A couple of points,
1) We do not have a rate in our contract for flying an aircraft with greater than 70 seats. If they want to stuff a first class, or more seats in the tube I fly, then they are doing it for one reason........MORE REVENUE! For most of history, airline pilot pay has been based on the capacity to generate revenue. More revenue, more pay. It is a concession to fly the 705 at our current 70 RATES! While I could see the same group of pilots flying it (very few differences compared to the 200-700), I think there ought to be a couple of bucks an hour override, or something similar. I also feel that our F/A's ought to get a premium for the training and service for first class.
2) In Jerry's World, I see more of what happened this winter with airplanes headed to ASA and then shifted to Skywest because of costs. Even though the latest DOT Form 41 data shows that ASA's cost per block hour is $1760 ($322 flight crew) compares to Skywest's cost of $2087 per hour ($327 flight crew). When asked about this differnce in cost, JA claimed the numbers posted to the DOT were BS. Hummm??? So, tell us the truth. OK, I'll tell you. It is all about controlling the union. These last minute shifts are a one, two punch for JA. It beats ASA down, and it lifts up Skywest. Thereby creating a morale that will hopefully keep off the union even though it is costing him more.
If JA really wanted to save money all it would cost him is about 10 bucks. That would cover the cost of a padlock and three feet of chain to wrap around the front door handles of 100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway.
