Alaska contract

[msmb]

There is no such thing as a "non starter" .... They may not like or want it but that's why they call it negotiations!

 

[igneousy2]

Can't they just do premium pay trips instead of vsa ...

The difference between a premium trip and VSA is that a premium trip is posted for all to see/pick-up once the trip becomes open. The company has to post it and hold their breath that somebody is going to pick it up. A pilot "picking up VSA" basically puts himself on reserve on his day off for the company. IF a trip becomes availalbe and the company chooses to use the VSA pilot, then the trip is paid at 150%. If the pilot is not assigned a trip, the pilot is paid nothing. The VSA pilot must accept a trip assigned during a period that they voluteered for VSA.

VSA is so damaging to the staffing formula because the company can/does use VSA as a free reserve system. They can staff reserve to the bare bones because they KNOW that on any given day they are going to have a certain number of pilots signed up for VSA. So for every pilot they can count on a day to sign up for VSA, that is 3-4 less pilots the company needs to be on reserve.

You have to truly have no-life to want to volunteer for VSA. I commute, and even though I have days where I am in my base with too little time to go home but enough time too pick up a trip...I would NEVER EVER IMAGINE sitting RESERVE for the company FOR FREE. Premium pick-ups, sure. Nobody is on furlough, knock yourself out. VSA...REALLY...if you are going to volunteer, go volunteer at a soup-kitchen or an animal shelter.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

The difference between a premium trip and VSA is that a premium trip is posted for all to see/pick-up once the trip becomes open. The company has to post it and hold their breath that somebody is going to pick it up. A pilot "picking up VSA" basically puts himself on reserve on his day off for the company. IF a trip becomes availalbe and the company chooses to use the VSA pilot, then the trip is paid at 150%. If the pilot is not assigned a trip, the pilot is paid nothing. The VSA pilot must accept a trip assigned during a period that they voluteered for VSA.

VSA is so damaging to the staffing formula because the company can/does use VSA as a free reserve system. They can staff reserve to the bare bones because they KNOW that on any given day they are going to have a certain number of pilots signed up for VSA. So for every pilot they can count on a day to sign up for VSA, that is 3-4 less pilots the company needs to be on reserve.

You have to truly have no-life to want to volunteer for VSA. I commute, and even though I have days where I am in my base with too little time to go home but enough time too pick up a trip...I would NEVER EVER IMAGINE sitting RESERVE for the company FOR FREE. Premium pick-ups, sure. Nobody is on furlough, knock yourself out. VSA...REALLY...if you are going to volunteer, go volunteer at a soup-kitchen or an animal shelter.

Are you implying that the day someone has signed up for VSA, he is sitting reserve and must report for duty if called out?

 

[Mamma]

I tried VSA once when I saw FO Reserves were low. Since I never tried it I called in to see if I did it right and what my odds were. I was #35 on the list. Never tried that again.

 

[tico]

At least voting" I am against the ALA Contract 2013 Tentative Agreement" was simple this time....what were there, 112 of us last time

 

[Old School 737]

At least voting" I am against the ALA Contract 2013 Tentative Agreement" was simple this time....what were there, 112 of us last time

I think 199!! I am a proud member ! And and on this vote as well !!

 

[Ludicrous Speed]

non-starter... Hah!

From Heywood: I heard from a Capt. "in the know" that management's position on negotiating any scope protection for us was "a non-starter" from day one... no matter what.

If management is telling you your jobs are safe or that they're in it for the long haul or that there are not now - or will be in the future - plans to outsource or contract routes, then writing a scope clause won't cost 'em a dime & logically, becomes a non-issue to write. Remember, if it's worth saying, it's worth putting on paper!

However, if management refuses to address scope or remains silent on future plans...

A strong scope clause is the foundation of a contract. It sure ain't glamorous. In fact, it's downright boring. But without it, your whole contract is weak and at risk! Translated, that means your whole pilot group - including 20 year captains - are at risk!

 

[jonjuan]

Skywest just ordered another 100 E-175s today. They must know something about where they expect to put them.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013...0617?feedType=RSS&feedName=marketsNews&rpc=43

 

[CesnaCaptn]

Skywest just ordered another 100 E-175s today. They must know something about where they expect to put them.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013...0617?feedType=RSS&feedName=marketsNews&rpc=43

I'm not saying none of those will have Eskimos on their tails, but who's to say they won't fly for the 3 big legacies? How old are their oldest CRJ-700s? Maybe some are replacement aircraft too.

 

[rtmcfi]

Between firm orders and options, SkyWest inc now has 600 new 75+ seat airplanes on the way. The Alaska pilots will get what they deserve from this contract vote. Don't get all butt-hurt when the SkyWest airplanes take a whole bunch of flying you currently do. The SkyWest pilots have no say in this. The Alaska pilots do. See you in line at Ivars!