ASA Strike Preparedness

[Snapperhead]

Dude and Realyman,

With all due respect, you both make really ignorant observations. First off, ASA needs a better contract in all sections...and we're going to get it the hard way (negotiations after 2 yrs), or the ugly way (which no one wants, but we're willing to do what it takes). Second, to bash someone for getting hired into the jet is just stupid. How does anyone have any control over that? If you go down that road then how about comparing yourself to a Beech 1900/Jetstream 32 driver that has no flight attendant or autopilot. Look, there's no doubt that we need a new contract. We should be able to put beans on the table for our family. What we really need is to become a unified pilot group right now. Lets stop fighting with each other, because it's not doing any good.

Regards,
Snapperhead

 

[Realyman]

Dude,

I am happy to reply. Yes, I did fly the E120, typed in it. Also the ATR at Eagle before I came to ASA as a junior manned captain. (All this will give away my identity to my ASA buds!!! Who cares)

All I ever wanted to do was fly...Got my private at 17 before my senior year of high school started.

Started Eagle at 22 (thought I was ahead of the game), the day I graduated college and yes I missed my commencement.

Jumped ship to ASA for the upgrade...got it...got displaced 18 months later, with enough PIC to apply to SWA. Big Deal!!!

I am the first and only pilot in my family, in case you think I was handed this career.

Last year I realized instead of waiting for a major to hire me and make $$$, I can control it myself!! So I did... sorry but that is my reality and it works. Anyone want info let me know..

L8r...I should be sleeping since I did 4 legs (1 was a DH), 12 hour duty day.

 

[601Pilot]

Get Real!

Realyman,

If you make more outside of ASA, why would you not be in favor of a strike?
I'm in the same situation as you, but I'm definitely in favor of a strike if
management continues with their feet-dragging and contract violations.
I don't know about you, but I could use a 2 or 3 month vacation. I don't
think it will come to that since DAL could not handle a 3 month strike by ASA
right now. Hopefully, the entire management team realizes this also.

 

[Sam Fisher]

Realyman,

If you make more outside of ASA, why would you not be in favor of a strike?
I'm in the same situation as you, but I'm definitely in favor of a strike if
management continues with their feet-dragging and contract violations.
I don't know about you, but I could use a 2 or 3 month vacation. I don't
think it will come to that since DAL could not handle a 3 month strike by ASA
right now. Hopefully, the entire management team realizes this also.

You can be in favor of a strike all day long but if the NMB doesn't release you to a cooling-off period, it is all a moot point. Anyone curious how "pro labor" the current NMB is? We are finding the answer out the hard way over at XJT, just as you guys at ASA will.

Sam

 

[Palerider957]

Realyman,

If you make more outside of ASA, why would you not be in favor of a strike?
I'm in the same situation as you, but I'm definitely in favor of a strike if
management continues with their feet-dragging and contract violations.
I don't know about you, but I could use a 2 or 3 month vacation. I don't
think it will come to that since DAL could not handle a 3 month strike by ASA
right now. Hopefully, the entire management team realizes this also.

BINGO! I sure wouldn't mind having the holidays off while making more money on my side gig. It would actually let me focus more without those pesky crew schedulers calling my house!

Strike it is, I'm ready, willing and able........if you have a decent side gig, you really have little to lose.

 

[701EV]

Realyman must be one of those types of people who can't see the forest for the trees.

One day he will wake up and smell the coffee.

701EV

 

[Realyman]

I actually LIKE coming into work. Sure it can be a drag sometimes, but remember when we all started and thought it would be great to fly that Piper Navajo because it was such a cool plane...then when we got in that and we looked at turboprops...then jets....

It all wears off, but I still have a good amount of excitement in me towards my job.

True, I am bidding reserve next month (even though we don't have a reserve system) because the last time I did I hardly flew....and could do more side gig stuff.

I guess you don't like your job flying if you feel that you have little to lose by striking and losing your job completely. Good luck, I wish folk like you would quit & move me up the chain so I can hold captain again!!!

Or go to AirTorch...

 

[regionalcap]

True, I am bidding reserve next month (even though we don't have a reserve system) because the last time I did I hardly flew....and could do more side gig stuff.

This is exactly one of the places where we need to make changes to our current contract.

 

[Realyman]

True that!

 

[ifly4food]

ASA management needs to understand that this pilot group will only be pushed so far.

Contract reinterpretations, "Airport Standby reserve", extensions, SP 402, docking guarantee when you drop a trip below 75 hours, "philosophically opposed" to commuter policy, V1 pilot bashing, the list goes on.

Now we as a pilot group need to prepare to fight back. We either get a contract that fixes this crap or roll over and become the next Mesa.

I choose to fight.

 

[regionalcap]

Realyman,
Glad to see we agree on something. Listen, I was a lot like you when we first started negotiations. I was pretty happy with our current contract. I wish you would just take the time to read some of the updates on negotiations and I think you will have a different perspective. You asked earlier what are some of the things that the company is trying to take away from us. I'll give you an example. They want to increase our time to be able to use sick leave, do away with lost block for vacations, decrease rest requirements for training and pay. Just to name a few. We have been negotiating for 2 years and have hardly even touched the bigger issues. How many years should we negotiate? There are a lot of language issues with our current contract. Are you aware that grievances filed for contract violations have increased 150% in only two years? Look at how much more Comair gets in their contract. Don't we deserve at least that? Some other carriers have things like the following: minimum 11 or 12 days off, higher guarantee, no integration, trip/duty rigs, actual reserve schedueles, 12 hour reserve callout, commuter clause, higher pay scales. I honestly hope it doesn't come down to a strike. I hope that is going to be a last resort.

 

[Sam Fisher]

... docking guarantee when you drop a trip below 75 hours,

Are you saying that if you personal drop a trip below your guarantee (75 hours), that you should still get paid 75 hours?

Sam

 

[atrdriver]

No, he's saying that if we have a line blocked to 40 hours, and we make a day for day swap, that our guarantee shouldn't be docked. We can't just drop trips, even for less pay. But lately the company has been docking pilots for swapping a 3 hour nap for a 2 hour nap, when either way we would be below guarantee, and either way our total days off doesn't change...

atrdriver

 

[sleepy]

Mary,

Is that you?

Larson? LOL!

 

[Sam Fisher]

No, he's saying that if we have a line blocked to 40 hours, and we make a day for day swap, that our guarantee shouldn't be docked. We can't just drop trips, even for less pay. But lately the company has been docking pilots for swapping a 3 hour nap for a 2 hour nap, when either way we would be below guarantee, and either way our total days off doesn't change...

atrdriver

Sorry, but it sounds to me that the company is doing the same thing that most companies do. Seems pretty straightforward. That is how it happens at XJT.

Sam