Delta to Downsize ASA Flying

[rtmcfi]

I think you sir have just showed that you have no class and no tact. I hope you never need any help in your quest to that pie in the sky job you think you will someday have. You can never have enough friends in this career field. For your sake I hope you just like to stir the pot. If not then one day your vision for the flying profession will come out when you don't want it to. At that time you will be rolled over like the piece of trash you are. You are an embarrasment to the SkyWest pilot group and pilots as a whole. Someday I hope, for your sake, you learn to shut your mouth.

I just hope someone outs him.

 

[JoeMerchant]

I just hope someone outs him.

"Outing" him won't change anything. The ugly fact that most of the ALPA/Union diehards don't want to admit is that there are many HelloNewmans out there - especially at the regional level. This is why it doesn't matter if you are pro-ALPA or anti-ALPA, pro-union or anti-union, pro-RJDC or anti-RJDC, pro age 60 or anti age 60, Republican or Democrat, Ginger or MaryAnn. The fact is, most pilots, especially at the regional level, are in this for themselves. The sooner we all realize this, the sooner we can work on a solution. Until then it will just be entertainment on Flight Info.........

 

[Weasil]

from the SKYW 2005 annual report.

I thought this little excerpt was worth sharing. It is what Skywest mgmt wrote about unions in their 2005 annual report to stockholders.

"Increased labor costs, strikes, labor disputes and increased unionization of our workforces may adversely affect our
ability to conduct our business.​

Our business is labor intensive, requiring large numbers of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other personnel. Labor
costs constitute a significant percentage of our total operating costs. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2005, our
labor costs constituted approximately 24.2% of our total operating costs. Increases in our unionized labor costs could result in a
material reduction in our earnings and affect our revenue under our code-share agreements. Any new collective bargaining
agreements entered into by other regional carriers may also result in higher industry wages and increased pressure on us to
increase the wages and benefits of our employees. Future agreements with unionized and non-unionized employees may be on
terms that are not as attractive as our current agreements or comparable to agreements entered into by our competitors.
ASA’s pilots, flight attendants and flight controllers are represented by unions, including: The Air Line Pilots Association,
International, the Association of Flight Attendants – CNA and the Professional Airline Flight Control Association​

​

. ASA’s pilots
and flight attendants are currently working under open labor contracts, and ASA has been in negotiations with respect to such
contracts since 2002 and 2003 respectively. Negotiations with unions representing SkyWest Airlines’ employees could divert
management attention and disrupt operations, which may result in increased operating expenses and lower net income. Moreover,
we cannot predict the outcome of any future negotiations relating to union representation or collective bargaining agreements.
SkyWest Airlines’ employees are not currently represented by any union; however, collective bargaining group organization
efforts among those employees occur from time to time. We recognize that such efforts will likely continue in the future and may
ultimately result in some or all of SkyWest Airlines’ employees being represented by one or more unions. Moreover, one or more
unions representing ASA employees may seek a single carrier determination by the National Mediation Board, which could
require SkyWest Airlines to recognize such union or unions as the certified bargaining representative of SkyWest Airlines’
employees. One or more unions representing ASA employees may also assert that SkyWest Airlines’ employees should be
subject to ASA collective bargaining agreements. If SkyWest Airlines’ employees were to unionize or be deemed to be
represented by one or more unions, negotiations with unions representing SkyWest Airlines’ employees could divert management
18
attention and disrupt operations, which may result in increased operating expenses and lower net income. Moreover, we cannot
predict the outcome of any future negotiations relating to union representation or collective bargaining agreements. Agreements
reached in collective bargaining may increase operating expenses and lower operating results and net income. If unionizing
efforts among SkyWest Airlines’ employees are successful, we may be subjected to risks of work interruption or stoppage and/or
incur additional administrative expenses associated with union representation.
If we are unable to reach labor agreements with any current or future unionized work groups, we may be subject to work
interruptions or stoppages, which may adversely affect our ability to conduct our operations and may even allow Delta or United
to terminate their respective code-share agreements."​

 

[JoeMerchant]

I thought this little excerpt was worth sharing. It is what Skywest mgmt wrote about unions in their 2005 annual report to stockholders.​

"Increased labor costs, strikes, labor disputes and increased unionization of our workforces may adversely affect our
ability to conduct our business.
Our business is labor intensive, requiring large numbers of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other personnel. Labor
costs constitute a significant percentage of our total operating costs. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2005, our
labor costs constituted approximately 24.2% of our total operating costs. Increases in our unionized labor costs could result in a
material reduction in our earnings and affect our revenue under our code-share agreements. Any new collective bargaining
agreements entered into by other regional carriers may also result in higher industry wages and increased pressure on us to
increase the wages and benefits of our employees. Future agreements with unionized and non-unionized employees may be on
terms that are not as attractive as our current agreements or comparable to agreements entered into by our competitors.
ASA’s pilots, flight attendants and flight controllers are represented by unions, including: The Air Line Pilots Association,
International, the Association of Flight Attendants – CNA and the Professional Airline Flight Control Association. ASA’s pilots
and flight attendants are currently working under open labor contracts, and ASA has been in negotiations with respect to such
contracts since 2002 and 2003 respectively. Negotiations with unions representing SkyWest Airlines’ employees could divert
management attention and disrupt operations, which may result in increased operating expenses and lower net income. Moreover,
we cannot predict the outcome of any future negotiations relating to union representation or collective bargaining agreements.
SkyWest Airlines’ employees are not currently represented by any union; however, collective bargaining group organization
efforts among those employees occur from time to time. We recognize that such efforts will likely continue in the future and may
ultimately result in some or all of SkyWest Airlines’ employees being represented by one or more unions. Moreover, one or more
unions representing ASA employees may seek a single carrier determination by the National Mediation Board, which could
require SkyWest Airlines to recognize such union or unions as the certified bargaining representative of SkyWest Airlines’
employees. One or more unions representing ASA employees may also assert that SkyWest Airlines’ employees should be
subject to ASA collective bargaining agreements. If SkyWest Airlines’ employees were to unionize or be deemed to be
represented by one or more unions, negotiations with unions representing SkyWest Airlines’ employees could divert management
18
attention and disrupt operations, which may result in increased operating expenses and lower net income. Moreover, we cannot
predict the outcome of any future negotiations relating to union representation or collective bargaining agreements. Agreements
reached in collective bargaining may increase operating expenses and lower operating results and net income. If unionizing
efforts among SkyWest Airlines’ employees are successful, we may be subjected to risks of work interruption or stoppage and/or
incur additional administrative expenses associated with union representation.
If we are unable to reach labor agreements with any current or future unionized work groups, we may be subject to work
interruptions or stoppages, which may adversely affect our ability to conduct our operations and may even allow Delta or United
to terminate their respective code-share agreements."​

Well there you have it. Even Skywest management realizes that ALPA COULD push the issue of a single group - so why isn't that our goal??????

 

[JoeMerchant]

Sadly,

When this whole thing started, many of us who have dealt with JA, and Skywest posted that you guys just didn't understand your adversary. Yet you insisted on numerous demands that just were not going to happen. Because you had all this "leverage". You were going to burn the place down, my MEC speaks for me. etc.

Now a lot of those hardliners have moved on, and the ones that are left are looking at crap.

Sadly SSDD, some of us at ASA warned of the same thing, but it goes unheard with the chest thumping crowd. They have an ALPA pin on and an ALPA sticker on their flight bag, and ALPA has convinced them that they have more power than they really do. ALPA is a business, just like ASA and Skywest....

 

[JoeMerchant]

I don't understand what the answer is then, undercut you guys? Because that's exactly what the current Management offer on the table would do.

Not on the 700.... in fact current book on the 700 and some other sections of current book are better than Skywest.....

 

[JoeMerchant]

Pilots aren't used to unwinnable situations. Maybe there ISN'T an answer.

I'm so tired of this.

Maybe we SHOULD undercut SKW....... lower our pay scales and lower theirs in the process. Go out in a ball of fire!!!!

Now someone will post "don't let the door hit you in the a$$"

Actually, that isn't a bad idea. I have advocated undercutting mainline rates for everything up to the 747/777. What's good for the goose is good for the gander... or something like that.... Mainline pilots are undercutting regional pilots now for the 70-90 seat flying and regionals are undercutting each other. Lets make it a free for all so that everyone feels the pain - then and only then will everyone come together to solve the problem....

 

[surplus1]

ALPA apparently does not want a merger, although that would be best for the pilot membership. A merger would trigger a representational vote to see who represents the combined group and ALPA apparently is not convinced it would win. So ALPA is watching out for ALPA and not its members. (and in all fairness, ALPA tried to do the right thing at GoJets and lost thanks to Teamsters getting in bed with management. ALPA may think they can't win, so they aren't going to try)

I think you know that I have huge problems with ALPA but I think you also know that they have nothing to do with ASA negotiations or the ASA/SKYW situation. As you know I'm not an ASA or a SKYW pilot and I probably shouldn't be butting in, but I want you guys to succeed. What you're doing right now is guaranteeing failure.

Fins, I think your ideas re ALPA's fear of 'losing' ASA may have some merit but be that as it may, you have bigger fish to fry.

It's not likely that you will be able to force Skywest Holdings to merge the two companies, but you don't need that. What you need is a single list with the SKYW pilots and a single contract. Whe I say "you need" I'm talking about BOTH of you.

That may be costly (for the ASA group) but it is worth every penny. It's achievable and it won't take forever if you both wise up. The only thing it will cost the SKYW group is union dues, and that's nothing compared to the value of what you can both gain.

The SKYW pilots need this and just as badly as you do; the problem is they don't seem to realize it. Somehow you have to find a way to convice them that it is in their best interests to join the union and negotiate a single contract for both of you. That contract MUST bind the holding company to terms very similar, if not identical, to the terms of the Chautauqa contract, Section 1.

Right now the SKYW pilots seem to think they're sitting pretty and the problems are all ASA problems. That may be true today but it won't be true tomorrow. If the company succeeds in crushing ASA, the SKYW piltos' honeymoon will end and they will be next. It's inevitable, whether they realize it or not, and the fact is they have NO protection at all; zero.

This isn't about 'loving ALPA', it's about protecting your mutual interests. Whatever ALPA's problems may be, membership in the union for both ASA and SKYW is way ahead of whatever's in second place.

Solving your joint problem of being alter egos to each other is light years ahead of what ever feelings of dissatisfaction with ALPA either one of you may have.

Right now, a union company and a non-union company on the same property is the worst possible situation either one of you could be in. If you don't solve this division and form a single pilot group, one of you isn't going to get the better of the other - you are both going to screw yourselfs.

Whatever problems you have with ALPA, the problems you have with each other as alter egos are much worse.

Don't think I'm campaigning for ALPA - nothing could be further from the truth. I AM campaigning for ASA and SKYW pilots! You need to be in the same union with a single seniority list AND the requirement that any other company that SkyWest may buy in the future is also on the same list.

ALPA may not be able to get you the contract that you want at ASA but they can help you to get the security provisions that you need and must have. A different union for each of you will not solve that problem, therefore, ALPA for SKYW pilots is the best choice. Stop worrying about ALPA and worry about yourselves. The SKYW pilots need to be in the same union - not to help ASA - to help themselves.

You folks need to set aside your differences and get on the same page. It is absolutely essential to the future welfare of both of you. If you don't stop this quasi civil war, you are both going to screw yourselves!

It doesn't matter if you think ALPA has been effective at representing the ASA pilots or anybody else. If you join together, you can represent yourselves as effectively as you want to. ALPA is just the tool that you can use to your advantage in doing that.

It is true that ALPA plays favorites in favor of mainline pilots. Right now that is immaterial to ASA & SKYW pilots. What does matter is your joint job security! ASA has next to none, and SKYW has absolutely NONE.

ALPA can't use scope to grow ASA at SkyWest's expense and it can't do anything at all for SKYW pilots - unless they join. If you two stop fighting with each other and join forces, ALPA can and will provide the tools you need to fix your problem yourselves. That's not because ALPA is going to 'give' you anything - it is because both of you together can make SkyWest, Inc. give both of you what you need.

You are both giving the company exactly what it wants - the ability to manipulate and control you both and play you against each other like a fiddle - to their benefit and at your joint expense.

For your own sake, I beseech you to get together and protect your mutual interests. There is just no way to do it as long as you remain at each other's throats.

All of you - wake up and smell the Coffee!

 

[JoeMerchant]

I think you know that I have huge problems with ALPA but I think you also know that they have nothing to do with ASA negotiations or the ASA/SKYW situation. As you know I'm not an ASA or a SKYW pilot and I probably shouldn't be butting in, but I want you guys to succeed. What you're doing right now is guaranteeing failure.

Fins, I think your ideas re ALPA's fear of 'losing' ASA may have some merit but be that as it may, you have bigger fish to fry.

It's not likely that you will be able to force Skywest Holdings to merge the two companies, but you don't need that. What you need is a single list with the SKYW pilots and a single contract. Whe I say "you need" I'm talking about BOTH of you.

That may be costly (for the ASA group) but it is worth every penny. It's achievable and it won't take forever if you both wise up. The only thing it will cost the SKYW group is union dues, and that's nothing compared to the value of what you can both gain.

The SKYW pilots need this and just as badly as you do; the problem is they don't seem to realize it. Somehow you have to find a way to convice them that it is in their best interests to join the union and negotiate a single contract for both of you. That contract MUST bind the holding company to terms very similar, if not identical, to the terms of the Chautauqa contract, Section 1.

Right now the SKYW pilots seem to think they're sitting pretty and the problems are all ASA problems. That may be true today but it won't be true tomorrow. If the company succeeds in crushing ASA, the SKYW piltos' honeymoon will end and they will be next. It's inevitable, whether they realize it or not, and the fact is they have NO protection at all; zero.

This isn't about 'loving ALPA', it's about protecting your mutual interests. Whatever ALPA's problems may be, membership in the union for both ASA and SKYW is way ahead of whatever's in second place.

Solving your joint problem of being alter egos to each other is light years ahead of what ever feelings of dissatisfaction with ALPA either one of you may have.

Right now, a union company and a non-union company on the same property is the worst possible situation either one of you could be in. If you don't solve this division and form a single pilot group, one of you isn't going to get the better of the other - you are both going to screw yourselfs.

Whatever problems you have with ALPA, the problems you have with each other as alter egos are much worse.

Don't think I'm campaigning for ALPA - nothing could be further from the truth. I AM campaigning for ASA and SKYW pilots! You need to be in the same union with a single seniority list AND the requirement that any other company that SkyWest may buy in the future is also on the same list.

ALPA may not be able to get you the contract that you want at ASA but they can help you to get the security provisions that you need and must have. A different union for each of you will not solve that problem, therefore, ALPA for SKYW pilots is the best choice. Stop worrying about ALPA and worry about yourselves. The SKYW pilots need to be in the same union - not to help ASA - to help themselves.

You folks need to set aside your differences and get on the same page. It is absolutely essential to the future welfare of both of you. If you don't stop this quasi civil war, you are both going to screw yourselves!

It doesn't matter if you think ALPA has been effective at representing the ASA pilots or anybody else. If you join together, you can represent yourselves as effectively as you want to. ALPA is just the tool that you can use to your advantage in doing that.

It is true that ALPA plays favorites in favor of mainline pilots. Right now that is immaterial to ASA & SKYW pilots. What does matter is your joint job security! ASA has next to none, and SKYW has absolutely NONE.

ALPA can't use scope to grow ASA at SkyWest's expense and it can't do anything at all for SKYW pilots - unless they join. If you two stop fighting with each other and join forces, ALPA can and will provide the tools you need to fix your problem yourselves. That's not because ALPA is going to 'give' you anything - it is because both of you together can make SkyWest, Inc. give both of you what you need.

You are both giving the company exactly what it wants - the ability to manipulate and control you both and play you against each other like a fiddle - to their benefit and at your joint expense.

For your own sake, I beseech you to get together and protect your mutual interests. There is just no way to do it as long as you remain at each other's throats.

All of you - wake up and smell the Coffee!

Once again, very well said Surplus. However, here lies the problem...

We at ASA, are not even making this an issue in the contract. It isn't even on the table. Like you, I am not a fan of ALPA national, but the local MEC can still do good things. However for some reason, our MEC is not even pushing for a single list.

I respect your opinions and you taught me well back in '98 at the GM center. You taught me more than ALPA has and we could use more like you. Unfortunately, the "new" leadership at ASA and CMR is not like you. IMO, the ASA and CMR MECs have lost the fight that they once had. They have fallen in line with Herndon.

How do we change this?

 

[surplus1]

Joe,

Thanks for the kind words but I'm not important. What you all are doing is.

As I'm sure you can guess, I am not familiar with ASA table positions. I have no idea what you all are asking for. I will confess that, if it is true that you are not seeking Scope improvements, that's a problem that should be corrected. I can't tell you how to go about it because I don't know the details of your situation and even if I did it wouldn't matter. That's a problem you all have to solve internally.

However, I do have the opinion that regardless of real or perceived differences with ALPA National, at this point in time they need to be set aside until more critical issues are resolved. In my opinion, unity between the ASA and SKYW pilots, at this point in time, supercedes any concerns about the ALPA organization at the national level.

You both need to be using the ALPA, not fighting it. When your job security has been assured to your satisfaction you will have plenty of time to argue about the national organization and its merits.

What is important now is the fact that ALPA is a legal union, and both ASA and SKYW pilots need it as their bargaining agent. In my opinion this is not the time to change horses. It is the time to get in the same wagon and drive the horse in the direction you require.

It is also my opinion that at this time a Single Carrier Petition would not be the right course to pursue. A majority of the SKYW pilots do not seem to be 'on board' and a successful SCP could leave both ASA and SKYW with no union at all. That's not just a 'concern', it's a legitimate threat. I believe that the required solutions can and should be achieved in direct negotiations.

Having said that, I do not think that is achievable if the SKYW and ASA pilots are at odds with each other. What you have to do first is convince the SKYW pilots that it is in there best interests to join the union, which it is, and that union should be ALPA (simply because ASA is already in it). Two different unions will not solve your mutual whipsaw problem. You'll just wind up with the unions fighting each other, instead of the pilots fighting each other. In a nutshell, no difference.

If the SKYW pilots were to join ALPA, they would begin negotiations for their first contract almost immediately, under Section 6. In that ASA is already in Section 6, it would not be rocket science for the 'single union' to merge internally the two groups and present a consolidated proposal to the company. Your bargaining power would more than double overnight.

[It's like losing an engine in a twin-engined airplane - when that happens you lose 50% of your engines, but 60 -65% of your effective power due to other factors. Apply that theory in reverse and you can see what I mean - Two pilot groups; one union, increases your effective bargaining power by more than 100%]

In the process it will probably be necessary for the ASA group to adjust its "wants" (contractually) and focus more on its "needs". Job security should be at the very top of your needs. If you have no job security, the rest of the contract isn't worth the paper its written on.

It is achieved in two ways: 1) The holding company that owns both airlines must recognize Section 1 of the common contract and it must apply to all present and future airlines owned and operated by that holding company; 2) All pilots in the service (whether the holding company owns 2 airlines or 10 airlines) must be on a single seniority list.

The problems of integration, etc. are peripheral and can be resolved with whatever fences or other means are mutually agreed between the pilots. If you all think you're in trouble now, let SkyWest, Inc. buy a third company and see what happens.

Right now the ASA group seems to be getting all the 'heat' but that's only because you are the only union and you were already in negotiations before they bought you. As soon as the company has its way with you, it will be the SkyWest pilots turn in the barrel and they will be eating the s*it sandwich.

I noticed you mentioned Mesa in one of your posts. I would suggest that you NOT copy their Section 1. It's a one time deal and it only covers the companies that existed in MAG at the time it was signed. Freedom II could appear at any time. Focus on the CHQ contract. Their Section 1 is far superior to that of Mesa. Although it is by no means perfect it's light years ahead of where you all are today.

Now if you could combine QX's Section 1, with CHQ's Section 1 - your job security could be as good as it gets.

From my perspective, Job 1 is to get the SKYW pilots to recognize the advantages of collective bargaining and join the union. It is in your collective mutual best interest that that union should be ALPA for the reasons already stated.

Once they are in the union if you all can agree on the common objective of job security as your highest priority, I believe it can be achieved, provided the remainder of your expectations are realistic with respect to the current state of the industry.

In the process of attempting to pursue this concept you don't need to worry about Herndon. As I see it, your problems are right where you are on your own property.

If you all will lead, Herndon will follow. DW is gone and there's a new Sheriff in town. Much more of a 'union man'.

I wish you the best.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

The post on here that stated that the DCI flying out of ATL would be SKW inc. is dead on. When DAL leaves court protection they can do as they please with the DCI contract that SKW signed for ASA. In fact expect it to be amended to state 80% SKW inc.
ASA will not totally disappear. It will be around to use the certificate on city pairs that conflict with the UAL agreement, but I do feel that ASA will be marginalized a fair amount in the coming years. It is for bottom line and customer satisfaction. Why does DAL want to shoot their numbers in the foot now? Well, they as well as ASA have gone at great lengths to differentiate that ASA is not DAL. It is no longer a seamless event. Because of this people blame ASA not DAL for the problems. This is what the management at DAL wants to see. You will see the contract amended in some form in the next year, but it will not hurt SKW inc, just ASA inc.

 

[Texx]

I thought this little excerpt was worth sharing. It is what Skywest mgmt wrote about unions in their 2005 annual report to stockholders.​

"Increased labor costs, strikes, labor disputes and increased unionization of our workforces may adversely affect our
ability to conduct our business.
Our business is labor intensive, requiring large numbers of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other personnel. Labor
costs constitute a significant percentage of our total operating costs. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2005, our
labor costs constituted approximately 24.2% of our total operating costs. Increases in our unionized labor costs could result in a
material reduction in our earnings and affect our revenue under our code-share agreements. Any new collective bargaining
agreements entered into by other regional carriers may also result in higher industry wages and increased pressure on us to
increase the wages and benefits of our employees. Future agreements with unionized and non-unionized employees may be on
terms that are not as attractive as our current agreements or comparable to agreements entered into by our competitors.
ASA’s pilots, flight attendants and flight controllers are represented by unions, including: The Air Line Pilots Association,
International, the Association of Flight Attendants – CNA and the Professional Airline Flight Control Association. ASA’s pilots
and flight attendants are currently working under open labor contracts, and ASA has been in negotiations with respect to such
contracts since 2002 and 2003 respectively. Negotiations with unions representing SkyWest Airlines’ employees could divert
management attention and disrupt operations, which may result in increased operating expenses and lower net income. Moreover,
we cannot predict the outcome of any future negotiations relating to union representation or collective bargaining agreements.
SkyWest Airlines’ employees are not currently represented by any union; however, collective bargaining group organization
efforts among those employees occur from time to time. We recognize that such efforts will likely continue in the future and may
ultimately result in some or all of SkyWest Airlines’ employees being represented by one or more unions. Moreover, one or more
unions representing ASA employees may seek a single carrier determination by the National Mediation Board, which could
require SkyWest Airlines to recognize such union or unions as the certified bargaining representative of SkyWest Airlines’
employees. One or more unions representing ASA employees may also assert that SkyWest Airlines’ employees should be
subject to ASA collective bargaining agreements. If SkyWest Airlines’ employees were to unionize or be deemed to be
represented by one or more unions, negotiations with unions representing SkyWest Airlines’ employees could divert management
18
attention and disrupt operations, which may result in increased operating expenses and lower net income. Moreover, we cannot
predict the outcome of any future negotiations relating to union representation or collective bargaining agreements. Agreements
reached in collective bargaining may increase operating expenses and lower operating results and net income. If unionizing
efforts among SkyWest Airlines’ employees are successful, we may be subjected to risks of work interruption or stoppage and/or
incur additional administrative expenses associated with union representation.
If we are unable to reach labor agreements with any current or future unionized work groups, we may be subject to work
interruptions or stoppages, which may adversely affect our ability to conduct our operations and may even allow Delta or United
to terminate their respective code-share agreements."​

Jack Welch's position, former CEO of GE, on unions is quite different. He says that trying to fight the unions does nothing but hurt production and customer service. He delt with unions in this way. Bring them into the fold. Work with them not against them. Be transparent. He didn't like unions either but most of your larger corporations work together with them.

At one time ASA had a person, Ed P., that worked with the union. This was the most successful time at ASA.

Which airline in the RAA has a good working relationship with their union? There isn't one.

Airlines want good CRM when it comes to crews but the management can't practice what they preach.

 

[~~~^~~~]

ACL65, thank you for your insight.

Texx - I think Jerry Atkin is pragmatic and obviously smart. SkyWest needs pilots, ASA pilots need jobs. There is common ground. SkyWest has made stock grants (about $2,100 for me) and taken other actions that would seem to indicate an invitation might exist to join the team. It would not be the best of each contract, but it would sure beat the heck out of starting over at the bottom.

~ or ~

Brian LaBreque in contrast has told classes that airlines' problems are in large part the result of longevity. Contracts should either be flat, or airlines re-staffed every five years.

Those are the choices. In my opinion the ASA MEC needs to set up a merger committee and provide leadership that can result in good outcomes for ASA pilots. One List sure looks like a mutually beneficial program for SkyWest and ASA.

 

[79%N1]

Problem is = Skywest pilots DO NOT see it that way, and I can understand why. But I certainly agree.

 

[~~~^~~~]

79% - The SkyWest pilots don't have a union. ASA pilots do. That should result in a representational advantage for ASA pilots.

Mergers among equals usually work out best for everyone.

 

[SSDD]

While the problem will be HOW to integrate the seniority lists, I think the majority of Skywest pilots are smart enough to understand that one list will benefit us all.

 

[CFIT]

The reality is if the SkyWest pilot group were to merge with the ASA pilot group it would accomplish nothing except the huge sacrifice the groups would have to give up to get the language in the contract. Do you think managemnet would give in to it for free?

All SkyWest Inc. would have to do is get another certificate and start another feed airline for United and Delta, and they could probably offer it for lower since there costs would be less.

SkyWest management has looked at this from virtually every possible angle and developed an out, and then they hired a consulting firm that gave them additional answers. All of which was done before the purchase of ASA.

This amongst the many other reasons SkyWest wouldn't gain anything through ALPA.



Also, the union chatter blerb on the annual report has been there since about 2002', it's one of those lawyer-esqe speels about "the sky could fall" provisions "so don't sue us if your stock drops" type things.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

SkyWest pilots could not care less if ASA went away. They see their lack of union as a form of job security. They're afraid of JA, and don't dare rock the boat. And why should they when they stand to gain all of the flying at our expense? I wouldn't be surprised if the topic of conversation lately in their cockpits is speculation on our flying. Thanks guys.

 

[goahead]

Who cares, why don't we stop worrying about us at ASA and fix the real problem in ATL, why can't we buy beer on Sundays????????
That is a real life problem, not just a rumor on F.I.

 

[711-24-7]

Who cares, why don't we stop worrying about us at ASA and fix the real problem in ATL, why can't we buy beer on Sundays????????
That is a real life problem, not just a rumor on F.I.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!