Re: You just answered your own point.
WileE said:
Yes all scope clauses are written by ALPA lawyers. The difference with THIS scope clause and all the others is that the company lawyers did NOT trash it. In fact they did not even get a chance to change a single word. Why is that so difficult to get through your head? All the other clauses in the past were negotiated with the company lawyers, allowing the company to work out the loopholes and clauses they wanted. None of that happened here, that's the whole point. This is ALPA's dream scope, not a compromise like everyone else has.
My friend, if it makes you happy that's great.
Do you honestly believe that because it was accepted "as is" by management that equates to perfection? That only means that it does not, at this time, contain anything that your management did not want. If and when, in the future, it conflicts with managements' effort to do business, they will find a way around it, just as they (and others) have all other scope clauses preceeding it.
Don't overlook the fact of why you got into this situation in the first place, i.e., because ALPA lawyers at USAirways, wrote a "perfect scope clause" that prevented MESA from doing business with a third party. MESA responded by creating Freedom, an entity not bound by
that "perfect" scope clause.
That scope clause also gave MESAG the opportunity to use the "new alter ego" as leverage against you at the bargaining table. As a result, your ALPA lawyers were forced to write yet another "perfect scope clause". Bravo. What were you forced to do?
Give up all significant potential gains in your CBA, settle for substandard wages, work rules and benefits, accept abrogation of your seniority through "Jets for Jobs"
The "best scope in the business" (formerly at USAirways) was truly effective in keeping out the RJs -- and also contributed to the bankruptcy of the airline. Now it has been replaced. A new alter ego has been put in place at USAirGroup and the outsourcing of USAirways flying is greater than ever before or than anyone else.
You, will "benefit" from that -- you'll get more flying. Half of that flying will go to pilots from another airline, and all that you have to give up to get it is your seniority at your own airline, the contract improvements that you probably could have negotiated, and a large dose of your self respect (which apparently doesn't matter to you). However, you did get the "new and improved perfect scope clause"; until the next round.
That other one (at USAG) was once "ALPA's dream scope" as well. Looks like the dream has turned out to be a nightmare -- for MESA, for Chautauqua, for PDT, for ALG, for PSA, for the furloughed Midway pilots and TSA is next.
I'm happy that you like it, and I wish you nothing but the best. Looks like you're going to pay a big price for "ALPA's dream scope". To me, it seems to have come at too high a price, for far too many and much too late.
But, what do I know? Nothing. I'm just a cynic - "A blaggard who see things as they are rather than as they ought to be." - Voltaire
PS. For the record -- I am NOT blaming MESA pilots for anything. I don't agree with all the "MESA bashing" in these threads, and I think the MESA pilots are just the "victims" of the hour. You guys are in a very tough spot at a very tough time. It's not your fault. If there's anyone to blame in this mess, it may well be the "union" that created it all.
