Don't Drink The Koolaid!!!!

[Skywest Pylot]

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.

At one time this model worked quite well at Skywest back when management had the full trust of our pilot group. Unfortunately, many broken promises later we work for a different company. What the flight attendants, rampers and anyone else do is their business. I'm just looking for something legally binding that I can count on. Gotta stop the erosion.

 

[SkyNation]

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

couldn't agree more.

it seems to all come down to a big unknown on either side.

will Jerry et al sell us all down the river to increase their stock by a half a point? who knows.

will ALPA come in and drag through 3, 4, 5 or more years to deliver us a sub-par contract and then just say 'well, this was your first one. We'll get 'em next time!' who knows.

I'm now in my 4th year at SkyWest. I came from an ALPA regional. I still sing the same tune as when I got here. Being on reserve sucks, but I knew that going in and when I upgraded. That is not the fault or function of an evil, power hungry management that is out to get me. It is part of being a pilot on a seniority list.

I'll agree that some things have deteriorated here, but I blame that more on the industry/economy/market as a whole. It's not just here, it's everywhere. Things blow at Comair right now for lots of folks too compared to 5 or 7 years ago.

Some have in my estimation correctly likened ALPA to having very invasive surgery. A lot of healthy, clean tissue has to be sacrificed and scarred to treat the problem. Long healing has to follow before the patient can return to his previous level of health or hopefully improve.

The issue then becomes 'has bad do we have it? how drastic does our surgery need to be? how long will it take us to heal? what will we lose?' This is where differing opinions fall.

I feel that my overall QOL, pay, benefits and the health of the company is good and poised to remain so in years to come.

I can understand and appreciate those who feel that we are 'sicker' and need more drastic change.

I trust in the democratic process and the collective mind of our pilot group to decide what will be best.

hell, I'll even be on a committee if ALPA is voted in, because if it is, that's it. There is no trial period with a money back guarantee.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

Good post! I agree.

 

[doug_or]

will Jerry et al sell us all down the river to increase their stock by a half a point? who knows.

Have Jerry et al already sold us down the river to increase their stock by a half point?

How about Brad Holt's Ace?

The penstroke suspension of annual COLA increases?

The Bro guys.

Thanks all for keeping it civil.

 

[BigHangar]

ok, to simplify terms then.

a union can only negotiate what the market will bear.

You said it, you're absolutely right, and you are the behind of the bear. Everyone else suffers because people like you won't bring yourself onto the same market page as the rest. ASA couldn't negotiate very well because the SkyWest market doesn't bear anything else. The parent company has an entire list of pilots who can get bent over at anytime if management wants. If you were not so selfish, you'd be helping your fraternity of pilots by helping them have leverage, with the understanding that some day it would help you out too.

 

[Gr82Aviate]

couldn't agree more.

it seems to all come down to a big unknown on either side.

will Jerry et al sell us all down the river to increase their stock by a half a point? who knows.

will ALPA come in and drag through 3, 4, 5 or more years to deliver us a sub-par contract and then just say 'well, this was your first one. We'll get 'em next time!' who knows.

I'm now in my 4th year at SkyWest. I came from an ALPA regional. I still sing the same tune as when I got here. Being on reserve sucks, but I knew that going in and when I upgraded. That is not the fault or function of an evil, power hungry management that is out to get me. It is part of being a pilot on a seniority list.

I'll agree that some things have deteriorated here, but I blame that more on the industry/economy/market as a whole. It's not just here, it's everywhere. Things blow at Comair right now for lots of folks too compared to 5 or 7 years ago.

Some have in my estimation correctly likened ALPA to having very invasive surgery. A lot of healthy, clean tissue has to be sacrificed and scarred to treat the problem. Long healing has to follow before the patient can return to his previous level of health or hopefully improve.

The issue then becomes 'has bad do we have it? how drastic does our surgery need to be? how long will it take us to heal? what will we lose?' This is where differing opinions fall.

I feel that my overall QOL, pay, benefits and the health of the company is good and poised to remain so in years to come.

I can understand and appreciate those who feel that we are 'sicker' and need more drastic change.

I trust in the democratic process and the collective mind of our pilot group to decide what will be best.

hell, I'll even be on a committee if ALPA is voted in, because if it is, that's it. There is no trial period with a money back guarantee.

You seem to forget one important little detail...Comair was in bancrupcy, Skywest has made even more post 9/11 than they did pre 9/11!

 

[Morning Wood]

no they wouldn't, because no one would do this job under those conditions. the market dictates, not a union. a union is able to make advances or give concessions based on what the market will allow, not the other way around.

would you do this job for less than minimum wage? of course not, no one would. you'd go somewhere where you could make $. if that is what everyone suddenly were to pay, then the whole thing would collapse.

it just doesn't work that simply

I wouldn't be so sure. This is one of the few jobs that people will actually pay money to go work somewhere. Look at Kiwi and ValuJet if you need examples. The shortage that is happening at the regionals is going to force them to lower mins and hire more low-time CFI's with ZERO airline experience.