Re: flyndesk
Thunderchief said:
Where did you get your info on 1st year FO's going to 2nd year pay, I couldn't find that written in any of the Union letters or phone messages. It's not that I don't trust you, I just would like to hear it from the MEC. It's kinda a big pay difference, and effects a lot of ATA's pilots right now. I know they're still discussing it with management but I'd like a reassurance straight from the horses' mouth, ya know?
-TC
That's because there is nothing set as far as concesions, pay freezes, etc. The MEC has sent the negotiating committee to begin talks with management on those issues. I spoke personally with four of the elected reps at the MEC meeting, and the idea of coughing up anything significant to management, let alone boning the new hires with first year pay, is probably a non-starter.
The company's financial state has not changed significantly in the past ten years (according to the ALPA financial analysts) so the fact that management is spinning what, until two weeks ago was 'clear sailing' into dire financial straits, is questionable propaganda at best, and outright manipulation at worst.
Based on somewhat limited information, I see management attempting to change the fleet structure from large aircraft to a more balanced mix of large and small aircraft. My serious concern is that George plans to show us the carrot of new, additional aircraft, only to smack us with the stick later when he deals away the 737 fleet. We are stuck with extremely onerous lease terms on the 737's from the Tague era, and George serves three functions in replacing them with 717's. First, he lowers capacity with a smaller aircraft which will fit some of our smaller cities better (PIT, CLT, and off peak MSP, PHL, DEN, and LGA). Next, he gets half the pilot group on a lower payscale for the new aircraft. Lastly, he can negotiate much more reasonable lease terms with Boeing on the 717's, which Boeing is just trying to dump so they can close out the line with fewer losses.
Whatever happens, its going to be fairly ugly, since the pilot group can't seem to look beyond propaganda to get a glimpse of the truth and historical perspective.