Mesaba pilot contract summary

[Caveman]

Hmmmm. Good job on the scope. Don't underestimate the importance of that. I'm not impressed with the pay, especially for your FO's. $27 @ hour for a 2nd year CRJ or AVRO FO isn't very good at all. The Saab pay is more in line with what a better paid T-prop FO makes.

The economic environment is better than it was a year ago and improving. I think you guys can do a little better. This is what they gave up to avert a strike. Imagine what they might give to end one, even a short one. In any case, think it over carefully, and then vote your conscience. As an outside observer I'd recommend you vote it down. Good luck. You can count on the Comair pilot group to support you if you decide that this TA isn't good enough.

 

[BoilerUP]

NOT flamebait

I'm new to this whole ALPA/airline pilot contract thing, just started reading "Flying the Line Vol. 2". I absolutely don't intend this to be flamebait, I'm just trying to understand a little better.

Do Mesaba guys flying the Saab really expect to get paid the same or better than Comair CRJ rates? To me, that would seem a little optimistic, given the difference in equipment and the *current* state of the economy. I would expect Mesaba pilots to be the highest paid 20-49 seat turboprop pilots in the industry after ratifying a new contract (both seats), and certainly the Avro drivers should be paid similar to Comair CR7 drivers. 50 seat pay should definately be in the ballpark of CMR and ACA, for both FOs and CAs, as well.

It looks like new hire FOs got the most benefit out of the TA, and if I am not mistaken, was that not the main rallying cry of the pilot group and ALPA? Is $17,000 a year fair?

My question to the XJ pilots here: what realistic Saab, Avro, and CRJ pay scale would a TA have to have for you to vote yes?


Once again, just trying to learn...this CFI supports you guys!

 

[saabtrash]

The pay is good for the saab, but we have rates for 44 and 50 seat jets in there too, those are not good. What would you like for us to get paid?

 

[AvroJockey]

Is it me or are the AVRO fo rates about the same as they were in the original '96 contract?

Your right! I saw this also!

Based on the posts of our ALPA XJ Message board, this TA will certinely be turned down!

There is no way in HELL I'm voting YES!

 

[Stallion]

I agree. No way this group of pilots will vote yes on this pile. Especially after what we have all gone through the last 2.5 yrs. I'm throwing down my NO vote.

 

[T-handle]

Don't spend your strike fund just yet. This TA won't pass, I think that's pretty obvious. We had the balls to take our negotiations this far and we will have even bigger balls to turn it down... and possibly go on strike.

I am so cynical now that I know something even darker went on behind the doors 1 minute before the deadline. NWA intimidated us in 96 to fly the Avro for sh!t and they backed Pinnacle in the coner in 98-99??? to fly the CRJ.... I fockin know NWA big wigs were in that room before the deadline! and something went down. A Golden carrot was presented and they threatened to shut down Mesaba if we declared a strike. Now way in m'f' hell am I going to be Mesa Contract II. I can't live with that for 5 more years and hold my head up in the airport terminals knowing I sold out for Scope? So much for a 98% strike vote and a deadline.

Btw, we're beyond the 30 day cooling period and still legally entitled to engage in Self help. So this sh!t ain't over with.

 

[T-Gates]

Stand up for what you want guys!!!!

We're all still behind you!

 

[DTWFO]

Please don't settle if you aren't happy with it......like he said, we're (9E) behind you 100% and our contract depends on yours as well. Good luck.

 

[cl-65link]

Nothing against your MEC but, at least you have membership ratification. In the end, it's up to the individual pilot.

 

[Fly2Scuba]

Not entirely surprised, but disappointed

Not good by along shot. That Avro may have 69 seats in it, but in reality it's an 80 seat all coach airplane surpassing the CRJ-70. The pay rates should be at least what Air Wisconsin makes. Sick of hearing the arguments the company makes over there that if there was a seperate rate for Saab FOs and Avro FOs, then training cost would skyrocket for transition training. What the heck do the major airlines do in regards to have multiple size airplanes? And per diem, that's been the biggest insult because you layover in sometimes the same cities as NWA and their crews are making correct if I'm wrong over $2.00 hour. Good luck!

 

[trip]

Skywest Pay Scales as of June 28, 2002--still in effect.

First Officer
1st year F.O.---------19.02
2nd year Emb-120----27.42
2nd year CRJ---------34.54

Captain
3rd year Emb-120 Capt.--------48.49

5th year CRJ Capt.-------------65.25
18th year----------------------92.87

Per Diem 1.65 per hour

 

[Stallion]

I'm with you T-handle. I think something ominous went down Friday night just before the deadline. This is so far off from our goals that I'm still in shock. Just wish I hadn't wasted all that time on the phone with Wilson polling. I could have taken a nap and gotten more out of it. An XJ guy who is tired of being bent over.

 

[Xdriver]

Vote it down those pay rates suck!

 

[spinproof]

Does anyone know if the Mesaba MEC is going to do "road shows" to get a better understanding why the TA on such an inferior contract? Could be they just want to relieve themselves of liability!

Don't put away those picket signs just yet!

 

[mesaba2425]

Here are a few quotes I copied from articles in the Star Tribune. It appears that union leadership isn't in touch with the pilots.

-----

"We've had a very, very long and arduous path to get to this point," said Tom Wychor, chairman of the Mesaba unit of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). However, he said, negotiators achieved "good, solid increases" in pay and retirement benefits for Mesaba captains and first officers.

-----

Mesaba pilots and management faced an 11:01 p.m. strike deadline on Friday, but the pilots decided to remain at the bargaining table to reach an agreement. "After the strike deadline when we got this agreement done, we saw the company put a substantial amount of money on the table to make sure that our first-officer pay was corrected and that there was an even amount of money put across the board to increase compensation for all Mesaba pilots," said Kris Pierson, a Mesaba pilot and union spokesman.

-----

The union said the tentative agreement also greatly improves the retirement plan for Mesaba pilots. Union leaders said they are pleased with the new contract because it puts their contract in the top tier with other major regional airlines -- Comair, Air Wisconsin and Atlantic Coast.

-----

Wychor also was gracious in his remarks, saying, "I would like to extend our appreciation to our Mesaba president, John Spanjers, for staying at the table and helping us find a way to meet the goals of our airline and our pilots."

-----