Airlines and Unions

[enigma]

Yeah enigma, "terminate" was the wrong word for me to use. I meant that further discussion would likely end since Astra decided to leave. I don't believe anyone else was arguing his position.

Yeah, now we get to go develop a virtual airline.



enigma

 

[Draginass]

So who won the war?

Management will ultimately win even though profits suffer in the short term. Gives them an excuse to hire cheap labor as replacements. As far as the price of chicken goes, blame the CEOs of Albertson's etc.

Actually, I'm surprised that you still have a Vons and Albertsons. I guess you don't have a Walmart superstore in your area yet. When that gets there, you won't have any other supermarkets after a year or two. You won't have any jobs that pay over $5.50 an hour either, though.

 

[TransMach]

Dragginass,

It is suprising that there still is Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs ... all Local 440, as well as Ranch Market, Gelsons, Smart & Final, COSCO, and Wal*Mart is all over. But everyone I know, regardless if whether they are represented by a union or not, professionals or not, if they have health insurance .. they are paying more and more of the increasing costs.

My gripe is while Local 440 fights over a small increase in health costs being passed on to the employee, my grocery bill is going through the roof!

TransMach

 

[wms]

I know businessmen in conventional businesses that don't understand or like reserves. They don't appreciate the idea of someone getting paid to sit at home. But reservists aren't paid to not work, they are paid to be available. A minimum guaranteed pay is used to keep the company from overloading on reserves and having a lot of pilots sitting around and not getting paid.

In conventional business, coworkers can cover when someone is sick or for some reason can't get to work. In corporate aviation there is no shortage of contract pilots to call upon in a pinch, but 121 requires pilots to be specifically trained by that company which requires reserves.

If the reserve rules for a company are good it will go senior, if they're not it'll be junior. Reserves are necessary because of the nature of the airline business, not the laziness of the pilots. If pilots had the choice there would be no reserves, and we wouldn't have to suffer being on reserve. But that is not possible. So reserves are a harsh reality.

 

[enigma]

Reserves are necessary because of the nature of the airline business, not the laziness of the pilots. If pilots had the choice there would be no reserves, and we wouldn't have to suffer being on reserve. But that is not possible. So reserves are a harsh reality.

wms,

Now you're just clouding everyones perceptions with facts. stop it . stop it.



enigma

 

[AVI1900D]

Do you think that your union rewards those who are the best in the business or do they reward those who have the seniority to hang on during lean economic times regardless of their worth?

I too think that the seniority system sucks. My reason is that I have an uncle who is a chief pilot at a major. They have a couple of thousand guys on furlough. Because of this stupid seniority thing that ALPA started I cant get hired infront of these guys. I also resent the fact that I cant go straight to the left seat of the 747. I am 27 and have a lot more enegy than the old buzzerds flying those airplanes. Hell, I'm even willing to fly the 747 for $20.00/hr. and work 25 days a month. Guess what folks I'm not the only one in this situation, there are hundreds like me out there. Do away with your unions and that unproductive seniority that is costing mgt so much money. WE ARE WAITING.

 

[skydiverdriver]

Astra Guy,
I think I see the problem. It sounds to me like you think that if a senior pilot bids reserve, that this prevents someone who was on reserve from getting a line. Actually, the opposite is true. If I'm on reserve and the top of the reserve list, and some pilot in my category senior to me bids reserve, that means I get a line. I couldn't thank him enough! We have the same number of people on reserve and with lines, and it benefits junior people if a more senior lineholder bids reserve for whatever reason.

I hope this helps you.