Still worth the phone call IMO

 

[SIG600]

It's attached to funding. You can bet the DOT won't fight over their life blood for a foreign carriers application.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

This is the Battle of the Bulge......now let's go get the war over and done with.

I emailed, twittered, and called my Congressman. He must have been getting an earful because the staffer stopped me half way through the speech I had made up and said "We are fully aware and he will support this amendment, and the Congressman appreciates your calling him."

It sounded like they had heard it before.....not the usual two step when you call and all they do is listen and say thanks for your comments.

 

[Freebrd]

Hilarious now that the majors are facing a threat but don't mind what's occurring at the regionals. Crazy industry.

post from FI:

Originally Posted by
And what is the reason that we are still paid poverty level wages at the regionals?
ALPA

Our leader is in bed with management. He is now toast. If we can get a real leader, regional pilot pay should double or more.
The fearless stand of our regional pilots in rejecting pathetic contracts is paving the way to restoring our profession.
Let's keep up the pressure.
30 year Delta captain.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Hilarious now that the majors are facing a threat but don't mind what's occurring at the regionals. Crazy industry.

post from FI:

Originally Posted by
And what is the reason that we are still paid poverty level wages at the regionals?
ALPA

Our leader is in bed with management. He is now toast. If we can get a real leader, regional pilot pay should double or more.
The fearless stand of our regional pilots in rejecting pathetic contracts is paving the way to restoring our profession.
Let's keep up the pressure.
30 year Delta captain.

Do tell what's happening at the regionals.....I am all ears

 

[Freebrd]

Like you don't know....Bill.

 

[Jim]

Hilarious now that the majors are facing a threat but don't mind what's occurring at the regionals. Crazy industry.

post from FI:

Originally Posted by
And what is the reason that we are still paid poverty level wages at the regionals?
ALPA

Our leader is in bed with management. He is now toast. If we can get a real leader, regional pilot pay should double or more.
The fearless stand of our regional pilots in rejecting pathetic contracts is paving the way to restoring our profession.
Let's keep up the pressure.
30 year Delta captain.

I have sympathy for the pilots at regionals but the bottomline is that they/you agreed to work for that wage. If they/you refused, the wages would have to come up.

So while there is blame to be thrown at the majors for past mistakes, the regional pilots share the blame as much as anyone. You're not victims.

 

[nordo_2]

Where was alpa two decades ago when they easily rolled over on scope. That immediately benefitted the select few at the vaunted majors. It is impressive to see moak making impassioned speeches on the hill, and the rest of alpa lobbying like their lives are on the line. Where was alpa on the issue of scope when it came up?

 

[EWR_FO]

fvcking A bubba... good deal. Let's hope the lib senate doesn't pull some crap... the way our government is sold out to big business you never know until the end. But a good sign was the unaminous vote... shows good promise. We'll take this as a victory for now.

tailhookah

This bill was overwhelmingly bipartisan and those that voted to pass it were R and not D. It only has a 28% chance of passing the D controlled Senate and D President. So, this fight is far from over. Check your rep and how they voted for the bill. What we are happy about is an amendment to this bill.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2014/h297#

 

[Freebrd]

I have sympathy for the pilots at regionals but the bottomline is that they/you agreed to work for that wage. If they/you refused, the wages would have to come up.

So while there is blame to be thrown at the majors for past mistakes, the regional pilots share the blame as much as anyone. You're not victims.

True about the wages Jim. We did know and voted/agreed. But now mgt keeps coming back for more and even more concessions, especially at Amer Eagle/Envoy. So three pilot groups have voted NO on TAs and are now losing their (previously yours) flying or possibly being phased out. A good thing if the flying returns to the majors. Hopefully that occurs and many of us can get there. Not looking for sympathy, just pointing out how ALPA has failed many, at the regionals and at the majors.

 

[waveflyer]

Like you don't know....Bill.

Freebrd-

What's one got to do with the other?

I've been as inciteful and aggressive in challenging alpa and individual MEC votes as anyone on this forum and I see NO BENEFIT for ANY pilot, to discounting this battle with NAI.

 

[madjack]

Can you check how your rep voted on a voice vote? Also why would pro labor dems not support ALPA on this issue?

 

[waveflyer]

Can you check how your rep voted on a voice vote? Also why would pro labor dems not support ALPA on this issue?

They probably would but often pilots alienate themselves politically.
We are an enemy to republicans in a highly paid union worker, and dens just don't care BECAUSE WE DONT VOTE FOR THEM!

Imagine that, our vote does have consequences for us...

That said, ALPA's affiliation with the AFL-CIO helps tremendously with dems

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Like you don't know....Bill.

Freebrd.....

I am not sure what the problem is. A regional job was never a career in this business. It was a time builder so a pilot could apply to the major airlines where the big money existed. True or not....

That being said, every large airline is hiring pilots. Every one of them...so get your stuff out there and good luck.

 

[Freebrd]

Thanks Bill, for being civil. Believe me most of us have our stuff out there. Have a good one!

 

[waveflyer]

Freebrd.....

I am not sure what the problem is. A regional job was never a career in this business. It was a time builder so a pilot could apply to the major airlines where the big money existed. True or not....

That being said, every large airline is hiring pilots. Every one of them...so get your stuff out there and good luck.

If you outsource half your domestic flying and go the better part of 10-15 years without hiring bc you have all the new flying away- some pilots will have to make it a career bill.

Look in the mirror a little.

But if you're an RJ pilot- very few will benefit if you try and make it a career.
You'll be starting over at some point- put your stuff out

 

[sstearns2]

If you outsource half your domestic flying and go the better part of 10-15 years without hiring bc you have all the new flying away- some pilots will have to make it a career bill.

Look in the mirror a little.

But if you're an RJ pilot- very few will benefit if you try and make it a career.
You'll be starting over at some point- put your stuff out

The big question of those of us at the regionals and looking to move to a major is scope. Will mainline continue to relax scope? I think YES is the clear answer. Mainline will offer their pilots a 10% raise and 2/3rds will vote to transfer another chunk of good mainline jobs down to the contract carriers. This will happen over and over again and 20 years from now mainline will just mean overseas, wide body, international. Just look at the trend for the last 20 years and project it forward.

30 years ago everyone would have thought it was crazy to think that a regional would fly jets. 20 years ago everyone would have thought it was crazy to think that a regional would be flying 70 seat jets on 1000 NM legs. 10 years ago everyone would have thought it was crazy to think that a regional would be flying an 85,000 lb airplane 1000 NM into Mexico. Today is sounds crazy that a regional would be flying a 110 seat airplane hub to hub.

The E-175s are arriving in mass at the regionals. Why would companies buy all these E-175s when they already operate CRJs of the same capacity? The only answer in my mind if that the plan is for the contract carriers to start flying E-190/195s and for mainline to continue to farm out their domestic/Canada/Mexico/Bahamas/Caribbean and beyond flying.

Scott

 

[waveflyer]

I hope you are wrong....yet...^^^^


Bill- you're part of the biggest offender- refute that^^

 

[sstearns2]

I hope you are wrong....yet...^^^^


^^

I hope I am wrong too. Management has created a system that, by the forces of human nature, will naturally move all of the pilots flying their passengers (and FA's, mechanics, ramp workers, gate agents, etc) from A scale, to B scale, to C scale over the long term. It is working just as intended and I see no reason to think it will not continue.

Scott

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

If you outsource half your domestic flying and go the better part of 10-15 years without hiring bc you have all the new flying away- some pilots will have to make it a career bill.

Look in the mirror a little.

But if you're an RJ pilot- very few will benefit if you try and make it a career.
You'll be starting over at some point- put your stuff out

Wavey,

I was the highest paid pilot in the industry 10 years ago.....we can't live in the past.

We are changing the tides in the other direction, whether you believe it or not, the RJ flying is decreasing and mainline flying is going up and we are hiring as fast as we can train them.

Again....past is past....ad nauseum repeating what is done and over with and currently getting fixed is not worth the ones and zeros your keyboard is puttin out. Life is gettin better for all of us....supply and demand will force the change.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Thanks Bill, for being civil. Believe me most of us have our stuff out there. Have a good one!

You bet.....

Trust me man, somebody will call soon. My airline is panicking publicly (Endeavour pilot screening and hiring plan) and will need lots of people practically yesterday.

Even though I work with a putz , I hope you got it in over here.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

I hope you are wrong....yet...^^^^


Bill- you're part of the biggest offender- refute that^^

I think the lessons learned over the "lost decade" will change behaviors. Why? Not enough pilots.....hell, they can't fill RJ classes even with the crappy pay and work rules now...what would a 110 seat jet do for a regional if they still paid crappy? We do not have a glut of pilots ready to stab around to undercut each other.

The mainline airlines are learning too, they can control the product if they wear the home teams badges. I must admit, I have been on a few contract carriers planes lately and the professionalism and image the crews and planes put out, is impressive. Most of the time it's a better than the Jurassic jets I fly with the cave women we have working in back.

 

[waveflyer]

Very true
Scott, your turn-

We were willing to stay at the Wisconsins and republics of the world bc we were already invested in the career-
Pilots aren't flocking to aviation like they used to for good reason - that drove the past expansion-
Past does not predict future
What say you?

 

[General Lee]

The big question of those of us at the regionals and looking to move to a major is scope. Will mainline continue to relax scope? I think YES is the clear answer. Mainline will offer their pilots a 10% raise and 2/3rds will vote to transfer another chunk of good mainline jobs down to the contract carriers. This will happen over and over again and 20 years from now mainline will just mean overseas, wide body, international. Just look at the trend for the last 20 years and project it forward.

30 years ago everyone would have thought it was crazy to think that a regional would fly jets. 20 years ago everyone would have thought it was crazy to think that a regional would be flying 70 seat jets on 1000 NM legs. 10 years ago everyone would have thought it was crazy to think that a regional would be flying an 85,000 lb airplane 1000 NM into Mexico. Today is sounds crazy that a regional would be flying a 110 seat airplane hub to hub.

The E-175s are arriving in mass at the regionals. Why would companies buy all these E-175s when they already operate CRJs of the same capacity? The only answer in my mind if that the plan is for the contract carriers to start flying E-190/195s and for mainline to continue to farm out their domestic/Canada/Mexico/Bahamas/Caribbean and beyond flying.

Scott

Ummmmm no. The seat numbers for RJs haven't increased since BK. Instead, a couple Majors have acquired smaller mainline planes, like 717s(DL ) and A319s (AA), and have started to take back routes that were unfortunately handed over to the Regionals and are now coming back to the Majors. That's a good thing. I don't see Scope clauses (more seats per plane at the Regionals) decreasing at all during "boom times" either, no need to give concessions. The number of E175s and CR9s has increased somewhat, but 50 seaters are dropping like flies, and fewer 76 seaters are trying to cover for the larger number of 50 seaters departing.

The best advice for Regional pilots: fill out apps for the Majors or LCCs. Hopefully you get an interview and get hired into a better job with higher pay and benefits. Good luck.



Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Freebrd]

Even though I work with a putz

Yeah, sorry about that! Every Co has them.

I hope you got it in over here.

I do.

.

Better times ahead as you state Bill, hopefully for all!

 

[waveflyer]

Thanks to you and tens of thousands of other concerned Americans, NAI's underhanded business scheme to fly into the United States has been slowed down. Now the clock is ticking on the U.S. Department of Transportation to make a decision on NAI’s permit application, and putting pressure on DOT, the White House, and Congress has never been more important and timely.

Congress has recessed for the month of August—dispersing policymakers back to their states and congressional districts to hear directly from their constituents. Therefore, what better time than now to connect with your senators and representative and remind them how crucial it is to Deny NAI!

Tell your members of congress to contact DOT Secretary Foxx and tell him to Deny NAI. Click here to find your representative and click here to find your senators. Call their district offices and tell them to keep up the pressure on DOT to #DenyNAI.

Thank you!