This is mostly getting the cart before the horse since a TA has not been officially announced, though from speaking with the EC something is on the table that is agreed upon, but since it has not been 100% approved by both sides (meaning legal has not signed off), it cannot be called a TA. But this is just what I know now.
I would have to agree with most of the fellow CHQ pilot's here. A contract will not please everyone. I do firmly believe that the current EC took the old TA as a baseline to improve. I do not believe they would send anything to us that would include poor wording, subpar benefits, giving up what we have now (ie giving them junior manning in exchange for benefits), or low compensation. I do believe we were looking for at least parity with the industry, but that becomes harder as time goes on. Republic I do believe is being delt with because it was a major point with the EC. Republic Airlines may continue to exsist, but I would guess a one list policy for RAH may be coming. You could cross bid into Republic and back to CHQ, but there would be one master list between the two and the contract would cover both airlines.
Why a possible sudden swing of events? I guessing (and all speculation) the time is running out for management. If they have deals with airlines on the table then they eventually have to announce them. It would explain the extreme tactics they have used in the past few months. Furloughing and downgrading pilots when scheduling cannot cover trips due to lack of coverage doesn't make sense, except to try to get the pilots to fall into line. Messages from the Company with exactly how many jobs were lost (or not added) because we authorized a strike vote. Direct letters to employees with packages of compensation from other regionals to point out that were are asking for too much and our EC is not doing any good for us. It seems management is trying to fight a major battle and pulling out all the stops. I do believe we have stood firm and will make up our minds with what is put on the table. Our EC knows we would rather take this to the limit than agree to a substandard package. I put my faith in them, but what has transpired will not be known until it is in writing.
Until then, I'll get my passengers from piont A to B as safetly and as comfortably as possible. When I do receive a TA, I'll sit down and read it cover to cover. I will weigh the good and the bad and vote how I will. This is a benchmark contract for CHQ. We are no where near the same company we were when the last contract was signed. This will set what the contracts our airline (Chautauqua) has to work with for many years to come. I can see why both sides have been bitter because they know the ramifications this will have on the future course of the airline. I will take the future pilots here into consideration after (hopefully) I am gone. This is a major turning point for Chautauqua. I just hope I can look back and hope I made a positive impact.
