BL's Weekly Update....

[shamrock]

The smart thing to do is to listen to BOTH sides and find the truth somewhere in the middle.....

Unless, of course, one of the "sides" is an evil Union that is responsible for all that is wrong with the airline industry. Then you just turn any discussion, regardless of subject, into a platform for your already well documented opinions of that Union.

 

[ASACRJFlyer]

Well said, Shamrock...

Any thread that tries to unite the pilots, give us a place to vent and documents the NUMEROUS examples of how this management has a total disregard for its employee group brings Joe Merchant, spouting his anti-ALPA rhetoric and beating his dead horse to even further into the grave.

If you don't like ALPA national, then how about getting on board with the rest of the pilots here at ASA and doing what it takes to make our management realize that release or no release, we won't put up with this poor treatment any longer? Can you imagine if every ASA captain wrote up every LEGAL mtx descrepancy and taxied at an extremely "safe" but legal speed? We wouldn't need the NMB to release us because management would be begging to sign a contract. This wouldn't have worked in the past because we would just be replaced but now no other regional can cover our flying since they can barely cover their own.

With Joe, I know the answer. He's already well known for being in bed with management. He, LJ and his "coalition" would sell out the rest of the pilot group for their own gain. I would imagine Joe would be the type to scab if it ever came to that. So the real question is what about the rest of our pilots?

 

[JoeMerchant]

Unless, of course, one of the "sides" is an evil Union that is responsible for all that is wrong with the airline industry. Then you just turn any discussion, regardless of subject, into a platform for your already well documented opinions of that Union.

I never said that ALPA was "evil", nor have I said that ALPA is responsible for all that is wrong with the airline industry. Not that you probably care what I really said, but here it goes again...

1. ALPA isn't "evil", rather it is ineffective at combating managements portfolio whipsaw tactics. If any of you are really interested in stopping the "race to the bottom", then you will need to reform ALPA.

2. ALPA isn't "responsible for all that is wrong with the airline industry". The 5 main causes of our current predicament are:

a. The Deregulation Act of 1978 signed by Jimmy Carter.

b. The rapidly increasing cost of health care and retirement due to increasing longevity and health advances.

c. The attacks of 911.

d. Bankruptcy laws that allowed weak carriers to bring healthy carriers down.

e. Competition for flying within a brand (ie portfolio concept)

ALPA isn't "responsible" for the first 4 events, however it has reacted poorly to these changes. ALPA is partially responsible for the 5th. and has in fact made it worse with creations such as MidAtlantic, Compass, etc.

The important thing is to listen to both sides, and make informed decisions based on the facts that are presented. Blindly following either side off a cliff based on pure emotion is foolish....

 

[JoeMerchant]

If you don't like ALPA national, then how about getting on board with the rest of the pilots here at ASA and doing what it takes to make our management realize that release or no release, we won't put up with this poor treatment any longer? Can you imagine if every ASA captain wrote up every LEGAL mtx descrepancy and taxied at an extremely "safe" but legal speed? We wouldn't need the NMB to release us because management would be begging to sign a contract. This wouldn't have worked in the past because we would just be replaced but now no other regional can cover our flying since they can barely cover their own.

Let me ask you ASACRJFlyer.... who do you mean when you say "make our management realize that release or no release, we won't put up with this poor treatment any longer?"

Do you mean ASA managment? Do you mean Skywest management? Do you mean Delta management?

Which management team do you think is making the decisions here? Do really think it is ASA management?

Answer those questions and then we can debate the rest of your post....

 

[ASACRJFlyer]

Does it matter??? Let's say it is not our sorry excuse for leadership at ASA but either Skywest or Delta calling the shots at the negotiating table... Delta isn't going to put up with consistently poor performance statistics for long before they tell WHOEVER is doing the negotiations that enough is enough, sign a contract and get the numbers back up. The option they used to have of just bleeding us dry of airplanes doesn't work any more since they've stretched themselves as thin as they can on staffing (at all regionals) and don't have anyone else to send the planes to. That's the sad thing, this could be a great place to work and still be extremely profitable at the same time... but the powers that be (whoever they are) refuse to see that. All you have to do is look at Southwest or JetBlue to see that well treated and happy employees have a value you can't put a price on.

 

[JoeMerchant]

Does it matter??? Let's say it is not our sorry excuse for leadership at ASA but either Skywest or Delta calling the shots at the negotiating table... Delta isn't going to put up with consistently poor performance statistics for long before they tell WHOEVER is doing the negotiations that enough is enough, sign a contract and get the numbers back up. The option they used to have of just bleeding us dry of airplanes doesn't work any more since they've stretched themselves as thin as they can on staffing (at all regionals) and don't have anyone else to send the planes to. That's the sad thing, this could be a great place to work and still be extremely profitable at the same time... but the powers that be (whoever they are) refuse to see that. All you have to do is look at Southwest or JetBlue to see that well treated and happy employees have a value you can't put a price on.

It absolutely does matter who you are negotiating with. We could secure the best contract in the world tomorrow, and then over time we could go the way of ALG, ACA, and CCAir, or the way of CMR, Mesaba, XJT, or PDT..... Let's face it, the highest paid member of the portfolio concept hasn't faired well.

Is it too much to ask the union to battle the portfolio concept FIRST, then work on raising the bar? Trying to raise the bar without fixing the portfolio whipsaw may just result in elimination....

Let's say you could convince me that we need to keep this up to force their hand. Two questions for you or any other of my opponents....

1. Why aren't we asking for a single list with Skywest?

2. Why aren't we pushing for Horizon rates on the 700?

Seems to me, if we had as much power as some think then we should be pushing for those two issues? If not, why not?

 

[Turtlesfly]

9/11 is not the #2 reason for the woes of the airlines - not 6 years later.

All airline woes are due to corporate greed. Period. There is no number 2 reason.

 

[ASARJMan]

All airline woes are due to corporate greed. Period.

Exactly! And those greedy airline managements took advantage of the "old" bankruptcy laws to gut hard won contracts, killed pensions while they guaranteed their pensions, and killed morale among all employee groups.

But.......
ASA Employee Appreciation Week Is Here!

 

[JoeMerchant]

So 30 years of declining revenue due to competition had nothing to do with this situation?

So health care costs rising at 8-10% a year on top of those declining revenues didn't have anything to do with it?

So huge pension shortfalls due to poor actuarial assumptions regarding rate of return and life expectancy didn't have anything to do with it?

So USAirways and United who were failing before 911 and used BK to reduce costs didn't affect Delta?

So the portfolio whipsaw isn't affecting it?

OK, whatever you guys say......

 

[Long Time Gone]

Let me ask you ASACRJFlyer.... who do you mean when you say "make our management realize that release or no release, we won't put up with this poor treatment any longer?"

Do you mean ASA managment? Do you mean Skywest management? Do you mean Delta management?

Which management team do you think is making the decisions here? Do really think it is ASA management?

Answer those questions and then we can debate the rest of your post....

I notice you didn't include the rest of ASACRJFlyer's quote in your response.

With Joe, I know the answer. He's already well known for being in bed with management. He, LJ and his "coalition" would sell out the rest of the pilot group for their own gain. I would imagine Joe would be the type to scab if it ever came to that. So the real question is what about the rest of our pilots?

You never seem to fight the fact that you are in bed with management, and that you, LJ, and anyone else you can find would in deed sell us out for your own personal gain. Why is that? You always want to find fault with ALPA and turn every thread into an anti-ALPA discussion, but yet I never have seen or heard of you doing anything positive for the pilot group or in support of them. Please don't give me the "During the CMR strike......" speech. Heard it and erased it.

I found it amazing last year when Scott, during one of his RGT speeches, openly stated, "Contrary to everyone's belief, I have not been to JB and LJ's cabin in the mountains." This statement was made without anyone even prompting him for information. The subject wasn't even brought up by anyone in the class.

 

[FightingIrish]

Who cares.Those of us in the training department have already been sold out. It's time to get off this sinking ship. I guess we are meeting this week to finalize the screw job for the instructors.

 

[JoeMerchant]

I notice you didn't include the rest of ASACRJFlyer's quote in your response.



You never seem to fight the fact that you are in bed with management, and that you, LJ, and anyone else you can find would in deed sell us out for your own personal gain. Why is that? You always want to find fault with ALPA and turn every thread into an anti-ALPA discussion, but yet I never have seen or heard of you doing anything positive for the pilot group or in support of them. Please don't give me the "During the CMR strike......" speech. Heard it and erased it.

What is your definition of "support for the pilot group"? I am supporting those ASA pilots that don't want to become the next victim of the portfolio whipsaw. I am supporting those ASA pilots that don't want to be replaced by the next DCI dujour....

Idealy, I would like our union to put an end to this ridiculous "bidding" for flying within a brand.... however ALPA is both unwilling and unable to do this......

I am trying to protect this pilot group, unlike you.... You and others are willing to sacrifice it on ALPA's alter of failed alter-ego carriers..... Not if I can help it.....

I found it amazing last year when Scott, during one of his RGT speeches, openly stated, "Contrary to everyone's belief, I have not been to JB and LJ's cabin in the mountains." This statement was made without anyone even prompting him for information. The subject wasn't even brought up by anyone in the class.

He brought that up because he reads these message boards, and you losers spread a lie..... one of many I might add.... that he had been up here.... IMO, Scott is a good guy and the best person we have ever had in that position. I have only met him once and that was on the crew bus.... I find it amazing that you guys have to drum up stories of how he has been on our boat or to our house...

I usually don't even address these personal attacks that seem to be the best you can come up with....

Now that I have answered your question, how about you answer some....

1. If we have such a strong position, why don't we ask more for the 700? Our current position is far less than Horizon and far less than inflation? Why?

2. Why aren't we asking for a single list? Scope is very important don't you think?

3. Why are the instructors getting a worse deal than they currently have? What happened to "no pilot left behind"?

If we are "taking it back", shouldn't we push the 700 rate up, the instructor section up, and push for a single list? Why aren't we.....????

 

[ASACAPT]

Who cares.Those of us in the training department have already been sold out. It's time to get off this sinking ship. I guess we are meeting this week to finalize the screw job for the instructors.

Just wondering how you guys got screwed. From what I have heard, the ips will receive a higher guarantee than they do today. So just how did you get screwed?

 

[ASACRJFlyer]

Ok, Joe,

I don't engage against personal attacks against Scott because I've heard just as many good things about him as bad. I've heard more than once he's gone to bat for individual pilots here and there, but I've also heard him say one thing and turn around and do another as well. But I digress on that one...

As far as why we aren't pushing for a single list with SkyWest, well, they're not ALPA yet so until they vote, that's not even an option.

The other thing you seem to think I'm saying is that we DEMAND the highest pay in the industry. I didn't say that either, what I am saying is that we should be getting cost of living increases and quality of life improvements that bring us back up to above average, not industry leading. I'm also in favor of some form of retro because without some punishment for dragging out these negotiations for 5 years, mgmt will just do the same every time the contract becomes amendable so they can have their 5 year pay freeze.

I would agree with you about the highest paid being the next on the chopping block in the past, but as I said before, no one can staff their OWN planes, how are they going to staff ours? Who are they going to transfer our airplanes and flying to???

 

[Long Time Gone]

What is your definition of "support for the pilot group"? I am supporting those ASA pilots that don't want to become the next victim of the portfolio whipsaw. I am supporting those ASA pilots that don't want to be replaced by the next DCI dujour....

I am trying to protect this pilot group, unlike you.... You and others are willing to sacrifice it on ALPA's alter of failed alter-ego carriers..... Not if I can help it.......

My definition is simple. I will stand together with everyone else in this group. I will no longer overlook anything in order to depart on time. I will no longer do anything other than my job. I will no longer assist this company in any way, shape, or form, other than my specific job. I will not report to the aircraft any sooner that 45 minutes prior to departure. I will record every single mx discrepancy, and report it to mx, regardless of where I am or how close to departure time it is. I will ensure that myself and my crew receive adequate time to eat at a reasonable location, which does not mean on the aircraft. I will ensure that my FO and myself depart the aircraft so that my FAs can eat without getting screamed at by Eva's gang. I will no longer call ops after landing or allow my FO to in order to verify a gate. If the gate's wrong, they can call me. From now on out, I am doing my JOB, and nothing else. I am no longer concerned with an on time departure or arrival.

The group you're supporting must be fairly small, with no agreement in your tactics. I strongly question your definition of "supporting those ASA pilots" based on numerous issues. This is just one of many.......

Yeah, I actually got us out of PFN early this morning..... could have made us late with a late duty in for crew rest, but told the station we would get it out on time. Not everyone is happy with ALPA.....

We can only fight one battle at a time... we must fix ALPA first and negotiate as a single voice with management..... until that time, ALPA get's no support from me and I am telling everyone that....

I'm not afraid to stand up to ALPA... they are all bark and no bite....

Just so we all understand this, you had your crew duty in earlier than required in order to have an on time departure? I'm sure the duty in time in the can doesn't reflect this, which would be falsifying a record. Since you're "trying to protect this pilot group, unlike (me)...", you wouldn't actually falsify a record and force your crew to do something illegal, would you? I understand 100% that these passengers pay my paycheck. I'm all for customer service and helping these passengers out. However, I will never force my crew to violate anything just to help out. I will never overlook any issue, just to depart on time. Please clarify who is "trying to protect this pilot group" and who isn't.

Regardless of your views of ALPA in general, we as a group are in this together. You just don't seem to want to be part of that group. You'd rather have your own group that caves in to management and walks around with a brown nose.

He brought that up because he reads these message boards, and you losers spread a lie..... one of many I might add.... that he had been up here.... IMO, Scott is a good guy and the best person we have ever had in that position. I have only met him once and that was on the crew bus.... I find it amazing that you guys have to drum up stories of how he has been on our boat or to our house......

I've never posted anything like that, nor have I ever read anything of the such. Like I said, his statement was made without a prior challenge of such, and specifically named both of you by first and last name and the cabin. It came as a total surprise to the entire class, because we talked about it after he left. No one in the class had heard anything of the such prior to his statement. I find it hard to believe that you don't know Scott, especially since he named you specifically and with as much time as LJ seems to spend with him. We're not stupid. I personally don't care if he is up there. I don't care if you BBQ with his family every weekend. I like Scott. I think he's an approachable individual, which in this industry is good. I've called him on his cell late at night before, because I couldn't get an answer anywhere else. I think he's a much better manager than Nelson was. This isn't a bash on Scott. What I do care about, is the farce that you try to portray to everyone on this board, as well as in person. The "I'm supporting the pilot group, hate ALPA, and am not trying to suck up to management" rants are old. Find something new to entertain us with. As far as postings are concerned, until you stop turning every thread into an ALPA bashing, I wouldn't be using that "loser" mark on anyone else but yourself.

Your statement about Scott reading the message boards isn't an issue. Who cares??? Let him. He stated such himself, which doesn't make a difference to me. He also mentioned "his" log-in, which of course, isn't him. That's obvious.

Regarding your questions for me, I don't have your answers. Those are questions that you need to be asking our reps. If I don't like their answers when the TA comes to vote, I vote no. If enough people agree, then it's turned down. Pretty simple.

I'm sure you have all the answers ahead of time, due to your past. Problem is, no one will listen to you for numerous reasons. You were involved in the union as an MEC officer. People got smart and you are no more. LJ was also an MEC officer, with a higher status than you. I've heard the stories, and it was before my time, so no comment. Yes I do know her, both from talking to her one on one and flying with her. Your hatred of ALPA is a little surprising, though, especially since you're less a year removed. You both tried to get back in, and people showed how smart they are. Like I said before, if the Jackson 5 wasn't on the ballot, it wouldn't have made much of a difference. We aren't as stupid as you think. You're like the kid on the playground that no one likes, but still opens his mouth so people will hear him. You only make people like you less by doing so.

Don't ask me to get more involved in the union, either. Direct involvement in the union isn't my cup of tea. I have more important things to do in my life, such as a wife and kids. I don't even frequent this board unless I'm on an overnight, because my family is more important to me.

Until you actually begin to show it, don't spread that "trying to protect the pilot group" crap too thick. All you've shown is your dislike for ALPA, unwillingness to support the group as a whole regardless of your ALPA beliefs, and ability to bend over to pick up the soap.

I'll make you a deal. You stop turning every thread into an ALPA bashing, and I'll stop the personal attacks.

Like that will ever happen.

 

[HoserASA]

Wow!

I give it an additional 6 pages! What say you?

Hoser

 

[Long Time Gone]

SSShhhhhh!!!!!! Scott knows who you are!!!!!!!

Don't tell John.

 

[HoserASA]

Scott knows who I be! Oh no! What will I ever do! Good post btw.

Hoser
aka Scardino

 

[Long Time Gone]

Thanks Em, 'preciate et. I usually don't waste that much time on a single post, but enough is enough.

You didn't need to do that btw. Everyone knows and respects the Hoser.

 

[HoserASA]

Thanks, appreciate the comment. Just put my name there to insure SH knows who I be.

Hoser