BIG announcement at SkyWest

[SKYW Pilot]

You are pissed that a guy wants to have a 1 hr food break for the crew when they are running behind after a 12 hr+ duty day!!!!

I will do the same for my crew....I have done it....and will keep doing it, and not once has anyone questioned me on it!!!

Remember @ssclown.....our FA's are not allowed to eat in front of the pax!

If you need a break, take it, of course. I make sure my crew knows I'll take a break if they want to. I also tell my FA that if they packed their lunch, to feel free to eat during the flight. If anybody gives her/him any trouble, then they can talk to me. Never had anybody question me about it.

The snacks are a good thing, but airport food is expensive and sucks. I pack my own stuff.

Oh, and thanks dispatch for all your work you do. We know life has probably been hell since de-peaking. It has online, too. Some of us appreciate the juggling act you do every day.

 

[Super Monkey]

If you need a break, take it, of course. I make sure my crew knows I'll take a break if they want to. I also tell my FA that if they packed their lunch, to feel free to eat during the flight. If anybody gives her/him any trouble, then they can talk to me. Never had anybody question me about it.

The snacks are a good thing, but airport food is expensive and sucks. I pack my own stuff.

Oh, and thanks dispatch for all your work you do. We know life has probably been hell since de-peaking. It has online, too. Some of us appreciate the juggling act you do every day.

Exactly. Just to shed some light here at SkyW...we, the captains, don't get in any trouble whatsoever in taking a delay to get food. This is just a nice jestor by the company. Take your bird seed...I mean the crew snack on leg 2, then take your delay...I mean crew meal on leg 4!

 

["GO AROUND"]

I'll remember that when I'm coordinating SFO or LAX, thanks for making my job harder when all I do all day is making your day easier! F*cking @ssclown!

Yet I could add up all the minutes that I have been delayed because my dispatcher has stepped out for a smoke, a bite to eat or bathroom break and it would be 10 times the time I have taken for crew meals.

Goes something like this:
"Your dispatcher has stepped out <insert one of the above reasons> can I help?"
"Yeah, I need to remove a dml, add gas, change alternate, etc..."
"Sorry, I can't do that. Can you call back in 20 minutes? They should be back by then."
20 minutes go by:
"Sorry, they are still not at their desk can you call back?"
"Sure, it's departure time, I'll call back in 20 minutes. We can be delayed or you can have someone find them or someone who can help me leave on time."

It goes both ways, A$$ clown!!!!!

 

[outtahere]

Boy just think of the meal you guys will get when you start flying 737's for 50 seat pay. You may get granola AND sunflower seeds!

 

[outtahere]

But seriously, I truly hope you Skywest guys and gals get your act together and get a union on the property, any union. If this keeps up we will all be working for food, and our pay will be based on performance only. In other words when yall fly those 900's through ATL there will be no pay.

 

[Magneto]

But seriously, I truly hope you Skywest guys and gals get your act together and get a union on the property, any union. If this keeps up we will all be working for food, and our pay will be based on performance only. In other words when yall fly those 900's through ATL there will be no pay.

We want something other than SAPA on property but I personally am not really impressed with ALPA.

All I can say is all our eyes are on ASA ALPA and it's not looking so pretty. ALPA needs to show me why they would make things better at SKYW.

 

[atrdriver]

We want something other than SAPA on property but I personally am not really impressed with ALPA.

All I can say is all our eyes are on ASA ALPA and it's not looking so pretty. ALPA needs to show me why they would make things better at SKYW.

Well, with a union that LOA that you had to fly the 70's and 90's for 50 seat pay that was only supposed to last 18 months would have been renegotiated, instead of just having JA refuse to talk to the SAPA about it. That would certainly be one advantage of having a union on the property.

 

[SkyNation]

Well, with a union that LOA that you had to fly the 70's and 90's for 50 seat pay that was only supposed to last 18 months would have been renegotiated, instead of just having JA refuse to talk to the SAPA about it. That would certainly be one advantage of having a union on the property.

wow, so if we were ALPA they would have guaranteed us that we'd have gotten more in negotiations? is that how it works at ASA, or anywhere for that matter?

or would it be more correct to assume that if we had ALPA that the negotiations would have resulted in the same thing, just like everywhere else?

the idea that ALPA can walk in to negotiations, DEMAND higher pay and get it is a fantasy. they just negotiate, and JA or any other CEO can still say no.

until something better comes along, I'll save my 2% since we're getting the same or better results (all things considered) than anyone else.

a wise man once said "don't burn someone's house down unless you can build them a better one." I don't see ALPA represented ASA pilots in a better 'house' than the one I'm in.

 

[Blucher]

We want something other than SAPA on property but I personally am not really impressed with ALPA.

All I can say is all our eyes are on ASA ALPA and it's not looking so pretty. ALPA needs to show me why they would make things better at SKYW.

Magneto,

This is perhaps the most important post I've read in a long, long time. As far as I'm concerned this is THE reason ASA "negotiations" are so effed up. JA doesn't want another union and he knows his other pilot group is watching very closely. I also have some issues with ALPA National, and can understand where you are coming from. It's like a presidential election, either way you picking the lesser of two evils. However, I think JA's decision to essentially bend you guys over with the 70-rate is reason enough to get a union on property (any union). To think that type of decision won't be made again in the future is dangerously naive. I also believe it was a huge mistake for JA to make that particular decision. Would having ALPA there fix the issue? I really don't know for sure. ASA's management has made an art form out of reinterpretting our contract. We even had a former CP blatantly lie (under oath) on the stand during a hearing which caused us to lose an essentially un-loseable debate. We also currently have CP's who will sit there and lie to your face about elements of our current contract. It sure would be nice to put the brakes on this whipsaw though. If we don't do something to come together, and soon, we're all going to go the way of the blue juice.

-Blucher

 

[airchristyle]

I read the announcement too, but I have a question: Is this free to all crews flying through SFO? If not, how much does it cost?

It is free, not only through SFO but LAX as well. It's one of those lunch boxes you get when you're on a 3 hr. United Flight. Just let the rampers know, they'll hook you up.

 

[GuppyWN]

I would NEVER delay a flight for an hour to "sit down and have a relaxing meal with my crew." There's time on a turn for one pilot to run off and grab something for the crew.

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk but just get through the day trying to make up for any delays you've had - not trying to create more. Think about what you're doing to your passengers and the crew taking your jet from you an extra hour late because you wanted a relaxing meal. Bust a$$ and have a nice meal with your crew at the hotel that evening.

Gup

 

[legalalien]

Well Gup, that is fine in theory if your FA's are allowed to eat in front of the pax, ours aren't. So either we all eat or just the pilots eat, with the culture at SWA I would assume that you agree that the whole crew should eat.

I even have to tell my FA to let us know when they need to eat since they can get into trouble for delaying a flight (even if they haven't eaten in 8 hours). We then all get off the plane and tell our ops that the delay is due to the pilots having to eat. It's a Sh!t system but its all we have to work with here at ASA.

 

[atrdriver]

wow, so if we were ALPA they would have guaranteed us that we'd have gotten more in negotiations? is that how it works at ASA, or anywhere for that matter?

or would it be more correct to assume that if we had ALPA that the negotiations would have resulted in the same thing, just like everywhere else?

the idea that ALPA can walk in to negotiations, DEMAND higher pay and get it is a fantasy. they just negotiate, and JA or any other CEO can still say no.

until something better comes along, I'll save my 2% since we're getting the same or better results (all things considered) than anyone else.

a wise man once said "don't burn someone's house down unless you can build them a better one." I don't see ALPA represented ASA pilots in a better 'house' than the one I'm in.

I didn't say that ALPA could get you more. I said that with a union there is a legal remedy for the company not honoring it's word. With what you have now there is not. JA has no reason to renegotiate that LOA, so he won't until it benefits him.

 

[sweptback]

wow, so if we were ALPA they would have guaranteed us that we'd have gotten more in negotiations? is that how it works at ASA, or anywhere for that matter?

or would it be more correct to assume that if we had ALPA that the negotiations would have resulted in the same thing, just like everywhere else?

the idea that ALPA can walk in to negotiations, DEMAND higher pay and get it is a fantasy. they just negotiate, and JA or any other CEO can still say no.

until something better comes along, I'll save my 2% since we're getting the same or better results (all things considered) than anyone else.

a wise man once said "don't burn someone's house down unless you can build them a better one." I don't see ALPA represented ASA pilots in a better 'house' than the one I'm in.

ALPA would not have guaranteed that you would get a pay raise after the 18 months was up. You are quite ignorant if you believe that.

However, ALPA would have guaranteed that you would have had the chance to renegotiate after 18 months. As for what ALPA asks for in negotiations, that is directed by what your pilot group tells your MEC to do.

You guys don't even have the chance to negotiate with your company, whether it be for more pay, better work rules, scheduling improvements, whatever you want, and that's sad. What's worse is that some are actually happy about not having a voice.

 

[Blucher]

I would NEVER delay a flight for an hour to "sit down and have a relaxing meal with my crew." There's time on a turn for one pilot to run off and grab something for the crew.

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk but just get through the day trying to make up for any delays you've had - not trying to create more. Think about what you're doing to your passengers and the crew taking your jet from you an extra hour late because you wanted a relaxing meal. Bust a$$ and have a nice meal with your crew at the hotel that evening.

Gup

Agreed in theory. This is how I believe most of us would like operate. For some it's considered going above and beyond to get the job done. For most pilots I would say it is second nature to operate that way. Goal oriented, highly motivated people (mostly). However, ASA management has systematically destroyed any incentive for it's pilot/FA groups to do this. It is a very sad story about an abusive management not seeing the bigger picture and doing the 'wrong' thing over and over and over again. There is a reason so many people want to work where you do, and it mostly stems from your managment's current and past practices. Why do you think so many other airlines beg their managements to be more like Southwest's? We want to do the right thing, and most of the time we do. However, at Southwest you get recognized and rewarded for you efforts, while at ASA we get into trouble for thinking outside the box to get the job done. Again, this is most depressing because we do have a great group of people working on the front lines for us daily. Our operation makes money despite management, not because of it.

-Blucher:bawling:

 

[GuppyWN]

Sorry to hear that guys. You have to play with the rule book you're given. What's for lunch? I'm thinking something outside of security. :laugh:

Gup

 

[SSDD]

So why are you projecting your $hitty management on Skywest? From what I read here most of you guys would rather burn the place down than continue with things as they are, that's sad.

ASA must be a real crappy place to work!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad that's not the way it is at Skywest...it could change...but it hasn't in all the time that I've been here.

Stock grants are appreciated. Free lunch is appreciated. No one gets fired if they have to stop for 20 or 30 minutes to grab a bite.

 

[SkyNation]

ALPA would not have guaranteed that you would get a pay raise after the 18 months was up. You are quite ignorant if you believe that.

Right! of course I don't believe that, it's called 'sarcasm.'

However, ALPA would have guaranteed that you would have had the chance to renegotiate after 18 months. As for what ALPA asks for in negotiations, that is directed by what your pilot group tells your MEC to do.

We did get a chance to renegotiate. SAPA was told NO just like lots of MECs are told NO at the baragaining table. Sure it sucks, but not any worse than anywhere else, and we don't pay 2% for it.

You guys don't even have the chance to negotiate with your company, whether it be for more pay, better work rules, scheduling improvements, whatever you want, and that's sad. What's worse is that some are actually happy about not having a voice.

Wrong again. That stuff is negotiated all the time. Naturally we don't always get what we want, but who does? The problem is people who believe in some fantasy that ALPA can come in and demand those things. I've said it before, I'll say it again: I feel I have it better here at SkyWest than my counterparts at any regional in terms of QOL, pay, benefits, etc. I'll make a little over 50K this year on 2nd year FO pay, I've had most weekends off, I had last Thanksgiving off, just got my discounted stock that I sold for a profit, soon will get a (small) performance rewards check, and on and on...

No place is perfect, but we are adding flying, people are generally happy and optimistic (not on this forum, notoriously the place where the very vocal minority comes to gripe), and I really enjoy working here. Can you say that about your airline? I sincerely hope you can, and if you can't, I'd recommend you look elsewhere OR look for a better way of doing things.

 

[Willy21]

No place is perfect, but we are adding flying, people are generally happy and optimistic (not on this forum, notoriously the place where the very vocal minority comes to gripe), and I really enjoy working here. Can you say that about your airline? I sincerely hope you can, and if you can't, I'd recommend you look elsewhere OR look for a better way of doing things.

The sad thing is that most of the pilots at ASA care about the company. They like their jobs and want to see it get better. ASA can be a good airline if some things get fixed. When Skywest bought us I had hopes that SGU would clean house and turn our operation around. Almost a year later that hasn't happened.

I am glad that you think that Skywest is a good job for you. On average you guys have a good thing going. What would be sad is to see you guys loose that without a say in the matter. I think Skywest pilots need to get what they have now in writting, ie a CBA, so that you won't have to go through what Comair, Mesaba, Express Jet and Air Whisky are either going through or have been through. Don't let your current situation blind you from what may be around the corner.

 

[reno]

in other words, SkyWest Pilots, if you havn't already registered, do so now!

www.skywestalpa.org

 

[av8er2]

You get these thing when you don't have alpa causing problems. Take a look ASA you could get crewmeals too.

No you get these because it is the right thing to do and how company should treat a crews. When there is no time for a break with the crazy airline schedules it is the right way to treat people.

ASA just doesn't get it.

 

[SkyNation]

I think Skywest pilots need to get what they have now in writting, ie a CBA, so that you won't have to go through what Comair, Mesaba, Express Jet and Air Whisky are either going through or have been through. Don't let your current situation blind you from what may be around the corner.

you lost me on that one, aren't all of them ALPA? if so, then what did they 'go through' or not go through thanks to ALPA?

like I said, things here aren't perfect, but for me I'm happy and I think SkyWest does as good or better than anyone else in helping me to be so.

thanks for the reminder, Reno. some ALPA cheerleader has already registered my name for me, without my permission.

 

[atrdriver]

you lost me on that one, aren't all of them ALPA? if so, then what did they 'go through' or not go through thanks to ALPA?

like I said, things here aren't perfect, but for me I'm happy and I think SkyWest does as good or better than anyone else in helping me to be so.

It was merely being pointed out that those carriers had to go to court to get a change made to their CBA's. JA would not have to do any such thing to change your working agreement. What you have now is not legally enforcable. At least with a union of some kind you have a fighting chance to prevent the company from changing what you have on a whim. Just because it has not happened yet does not mean that it will not happen in the future. It had not happened in the past to any of those pilot groups either.

 

[homerjdispatch]

thanks for the reminder, Reno. some ALPA cheerleader has already registered my name for me, without my permission.

I have talked to quite a few SKYW pilots that this has happened to. Seems someone at SKYW sent ALPA a lot of names and addresses WITHOUT the individuals consent. Does this suprise anyone? Not me.

 

[capt. megadeth]

If we are running behind on a 16 hr duty day and have not had a meal break after 10 hrs on duty because we lost our meal break due to flow, management is asking us to pound some free junk food on the run so we dont take a crew meal break (delay).


HA! EFF them and their precious schedule, and at the cost of a proper meal!


I will shut the plane down and stroll into the terminal and have a 1 hr sit down relaxing dinner with my crew, and the flight is already 3 hrs late, Ive done it many times and would relish in doing it again and again!

-Goo

Yes....that will show them! I'm sure your crew just loves you for that

Do you write stuff up to "just to pi$$ em off"?

 

[capt. megadeth]

Tomclit

For the sake of your own sanity, unless it's already gone, please get a job as the night manager at a nearby Burger King. You clearly don't have the patience or aptitude for the airlines.

HA HA HA! My sentiments exactly!

 

[Willy21]

you lost me on that one, aren't all of them ALPA? if so, then what did they 'go through' or not go through thanks to ALPA?

The point is you need to have a voice in what happens to your job and your company. What is going to happen when Jerry is gone and it is no longer the Atkin family running things. Are you going to trust your Ron Weber? I also said nothing about ALPA, it is what we have at ASA and I spend my time trying to make my voice heard through ALPA. Sometimes you have to play with the hand you were delt and I am fine with the hand I currently have.

SkyWest is still a family run business. From somebody that has watched a family run business, ie Delta, be turned into a revolving door management team that looks out for only their interests I am telling you that you need to have a CBA to protect what you have at the present time. It could be ALPA, it could be Teamsters it could be an in house union. Point is until the courts recognize you contract you will be at the mercy of management.

 

[TCBKING]

If we are running behind on a 16 hr duty day and have not had a meal break after 10 hrs on duty because we lost our meal break due to flow, management is asking us to pound some free junk food on the run so we dont take a crew meal break (delay).


HA! EFF them and their precious schedule, and at the cost of a proper meal!


I will shut the plane down and stroll into the terminal and have a 1 hr sit down relaxing dinner with my crew, and the flight is already 3 hrs late, Ive done it many times and would relish in doing it again and again!

-Goo

Ill bet you work for MESA..

 

[SkyNation]

Willy21

I hear ya. I don't necessarily disagree. just not convinced on ALPA.

 

[rtmcfi]

Willy21

I hear ya. I don't necessarily disagree. just not convinced on ALPA.

If the OO folks vote in ALPA, the OO folks will also vote in the local ALPA reps. If you think the SAPA folks are doing a good job, there is no reason you couldn't vote them in as your ALPA reps.

Would you trust ALPA if the local reps were comprised entirely of the current SAPA reps?