Colganite weighing in...
I think the SLI could have taken a number of different routes, as all were laid out by Bloch in the decision document. Obviously, some had more merit than others. I think the SLI that Bloch determined was fair. Lots of elements to take into account (Mesaba being the most senior group and highest earners, plus the best elements of a CBA that brought windfall to the 3 groups, especially at Colgan; PNCL with the largest pilot group and largest fleet but wide range of seniority and low wages compared to the industry; Colgan with relatively 'new' pilot group that soley flew turboprops but had a growing fleet despite no CBA and low wages). Colgan had the most to gain.
Do I think the most senior Colgan pilots should have had relative seniority right off the bat and go fly a CRJ-900? No, that's not very reasonable when you look at career expectations pre-merger. That wouldn't be fair whatsoever to the very senior groups at MSBA and PNCL that already fly that a/c and had the expectation to keep doing so and earning what they earn. I think the middle-to-pretty senior Colgan CAs made out the best (myself included; I did lose about 12% relative seniority). "Status and Category" seemed to be the predominant theme. A PNCL friend that was hired around the same time I was is about 200 #s junior to me (I don't understand this). He's a CRJ-200 Captain. Perhaps the best element of the SLI is the 5-year fences and the staffing stipulation #s that will be adhered to going forward, protecting the current flying.
I think the vast number of CJC pilots would agree that QOL, pay, benefits, protections, etc., these days are light years better now than a few years ago. Our career expectations pre-merger were different than the MSBA and PNCL groups. I think things have worked out favorably through the JCBA and SLI for a pilot of my seniority at CJC.
...My .02.
I think the SLI could have taken a number of different routes, as all were laid out by Bloch in the decision document. Obviously, some had more merit than others. I think the SLI that Bloch determined was fair. Lots of elements to take into account (Mesaba being the most senior group and highest earners, plus the best elements of a CBA that brought windfall to the 3 groups, especially at Colgan; PNCL with the largest pilot group and largest fleet but wide range of seniority and low wages compared to the industry; Colgan with relatively 'new' pilot group that soley flew turboprops but had a growing fleet despite no CBA and low wages). Colgan had the most to gain.
Do I think the most senior Colgan pilots should have had relative seniority right off the bat and go fly a CRJ-900? No, that's not very reasonable when you look at career expectations pre-merger. That wouldn't be fair whatsoever to the very senior groups at MSBA and PNCL that already fly that a/c and had the expectation to keep doing so and earning what they earn. I think the middle-to-pretty senior Colgan CAs made out the best (myself included; I did lose about 12% relative seniority). "Status and Category" seemed to be the predominant theme. A PNCL friend that was hired around the same time I was is about 200 #s junior to me (I don't understand this). He's a CRJ-200 Captain. Perhaps the best element of the SLI is the 5-year fences and the staffing stipulation #s that will be adhered to going forward, protecting the current flying.
I think the vast number of CJC pilots would agree that QOL, pay, benefits, protections, etc., these days are light years better now than a few years ago. Our career expectations pre-merger were different than the MSBA and PNCL groups. I think things have worked out favorably through the JCBA and SLI for a pilot of my seniority at CJC.
...My .02.
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