ACA TA! I voted NO!

[CRJ_Driver]

While there is no TA, I will 99% vote NO.

As an FO, I can't live alone on the $ I make let alone take the proper financial steps to live a sound future right NOW. How will this change with a pay cut? We will all have to remember the MESA contract provision which states, "No Mesa pilot will wear his uniform while presenting food stamps to purchase meals".

Secondly, I am a professional. There is a marginal chance of flying airplanes in the future for a high dollar amount using your "regional experience" as interviewing leverage.

Consider:

If MESA pilots want busdriver pay....FINE. I will not ride GreyHound which might I add, their Union just approved a TA where Year 2 pay for the 50 seat bus is just under 47.00 an hour. I think I will get my Class A license.

As a business decision, I will vote NO. Why would you do that to yourself?


Any comments?

 

[CRJ_Driver]

Corrections

Greyhound - I will ride Greyhound.

A senior VP also resigned at ACA. Why do you think he did that?

 

[g159av8tor]

Unless our TA is giving up stupid stuff like our dry cleaning allowance and headset reimbursement, I WILL vote NO.

I understand our MEC had to do something due to politics, but this negotiating, IMHO, is a jesture of good will to the Company. I can think of another jesture:

=ll==
He11, I've already given up soda, ice and snacks on my airplane--what the f*ck else can I give?

Tailwinds...

 

[jetdriven]

We will all have to remember the MESA contract provision which states, "No Mesa pilot will wear his uniform while presenting food stamps to purchase meals".

you ignorant ass. there is no such language in our contract.

which ever way you vote be prepared to live with it.

 

[sideshow]

CRJ Driver, nobody gives a rats a$$ what you think. Quit your whining, the industry has been changed forever and ACA so far has been sheltered by getting a fat paycheck every month from United. Our operation is a joke that burns through money on a daily basis because up until now, it has not mattered. I am sick of going into the crew room and hearing nothing but whining from so called professionals that spend all there time trying to get paid double for work they haven't even done because the company supposedly screwed them.

Why don't you just shut the hell up till you see the formal presentation!!

 

[Cappy]

I agree with sideshow.

Chill out and deal with the facts at hand. Regardless of what you think of the Mesa TA, ACA will continue to profit regardless of any concessions offered or not. The reason management wants to lower costs is to maintain a high enough profit margin, at least 8%, so as to obtain the best financing for the the CRJ-700's that we hope to obtain the major share of.

Does it suck that all airlines are cutting and slashing our (pilot's) pay/benefits? No doubt! But I have seen much worse happen at other airlines during the 80's and early 90's.

Personally, I would really have to see a presentation that explained in detail how much pain management is going to share. If management is unwilling to give up huge amounts, it tells me that there is no reason why we should offer concessions at all.

As for the Mesa pilots TA. The Mesa pilots negotiated scope...and nothing else. I do not blame them for that. I do not, however like the use of them as "industry standard"...that is a real insult.

Lets just remember who is on the negotiating committee here. If you know any of the gentlemen then you are aware of their contempt for management. Should the current negotiating committee come back with and recommend any concessions, I would tend to believe them above others. Remember, they have to work under whatever they negotiate and we potentially pass.

My $.02

_______________________________________________

"It takes a big man to cry. It takes a bigger man to laugh at that man".

 

[WhiteCloud]

you ignorant ass. there is no such language in our contract.

which ever way you vote be prepared to live with it.

There was a thread a while ago that said the same thing. It claimed it was some kind of company memo and not the contract. Even if it isn't true it sounded good.

 

[greyhound]

I work for greyhound!

But I wish I made $47.00 an hour.
It's more like $19.80 and since we normally drive about 40 hours a week, it comes out to about $32,000 per year . That's year one.
If Mesa would settle for busdriver pay, they would actually improve.

 

[skypine69]

Do you have trips like pilots do or do you start in a city and drive 4 hours and then turn around and come back so you are home every nite? I am not trying to start a fight, I am just curious how the bus world works!
Thanks for the info

 

[WhiteCloud]

Do you have trips like pilots do or do you start in a city and drive 4 hours and then turn around and come back so you are home every nite? I am not trying to start a fight, I am just curious how the bus world works!
Thanks for the info

I think a lot of us here would like/need to know how it works too. Where do we apply?

 

[Beantown]

Re: I work for greyhound!

.
If Mesa would settle for busdriver pay, they would actually improve.

And so would EVERY REGIONAL IN THE COUNTRY including Comair and air Wisky! What's your point? We all get paid like sh!t year one. -Bean

 

[Capt America]

yes but some of us try to make positive changes. Others settle for less out of fear.

Thats not right

 

[greyhound]

skypine69 &ziggy1

To answer your question.
Their are trips that go out and back every day, but you also have your usual drive for 8 to 10 hours, go to the hotel, and return the next day type of trips. It is not a cross-country driving job like most people think. I am rarely away for more than 2 days.
I don't know if I would recommend this place as a career, but I would only be giving you my opinion. Some people stay here long term.
I'm based in Ca. so I don't go out farther than a 450 mile radius before getting turned back to my base. We bid 4 times a year.
I'm currently on reserve so I don't have any set hours or days off.
But I can request any days I want to be off. Just call dispatch, tell them you are not available for the next 12-24 or 48 hours, and you won't get a call. I will miss that kind of flexability when I leave.

BEANTOWN.
The only reason I brought up Mesa, is because it was brought up on earlier replies. You are correct, all regionals would improve if they settled for Greyhound pay. I was not trying to make a point.

 

[House_X]

I doubt the concessions are for 700's. No matter what happens, mesa and other carriers can fly them cheaper than we can...also remember that mesa is already flying 700's as well. I don't see any incentive for United to allow us to fly 700's.

We better face the facts...if we want to start making serious money we have to go out there and do it ourselves. The days of getting fat checks from the majors are gone.

We have a great pilot group and I think many in the company would feel proud to fly ACA jets painted in our own colors. We have a great product...with the right marketing and "BRANDING" we can be successful.

House

 

[DBacks]

I hope this doesn't turn into another "Anyone know if Burger King is hiring? What are their mins?" thread.......

I think a lot of us here would like/need to know how it works too. Where do we apply?

 

[Capt America]

What!!!
Burger King is hiring.....where do I send my resume.

 

[Lancair]

Going it on our own.

I would love to think that ACA would make it on its own. Mama always said don't put all your eggs in one basket. Well that's what we did with United.

My only concern is the niche in wich ACA wants to fill. Tom Moore wants us to be a regional low cost airlines. The Southwest of the Regionals. I just don't know if that can be done. He even stated at his Roadshow we have the wrong planes to start it with. So maybe 70 seaters who knows. Maybe there is a market for the Low cost regional carrier and we'll become the leader to find it. I know if that happens I'll lose my job for now. I just have some serios doubts about were ACA sees itself as its own airline.

 

[jetdriven]

read the 8-k yourself. ACAI will probably be unable to exist if United folds.

 

[Lancair]

I certainly don't think that ACAI will go under if United Packs it in. I just don't agree with their buisness model for operating on their own. It will take a major effort to go it on their own but I don't think that will be the end of ACA. The market for Regional Jets is to good to just fold becuase United doesn't survive.

 

[jetdriven]

read one of the last 8-K's for yourself. If UAL ceases operations then ACAI will quickly ha ve to find another codeshare partner, there WILL be an interruption of service, and if they are unable to find a codeshare partner fast then the company will not survive.