Since most of us -- regardless of which company we fly for -- are being faced (yet again) with airline management slithering back to the pilot groups begging for concessions I thought it would merit some discussion regarding the repercussions of saying, "Heck No!"
Everyone knows that so-called "regional" airline pilots, especially first officers, can ill-afford to offer any concessions in compensation or quality of life. But, unfortunately, management has asked and it is up to the MECs at our respective companies to listen to their proposals and respond in what they perceive to be the best interests of the pilot group.
So the question I would like to pose is:
What do you believe management will do if your MEC tells them, "Thanks but no thanks -- we'll see you when this contract expires."?
I think we can all agree that they won't simply pack up and say, "Well gosh guys. Thanks for your time. Hope you understand we had to ask." and then go back to headquarters and sulk.
My personal opinion is that they will go back to HQ, open up Airline Management For Dummies, and turn to the chapter entitled, "Hostages, Reductions, and Other Pressure Tactics".
At US Airways one of the more vocal Captains labled these tactics "FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt".
What he meant was that management would enact a series of events which was meant to divide the pilot group and create an atmosphere of fear. It was designed to cause the group to become uncertain of the stability of their company and, more importantly their jobs, and to cause them to doubt their pilot leadership.
The simplest way for them to so is to furlough pilots. This has a far reachest effect on any pilot seniority list since it impact the vast majority of any pilot group as it has the net effect of dragging seniority downward.
I/E: Junior pilots (obviously) lose their jobs. Blockholders become reserves. Captains downgrade to F/Os. etc...
Most of our contracts are somewhat limited in language that would protect us from the transfer of flying, return of leased aircraft etc.
For example, what if (during negotiations) management decided to return all of your company's Saab's to the lessor. Obviously there might now be a glut of pilots -- but no way to force the company to acquire new airplanes. Since all of us are part of a "portfolio" of carriers now, it seems likely that one of the other affiliate carriers would pick up the slack. We see it nearly everywhere in the industry right now.
You get the idea.
So anyhow -- back to the question at hand.
If/When management comes to you and asks for concessions and you say, Not only NO but HECK no! what do you believe their response will be?
1. How will their response impact you and your career?
2. How will it impact the junior pilots on their seniority list?
3. How will their response impact the unity of your pilot group and therefore your stregnth and resolve as a group? (if junior pilots suddenly face furlough)
4. What will your MEC do to foster unity throughout the pilot group?
5. What will your MEC do to prevent, minimize, or mitigate potential furloughs?
6. Does your MEC have a plan that goes beyond "Heck No" and are they prepared to deal with the reality that management will take hostages? Do they have a plan?
7. or am I full of it... will management quietly go home and not come back until the contract is up?
Hopefully this topic will start a discussion on how to defend our profession and keep what we have during what I believe will be the most aggressive attack on our contracts in a decade.
Everyone knows that so-called "regional" airline pilots, especially first officers, can ill-afford to offer any concessions in compensation or quality of life. But, unfortunately, management has asked and it is up to the MECs at our respective companies to listen to their proposals and respond in what they perceive to be the best interests of the pilot group.
So the question I would like to pose is:
What do you believe management will do if your MEC tells them, "Thanks but no thanks -- we'll see you when this contract expires."?
I think we can all agree that they won't simply pack up and say, "Well gosh guys. Thanks for your time. Hope you understand we had to ask." and then go back to headquarters and sulk.
My personal opinion is that they will go back to HQ, open up Airline Management For Dummies, and turn to the chapter entitled, "Hostages, Reductions, and Other Pressure Tactics".
At US Airways one of the more vocal Captains labled these tactics "FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt".
What he meant was that management would enact a series of events which was meant to divide the pilot group and create an atmosphere of fear. It was designed to cause the group to become uncertain of the stability of their company and, more importantly their jobs, and to cause them to doubt their pilot leadership.
The simplest way for them to so is to furlough pilots. This has a far reachest effect on any pilot seniority list since it impact the vast majority of any pilot group as it has the net effect of dragging seniority downward.
I/E: Junior pilots (obviously) lose their jobs. Blockholders become reserves. Captains downgrade to F/Os. etc...
Most of our contracts are somewhat limited in language that would protect us from the transfer of flying, return of leased aircraft etc.
For example, what if (during negotiations) management decided to return all of your company's Saab's to the lessor. Obviously there might now be a glut of pilots -- but no way to force the company to acquire new airplanes. Since all of us are part of a "portfolio" of carriers now, it seems likely that one of the other affiliate carriers would pick up the slack. We see it nearly everywhere in the industry right now.
- At US Airways Express Piedmont and Allegheny are being slowly disolved while PSA, Chautauqua, and especially Mesa grow exponentially.
- At American Eagle management tried to transfer aircraft to Chautauqua and Trans-States.
- At ASA the Brasilias are being parked and Chautauqua is picking up additional flying in Dallas and Orlando.
- At Northwest Airlink Mesaba was recently "left out" of a regional-jet order that was placed for Pinacle.
- Air Wisconsin is being threatened with the termination of their code-share if they do not agree to concessions. Chautauqua, according to this message board, stands ready to order EMB170s to replace them.
You get the idea.
So anyhow -- back to the question at hand.
If/When management comes to you and asks for concessions and you say, Not only NO but HECK no! what do you believe their response will be?
1. How will their response impact you and your career?
2. How will it impact the junior pilots on their seniority list?
3. How will their response impact the unity of your pilot group and therefore your stregnth and resolve as a group? (if junior pilots suddenly face furlough)
4. What will your MEC do to foster unity throughout the pilot group?
5. What will your MEC do to prevent, minimize, or mitigate potential furloughs?
6. Does your MEC have a plan that goes beyond "Heck No" and are they prepared to deal with the reality that management will take hostages? Do they have a plan?
7. or am I full of it... will management quietly go home and not come back until the contract is up?
Hopefully this topic will start a discussion on how to defend our profession and keep what we have during what I believe will be the most aggressive attack on our contracts in a decade.