Don't introduce facts and logic into this argument........
No more than the logic that lack of bulletproof scope in other contracts was akin to asking for all of the scope erosion that put us here in the first place. 75% of our pilot group wasn't here when the last contract was voted on and the other 25% or so, with everything they knew at the time, their S340s, and some 145s, seeing vast improvement over a terrible previous contract, can't be faulted any more than any other group that's seen something unexpected happen in this transition to larger regional jets.
I'd say (without speaking for anyone in particular here) that the vast majority at RAH
prioritize the profession over the company. At this point, the cat's halfway out of the bag. I've talked with a number of Midwest pilots and I can't think of one who wasn't a decent person getting screwed in a really bad situation. It sucks, and it doubly sucks that we're involved (whether we like it or not at this point) in this debacle, not by our own choice. It's not like we were privy to mgmt's decision, or have yet had the opportunity to do something that would amount to anything other than an illegal work action. But at least based on what's happened so far, would pilots from other regionals (who are loving demonizing us right now) walk from the job, or stage a sick-out or something else based on this? If Midwest strikes... if that's actually viable with 9 mainline a/c and 24 regionals, our contract fully and clearly authorizes us to not fly Midwest colors. I hope that if it comes down to that, Skywest will do the same. Will they? Would Expressjet pilots have walked when the initial 12 a/c agreement and cash influx to Midwest occurred, with people on furlough and planes parked?
Again, if you're not over 50 at this company, you're probably looking towards greener pastures, or you should be. There is nothing about current regional contracts that allow someone to viably have a family or save for retirement or offset the excessive time away from home over the long haul. Since this "large regional" cat is somewhat out of the bag (and that includes 700s and 900s, and possibly 1000s), the best thing we may be able to do if this is the future of regionals, is demand nothing less than parity with any and all pay and workrules found in similar sized mainline aircraft. And perhaps MECs at majors should do a better job of talking amongst each other and act more like a unified union, even if that will never fully happen, to seal up every stupid scope loophole that got us here in the first place.
Just one guy's opinion.
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