See ya Big Sky

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Joe Merchant... step away from the egg nog... its spiked!!

 

[profit]

Originally Posted by Ridgeback
As soon as Mair bought BigSky Mesaba Alpa went to the BigSky Pilots ASAP. The Mesaba Alpa reps went there to get them in alpa and on our list. The BigSky pilots told our guys to SHOVE IT. Just think if only the BigSky pilot would have listened to us and come on board you would all have a nice new CRJ 900 to fly as a captain at year three pay around $66.00 per hour.

We already had a union, the UTU. We had asked to join ALPA several years earlier and ALPA told us to BLOW OFF. They didn't tell you that did they? Typical ALPA shortsightedness. If the Big Sky pilots had joined ALPA back then they would have been on the street a lot sooner.

Why would they have been on the street sooner?

Unfortunately, Deadalus is correct about representation. ALPA did screw up bringing in Big Sky (that was about 10 years ago). Its one of those things you learn from, as ALPA did (ask the national officers).

But I don't see the point in continuing the hatred or resentment. When MAIR purchased Big Sky as a "growth vehicle" from the coffers of Mesaba, ALPA had to act. Attempts were made for some COOPERATIVE actions, but they failed. But ALPA wasn't trying to remove the UTU, prior to some public opinion. The unfortunate result years later is the failure (primarily by management) of Big Sky. In the end, it is bad for the employees, but probably good for the industry.

Best of luck to all Big Sky pilots, and may they all find rapid employment before the transfer of flying to Lakes.