Don't Drink The Koolaid!!!!

[Texx]

No, sorry, I'm not an Opera singer. Just a lowly dispatcher trolling your umpteenth union-related thread.

Well if you would open your eyes and keep up with the real world, not your Skywest one, you would see that ....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21206715/

 

[XPOO]

Well if you would open your eyes and keep up with the real world, not your Skywest one, you would see that ....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21206715/

Maybe if you weren't so into gay sex with little boys and NAMBLA meetings, you would embrace the socialized arts and would see that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Devlin_(bass-baritone)

 

[Texx]

Maybe if you weren't so into gay sex with little boys and NAMBLA meetings, you would embrace the socialized arts and would see that...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Devlin_(bass-baritone)

Been there.....You might want to find some help for your problem..being unable to be a professional pilot in your life is ok. Your family still loves you.

 

[Exskydiverdrivr]

Nothing to see here dispatcher. Pilots talking about what is best for their lives. Does not affect you. Move along.......

 

[WalterSobchak]

...being unable to be a professional pilot in your life is ok.

Perhaps we chose this gig because we were smart enough to see the bullcrap and stay away? Believe it or not, some of us have brains...just like a few of you guys do.

Nothing to see here dispatcher. Pilots talking about what is best for their lives. Does not affect you. Move along.......

Actually, if SkyWest does vote in ALPA, that DOES affect XPOO. Does it affect his work rules, days off, pay, etc.? Probably not.

It DOES, however, change the way he does his job and, possibly, the financial situation/operational growth of the company he works for. So, while he doesn't directly have a dog in the fight, he is entitled to an opinion.



Oh yeah, the Grammar Nazi in me wishes to thank you for using the proper spelling of "affect".

 

[XPOO]

Been there.....You might want to find some help for your problem..being unable to be a professional pilot in your life is ok. Your family still loves you.

If acting like you is considered "professional," then I would rather just remain a dispatcher.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

ALPA = Chicken Little

THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING!

Hmmm sounds a lot like another group at Skywest. Management used this tactic regularly post 9/11 while the company continued making record profits year after year. Drink up! Isn't there a dispatcher board somewhere around here?

 

[SkyNation]

Skywest Pylot,

I have a question for you. IF we vote in ALPA, how big of a raise will we get?

-when will get it?

-how will voting in ALPA help our company to remain competitive in the market?

-when we get our first contract (remind me, when will that be?), what assurances can you give me that it will even be as good as what we have now?

-we will be represented by a rookie MEC. are you confident that they will be able to negotiate a contract reflective of those negotiated by MECs who've been around for decades and are just now getting some things that we've had all along?

-how do you feel when your FOs tell you how happy they are here, and what a nightmare it was at __________ (insert former ALPA regional here). Do you really just disregard them categorically, or do you think that the experience of so many may be worth something?

-Finally, the head of the OC in SLC has been quoted as saying that their biggest obstacle in getting votes is FOs who've come here from other ALPA regionals (Mesa, AWAC, Comair, ASA, etc.) What does that tell you?

BTW, I'll agree in advance to disagree.

 

[XPOO]

Hmmm sounds a lot like another group at Skywest. Management used this tactic regularly post 9/11 while the company continued making record profits year after year. Drink up! Isn't there a dispatcher board somewhere around here?

You know, I checked and double checked, and this board is only called "Regionals." You must have thought is said "Regional Pilots." Honest mistake on your part, I shall over look it. Besides I love the company's Cherry flavored Kool-Aid. Your Sour Grapes flavored Kool-Aid sounds disgusting, no thanks.

 

[SkyNation]

XPOO

just out of curiosity, what is the talk in SGU about all this union stuff? I've never actually been to HQ, and I wonder what the mood is there?

 

[XPOO]

Generally, no one really cares. There are opinions here and there, but no heated debates. It is concensus that should ALPA get voted in, the rest of the departments will probably follow suit in order to keep a fair representation in the SEC meetings.

 

[SkyNation]

the rest of the departments will probably follow suit

won't that be a joy!

man, if that happens maybe I will leave this place. we'd be locked into one long, drug out negotiation after another. I'm guessing by the time the FA, Mx, et al get their clubs on property, 10 years or more would pass.

I wonder how we'd do in the market in those 10 years?

 

[XPOO]

I think your taking it out of context, Sky. What I mean is, if ALPA is representing the pilots at the SEC meetings is SAFA gonna have as much pull as ALPA? Or would they rather have an equal representation and more than likely seek out their own union? SkyWest has always been able to be in the best position for growth and prosperity because of its ability to quickly adapt. ALPA is only going to inhibit that ability and someone else will come in and beat us, just as we used to. But I feel our product is strong and so is our management so ALPA wouldn't be the end of the world here. But I feel our best future is remaining competitive not hindering it.

 

[SkyNation]

I agree.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

I have a question for you. IF we vote in ALPA, how big of a raise will we get?

Based on the damage done by SAPA in recent negotiations, I don't know. Will it be a step in the right direction? Yes. I believe with a little unity we are capable of atleast getting the new ASA payrates. If we don't vote in ALPA how big of a payraise will we get?

when will get it?

I don't believe ALPA will fix everything overnight but it will get us headed in the right direction. As with all legal matters it will probably take some time. I know a number of our pilots who voted it down last time who wish they could have that vote back. We've gotta look to the future.

how will voting in ALPA help our company to remain competitive in the market?

How is ASA profitable? Now that negotiations are coming to a close I strongly believe that you're gonna see their numbers improve dramatically. Do me a favor and keep an eye on them for the next 6 months to a year. If this doesn't happen, I will eat my words. Deal?

when we get our first contract (remind me, when will that be?), what assurances can you give me that it will even be as good as what we have now?

What assurances can you give me that our pay (taking into account inflation) and work rules will be as good in the future as they are now? Again, who's representing us at the negotiating table?

we will be represented by a rookie MEC. are you confident that they will be able to negotiate a contract reflective of those negotiated by MECs who've been around for decades and are just now getting some things that we've had all along?

Who is negotiating for us now? SAPA? Need I say more? You talk about how good it is now. When I first got here our pay and bennefits were much, much better. Since that time my pay and QOL have been on a steady downward slide. I would like to legally lock something in now that can be counted on for the future. What alternatives do we have? Do you know something I don't? I would definately take a rookie MEC with ALPA legal resources over what we have now.

how do you feel when your FOs tell you how happy they are here, and what a nightmare it was at __________ (insert former ALPA regional here). Do you really just disregard them categorically, or do you think that the experience of so many may be worth something?

I think to myself, "better not get used to what you have now cause it very well may be gone tomorrow". Every one is entitled to their oppinion but I would like to talk to those same guys/gals in 2,3,4 years without a legally binding contract. Most, not all, will be singing a different tune. Trust me, I have seen it time and time again. Is there something wrong with wanting to maintain/improve what we've got?

Finally, the head of the OC in SLC has been quoted as saying that their biggest obstacle in getting votes is FOs who've come here from other ALPA regionals (Mesa, AWAC, Comair, ASA, etc.) What does that tell you?

Talk to the pilots who came from union carriers but have been here for a while (more than a couple of years). Watching the company make penstroke changes to the policy manual at the expense of my Pay/QOL is what got me to this point. My paycheck buys less and less every year. My budget becomes tighter and tighter. I have less and less time with the wife and kids. It's just a matter of time.

I do not believe ALPA is the answer to ALL of our problems but I do believe it is the best tool available to us at Skywest right now. I only ask our pilots to educate themselves on ALL of the issues and then vote accordingly.

Good debate. I am sick of all the name calling B.S. so this was good.