I've done the math. This little Brady Bunch moment will cost me about 80 grand. I was willing to let it go until turds like Raj start demanding I pay BACK dues.
Raj and his very small minority buds won't get their wish-the LOAs are firmly in place. The vast majority of us want to minimize any impact. In fact, we are also in favor of the protections afforded you. I just wish we were given some good deals as well, as the fences in place prevent the vast majority from ever seeing the left seat of any G.
Who promised NJI would stay separate? RTS, when it fit his plans. Who agreed to single carrier status? RTS, when it fit his plans. And do you know what RTS told us while those upgades went on? He lied to us saying they weren't really captains until their a/c was on the line, and were paid FO wages. We didn't get the truth till early last year. Place your angst where it belongs. Honest question-why are there permanent FOs?
Your pay protection provides the higher of CBA or your current plan, including established annual increases, regardless of your choice. That goes until the next CBA, possibly not until 2016 or beyond. Under the CBA, get home one minute after midnight, regardless who's fault, gets you about 2 grand at your scale (I have the same longevity as you). Holiday pay is about 1 grand/day. Day one OT, when it happens, is huge. I think you will be pleasantly suprised with the real tangibles. In fact, with the legs you guys fly, I'll bet after midnights are not infrequent. I've had 4 this year already. Get home after noon on your first scheduled day off and you get the first day of your next tour off as well, in addition to the pay.
Another little extra applies once you accumulate a minimum number of sick days. You accumulate 12 per year. You can option to sell back sick days, and if you sell at least 5 days, you are paid 110% of your daily rate, paid in early Feb each year. It all adds up.
Per diem is indeed a benefit. I made over 5 grand last year (99% domestic)-tax free-which is twice what I paid in dues. Yea, Kona ain't cheap, but you still get crew food in addition to per diem, and have the option of going on receipts. Anywhere outside the lower 48 is considered international, at 60/day. That will more than pay your dues, thus no "reduction" in pay as you surmise. The dues tax deduction is another issue-approximately 800 hundred net reduction in federal obligation, which also offsets the dues.
Once you are more familiar with the CBA, you will be more comfortable and your concerns will prove unwarranted. In fact, one of your very senior guys lives right next door to me, and he is quite comfortable with the system after it was explained to him and a number of others present in their meeting in Savahna a month or two ago with union and company reps.
Please understand I am simply trying to address your concerns and help your transition. Any beef I have with merger details I have with those responsible-not our fellow pilots.