Current contract not bad after all? With the exception of the payrates and a terrible trip averaging formula, it's not. Both those two exceptions should be enough to convince this group that we need improvements.
During my first year here, I had an opportunity to sit down with two of the then-negotiating committee members. We had a candid discussion about what I was looking for as a "newbie" Spirit guy and what they were aiming to accomplish in negotiations. I told them that I was open-minded and would be willing to hear them out on the pros and cons of a preferential bidding system, along with other "progressive" language in terms of historical CBAs. I can be a bit of an idealist, and I was willing to listen to "win-win" stategies that would better both the pilot group and the airline.
What changed? Frankly, a continuous hammering by airline management on every aspect of our current CBA in an effort to squeeze anything out of me and my colleagues. From pay calculations to hotel accommodations during training events to scheduling, we have taken beating after beating that has left us mentally exhausted.
But for me, part of their plan backfired. My open-mindedness and spirit of working together is lost. I no longer trust this airline to do anything that benefits us both-- only them. Pref bidding? Over my dead body. For 8 months they gave me a glimpse of what to expect if I allow them more control over my schedule. You want to redefine how my vacation is calculated? Nope, I like my current system, thank you. You want my 4-days off provision gone? You wouldn't be able to afford me at the payrate I'd demand.
So there was a time when I would have considered voting on a "industry progessive" TA, but that's passed. I'll stick with language that I know and understand (with more concise language, of course...I think we've learned our lesson on that). Would I sign on for a modified agreement consistent with our current one? Sure would, with 121-carrier industy standard or better CA rates. FO rates tied to these rates as a more-realistic percentage. And COLA provisions. Better do something about these 30-hour sits I'm doing in BOS/ORD/MCO/etc., 'cause I wanna get paid for that too.
Reading over C9000, I haven't lost my perspective. If anything, I moved my line in the sand up just a bit. This race to the bottom has to stop, and if I have to do it with my feet and a sign, so be it. The pilot group did not cause this rift. The old MEC didn't. Nor did the new MEC. It was management (aka Indigo), and I'll send them my response in the form of a vote.
gator
