Skw Asa & Alpa

[atlcrjdriver]

When Jerry purchased ASA he stated the companies would be run separatly for now w/ BL as interim president. If JA was to allow the merging of SKW and ASA to form one pilot list how many of you believe ALPA would survive? After all, both pilot groups would have to vote to keep/form ALPA on property. With faith in ALPA fading on one side and unwanted by many on the other side the vote might not pass in ALPAs favor especially with the ALPA company shrinking in the ranks.

 

[Sinca3]

It would be close for sure!!! I think ALPA would live to pretend another day...

 

[rickair7777]

I'm not sure how that works, but I think it would be hard to remove alpa from ASA, and I think it would be impossible to forcibly integrate the SKW group into an alpa unit unless they voted for alpa first.

 

[Erlanger]

Skywest and ASA will not be merged until ASA is greatly reduced, which is what Skywest, Inc. intends to do. I think it is interesting that Skywest and ASA are not stopping the transistion of pilots from ASA to Skywest.

 

[JoeMerchant]

When Jerry purchased ASA he stated the companies would be run separatly for now w/ BL as interim president. If JA was to allow the merging of SKW and ASA to form one pilot list how many of you believe ALPA would survive? After all, both pilot groups would have to vote to keep/form ALPA on property. With faith in ALPA fading on one side and unwanted by many on the other side the vote might not pass in ALPAs favor especially with the ALPA company shrinking in the ranks.

Very good question atlcrjdriver. This is the essence of why ALPA is opposed to fighting for a single list in our section 6 negotiations. If we were successful as Mesa, CHQ, and EGL were, we would have a representational vote to determine who would represent the new combined pilot group. ALPA doesn't want that because they might just lose the ASA pilots in addition to the SKYW pilots.

We as ASA pilots need to do what is best for ASA pilots, not what is best for ALPA or for "the profession". If it means dumping ALPA, then so be it. A single group, ALPA or not, is better than a shrinking ALPA group IMO.

 

[CJA]

Very good question atlcrjdriver. This is the essence of why ALPA is opposed to fighting for a single list in our section 6 negotiations. If we were successful as Mesa, CHQ, and EGL were, we would have a representational vote to determine who would represent the new combined pilot group. ALPA doesn't want that because they might just lose the ASA pilots in addition to the SKYW pilots.

We as ASA pilots need to do what is best for ASA pilots, not what is best for ALPA or for "the profession". If it means dumping ALPA, then so be it. A single group, ALPA or not, is better than a shrinking ALPA group IMO.

Gee, makes me wonder what ALPA is afraid of! ALPA is losing the battle. And for those of you who want to bash me, most likely I had a lot more deducted out of my check to ALPA than you did! Unless your seniority is under 100.

 

[JoeMerchant]

Gee, makes me wonder what ALPA is afraid of! ALPA is losing the battle. And for those of you who want to bash me, most likely I had a lot more deducted out of my check to ALPA than you did! Unless your seniority is under 100.

ALPA is afraid of losing ASA dues money... that's all.... ALPA doesn't want a single list until they con the Skywest pilots into falling for their snake oil......

 

[pilotnbr1]

Quit ALPA and make a bigger pay increase than BL offered with my saved dues? Sounds good to me..

 

[DoinTime]

After all, both pilot groups would have to vote to keep/form ALPA on property. With faith in ALPA fading on one side and unwanted by many on the other side the vote might not pass in ALPAs favor especially with the ALPA company shrinking in the ranks.

Consider what these guys would be voting on. ASA pilots voting to become nonunion after what ASA management has put them through? Not likely. There may be some disenchantment with ALPA but I don't think they are stupid enough to go without a Union at all. I would also bet that on any given day a strong percentage of Skywest would jump at the chance to Unionize.

My guess would be that a combined list vote would go about 65% for ALPA 35% against. A statistical landslide.

 

[JoeMerchant]

Consider what these guys would be voting on. ASA pilots voting to become nonunion after what ASA management has put them through? Not likely. There may be some disenchantment with ALPA but I don't think they are stupid enough to go without a Union at all. I would also bet that on any given day a strong percentage of Skywest would jump at the chance to Unionize.

My guess would be that a combined list vote would go about 65% for ALPA 35% against. A statistical landslide.

Let's have a vote then. As a 12+ year ALPA member, and an ALPA volunteer, I would gladly vote ALPA off the property for a single list on the Skywest Inc. property. I would rather work for Skywest without ALPA, than Mesa or Pinnacle with ALPA.

 

[BuzzSaw]

What a bunch of nonsense! Get a life...

Would you fly 90 seat CRJ for Brasilia pay too??

BuzzSaw

 

[rickair7777]

I would rather work for Skywest without ALPA, than Mesa or Pinnacle with ALPA.

BTDT, on both counts, and I agree.

 

[JoeMerchant]

BTDT, on both counts, and I agree.

BTDT???? Sorry, don't know that one.

 

[JoeMerchant]

What a bunch of nonsense! Get a life...

Would you fly 90 seat CRJ for Brasilia pay too??

BuzzSaw

If that was the industry rate, then I would until something better came along. The more important question is why is ALPA allowing the 90 seat RJ rate to come down to the Brasilia rate? What is ALPA doing wrong, and can it be reversed?

 

[Dave Benjamin]

Skywest and ASA will not be merged until ASA is greatly reduced, which is what Skywest, Inc. intends to do. I think it is interesting that Skywest and ASA are not stopping the transistion of pilots from ASA to Skywest.

That's pretty arrogant to suggest that someone should be stopping ASA pilots from pursuing employment elsewhere. It's a free country. ASA pilots can apply wherever they want.

 

[SkyNation]

. I would also bet that on any given day a strong percentage of Skywest would jump at the chance to Unionize.

well, it's been over 30 years, and that day hasn't happened. why do you think that is?

 

[Speedtape]

The pilots that are going to Skywest are the ones that want to live out west instead of Atlanta. Most are junior and are not losing much. How many Atlanta pilots have jumped ship to go to Skywest?

JB,
Please list your volunteer positions with Alpa and what you are currently doing? Specifically, what are your proud accomplishments?

 

[Speedtape]

well, it's been over 30 years, and that day hasn't happened. why do you think that is?

It's because there is an ALPA! Do you think your pay and benefits exist because you are a good guy?

If ASA pilots fail in their contract efforts, you better get ready for the ensuing storm! Your little handshake agreement will change overnight!

 

[front9]

Posted by Speedtape If ASA pilots fail in their contract efforts, you better get ready for the ensuing storm! Your little handshake agreement will change overnight.

I've seen stuff like this before from our company, if you "do/dont" do this, (insert bad thing here) will happen to you. Sounds like more doom and gloom from manag...wait this is from a pilot? Dang, we better get ALPA on property fast before all the doom and gloom hits. Under the ALPO umbrella we shall all be protected and saved. Sorry for the sarcasm but I've seen enough of what ALPO & D. Worthless is NOT willing to do for the regional pilot. No thank you.

 

[DoinTime]

well, it's been over 30 years, and that day hasn't happened. why do you think that is?

I said a strong percentage, not a strong majority.

In case you haven't noticed the lack of any meaningful pay raises and the continuation of all flying for 50-seat rates are bringing the Skywest pilot groups compensation levels to around what is the average if not below. Time will tell if your management team will once again hold you in a high enough regard to compensate you with above average earnings.

Gone are the days where Skywest outpaced Union pay scales across the country.

 

[MELIT]

It's because there is an ALPA! Do you think your pay and benefits exist because you are a good guy?

If ASA pilots fail in their contract efforts, you better get ready for the ensuing storm! Your little handshake agreement will change overnight!

Hows your ALPO kool-aid. 4+ years and no contract. Atleast your loyal and like to pay them 2% for nothing.How much was your bonous last year?

 

[twott driver]

Let's have a vote then. As a 12+ year ALPA member, and an ALPA volunteer, I would gladly vote ALPA off the property for a single list on the Skywest Inc. property. I would rather work for Skywest without ALPA, than Mesa or Pinnacle with ALPA.

Well a good start would be to step down from your elected position in the union.

 

[atrdriver]

Hows your ALPO kool-aid. 4+ years and no contract. Atleast your loyal and like to pay them 2% for nothing.How much was your bonous last year?

Are you really stupid enough to believe that without the threat of SOME union forming at Skywest that you would have what you do now? Do you really think that JA thinks so much of you that he is going to pay you any more than he thinks he HAS to? No, ALPA isn't perfect, and yes, it certainly has some problems. But the simple fact is, Skywest pilots have what they have because of the threat of unionization.

 

[outtahere]

If that was the industry rate, then I would until something better came along. The more important question is why is ALPA allowing the 90 seat RJ rate to come down to the Brasilia rate? What is ALPA doing wrong, and can it be reversed?

Some people are leaders and some are followers, you sir are definately not a leader. Actually you sound French, run away and join the other side now.

 

["GO AROUND"]

Hows your ALPO kool-aid. 4+ years and no contract. Atleast your loyal and like to pay them 2% for nothing.How much was your bonous last year?

How long since you guys were promised a 70- 99 seat payrate? Going on 2 years right? What can you guys do about it? Nothing! We are in the process, it may be a snails pace but at least there is a process.

What is your recourse to any changes made to your work rules, etc...?

You sure things would be so rosey there if the union groups were'nt always raising the bar for you?

Why sould we settle for anything less than you guys have at our sister company? Our Perf Plus would be based on base pay and yours off gross pay. Just one of many things offered that is sub par to SKW pilots.

Cause they know if we take it they will do it to you and there is no recourse.

My 2% goes for all the benifits that ALPA national provides to me if I need them one day in addition to my local union. Legal, Medical, etc...Not to mention all the group rate insurance's that they offer me that can not even be come close to by you looking for yourself.

So don't play the what has ALPA done for me for my 2%. You would have to be pretty stupid to think that the local representation is all I'm paying dues for. But I guess you are. Right?

ALPA is far from perfect, but if the managments out there, besides yours according to you, didn't necessitate the need for it then things would be different.

If we could DEFER our managment like a broken part on the airplanes we fly, we would. Cause in the eyes of all but a few here they are not needed for the operation of our company.

 

[outtahere]

While I agree that ALPA is a servant serving two masters, it is still better than no union at all. With the mgmt. we have at ASA we would all be working for minimum wage with six days off a month. We do however need our own regional union who has our best interests at heart.

 

["GO AROUND"]

Some people are leaders and some are followers, you sir are definately not a leader. Actually you sound French, run away and join the other side now.

outtahere,

Getting off subject about the French. Did anyone see the Ted Nugent interview by the French reporter?

If you didn't, the reporter kept asking him about the hunting he did and how cruel it is to hunt. Implying that Ted hunted for just the sport.

The reporter asked Ted "do you think deer and animals think and have feelings? What do you think the deer that you are going to shoot is feeling while you are trying to kill him?"

Teds response was "Well, I don't hunt for the sport, but if the deer is thinking anything it's, what am I going to eat next, who am I going to screw next and how fast do I have run to get away from something threatening me." "Kinda like the French, right?"

It was classic!!!

 

[outtahere]

outtahere,

Getting off subject about the French. Did anyone see the Ted Nugent interview by the French reporter?

If you didn't, the reporter kept asking him about the hunting he did and how cruel it is to hunt. Implying that Ted hunted for just the sport.

The reporter asked Ted "do you think deer and animals think and have feelings? What do you think the deer that you are going to shoot is feeling while you are trying to kill him?"

Teds response was "Well, I don't hunt for the sport, but if the deer is thinking anything it's, what am I going to eat next, who am I going to screw next and how fast do I have run to get away from something threatening me." "Kinda like the French, right?"

It was classic!!!

Sounds just like Joe Merchant!

 

[WWEfan]

As a 12+ year ALPA member, and an ALPA volunteer, I would gladly vote ALPA off the property for a single list on the Skywest Inc. property.

I have a question. JM, what do you currently do for ALPA? I've been attending the various LEC meetings and have never heard your name brought up.

 

[WWEfan]

While I agree that ALPA is a servant serving two masters, it is still better than no union at all. With the mgmt. we have at ASA we would all be working for minimum wage with six days off a month. We do however need our own regional union who has our best interests at heart.

A regional union would not have nearly the resources of ALPA. Believe it or not the association provides so much more than just representation. i.e. life insurance, loss of license/medical insurance, legal, aeromedical, contingency funds, etc. The list goes on.