Skywest..ALPA?

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Take a chill pill man. The videos are funny.

Copy.. switching to chillin mode... they are funny...

I take it you like paying 2% of your income to keep your job also! No shame in that.

If I don't pay my taxes then I won't have the civil resources I need such as police, fire, etc....

Same with the dues... I do see the value in the 2%.

A concern is the new kids with 200 hours who are coming into the industry... there are realities to this career..and unionfacts.com is not one of them...

 

[rtmcfi]

Those videos are pretty funny. That said, I am betting all of those actors/actresses are card carrying members of the SAG (screen actors guild, aka the actors union). Despite my stunning good looks and quick wit, hollywood has yet to discover me. So I could be wrong about the SAG in relations to political commercials.

 

[ERJFO]

What ALPA has done for me

WHAT ALPA HAS DONE FOR ME:

1) Created one of the best contracts as far as work rules and compensation for 50 seat RJ pilots in the US for our pilot group to vote on. It was ratified.

2) Created multiple LOA's making our contract better in the few years since it was signed. Some were ratified, including one that clarified a commuter policy and improved reserve/line holder work rules. Another was voted down by the pilot group.

3) One of the above mentioned LOA's was a contract extension that was ratified by the pilot group. The extension also contained a few changes to our contract making it better for both line holders and reserves. Some of these changes dealt with trip-ownership, trip check-in, and an "aggressive pick-up" window for reserves was created. This LOA also included a subsection for charter operations so that charter flights would not be conducted as regular line flights (like they were in the past). Provisions included home-basing for charter pilots, a large override of almost $20 and hour, 14 protected days off, and a line value guarantee of 90 hours.

4) Won an arbitration against the company, because the company was not following one part of the above mentioned contract correctly due to a software issue. Retro pay and a reasonable implementation timeline were included in that deal.

ALPA has also helped countless other's by getting their medicals back, getting their jobs back, and keeping their jobs after unfortunate events. As far as I am concerned it's been well worth my 2% every month. Ask the two FEDEX pilots fired after they ran off a runway in the South Pacific if they are glad they have ALPA? I'm sure they'll tell you that after the thousands of dollars ALPA spent on litigation/court costs (all to no cost of the pilots) getting them their jobs back they are glad they spent their 2% each month.

It doesn't matter who ya work for. alpa won't help you! Tell us, who have they helped since 911?

Sorry I didn't get that to you sooner.

 

[HelloNewman]

Well, you just have shown your true colors, Newmann. It look like your management has decided to violate FEDERAL LAW, and you support that action. So not only are you a lazy, self-centered SOB, but you believe that federal law (the RLA) can just be trampled all over. You sir, are a piece of work.

Rekks

I do not believe the law says the company has to assist in any way shape or form. They are asking for unreasonable things period end of sentance. They want to use company resources to spread their propoganda. There are fliers up everywhere, they post all over the company boards and they always harass the newhires. If anyone is violating federal law it is the union for trying to intimidate the pilots into signing cards. The company has not interferred in any way. They certainly do not have to make the unions job easier. The union has to find a way to get their message out, the company does not have to assist at all. Federal law has not been violated. This is just a pathetic attempt for the OC to muster up interest in this already dying drive. The response from the pilots is lukewarm at best. They think ALPA is focusing on the wrong things, something they do very well.

They say want 70% of the cards back. Last time they had 70 % they still got voted down anyway.Thank god for that. I dare say that SkyWest would probably be out of buisness like ACA if that union drive passed in 1999. Basically the majority is not interested in actually voting for the union so this drama with letters back and forth is just one desperate gasp of air trying to keep intrest alive. It is actually turning people off.

[Quot=exskydiverdrivr]
Dude I'm really beginning to think your not ORD, I think your really SGU. Or do you plan on fast tracking your way into a Mgmnt. position if the drive fails. Do us all a favor newman- Go jet is hiring street captains.. [/Quote]

I do not work in SGU however I would not have a problem working in management. The people down there are quite nice. Pilots hate management because management deals in the real world not a pilot fantasy land. I won't leave here just because people disagree with my anti union view. I love the city of chicago and do not plan on leaving anytime soon. Feel free to leave though when the union drive fails.

 

[Exskydiverdrivr]

I won't give you the pleasure boy! So 6 time off requests in a row denied and I'm not livin in the real world? 97 hour line next mo. with forced flying (non commutable on the front side every week). PBS say's it was my first choice too! The only thing I'll agree with you on so far is that most of the people in SGU probably are nice guy's.

On that note- when you do boot-lick your way into a Mgmt position, please have the balls to announce it pubically! I bet you won't do it- you'll just keep hiding behind your little avatar.

Right now it sucks that I actually like Family Guy....

 

[~~~^~~~]

I would not have a problem working in management. The people down there are quite nice. Pilots hate management because management deals in the real world not a pilot fantasy land.

Oh? I remember it was me who was in the left seat of the jet with a NQP pilot when the braking action reports were poor and our hold over time was less time than it takes you to collect your thoughts. At that same moment management was at home, enjoying a hot cup of cocoa with their wives, having completed their work day.

When I was in management and made mistakes, there was always this little key that said "backspace" that would undo 99% of my errors without anyone being the wiser and more serious errors were often overlooked by my superiors as part of the learning curve. There were meetings, but no checkrides.

I'm not sure where "pilot fantasy land" is, but I think I would like to go there... I imagine that this "fantasy land" probably doesn't involve 05:30 duty ins, 14 hour days, lines with 330 hours away from base and immediate and long lasting consequences for innocent omissions. I imagine there would be no involuntary junior manning and comfortable quiet hotel rooms. There would be no lousy, unhealthy, food and no Doctors probing my neither-regions looking for goodness knows what. There would be no long waits on on the curb in the sleet, or 130 degree cockpits with deferred parts of the ECS. Certainly there would be no getting the smoking room and Jeppesen updates, or late bags.

When "successful" airline CEO's are on their third DUI while raking in millions for their perfomance spending millions on failed merger attempts & retirement funding grabs - I can't say I understand how you believe pilots are in "fantasy land" while those with office views are dealing with the "reality" of line operations.

How is it that pilots are in "fantasy land" when we are the productive part of the company? We produce the product, we earn the revenue. Why is it that airlines' gate agents, rampers, pilots and all of us who serve the customer are allegedly in "fantasy land" while those who only step foot in an airport occassionally are face to face with "reality?"

Newman, if you don't mind the question - how long have you been around this business? Yes, it takes management, and thankfully SkyWest management is a whole lot better connected to reality than you are.

 

[Gobi Gred]

Hellownewman, What did ALPA at ACA have to do with them going out of business? It was management's call to go independent. The sucess or failure of an airline is solely dependent on the people running it. Any airline that has failed in the last thirty years has been because of the dumba** who was in charge.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Fins.. no matter what.... despite the fact that we are in a million pieces on the side of a mountain... management will go home and sleep in thier own beds...

 

[ERJFO]

Hellownewman, What did ALPA at ACA have to do with them going out of business? It was management's call to go independent. The sucess or failure of an airline is solely dependent on the people running it. Any airline that has failed in the last thirty years has been because of the dumba** who was in charge.

True, the pilots also turned down another concesionary deal that would have helped the company.

 

[rtmcfi]

I do not believe the law says the company has to assist in any way shape or form. They are asking for unreasonable things period end of sentance.

Please tell us these unreasonable demands that ALPA is placing on the company.

 

[Brazilgun]

It depends on what measuring stick you use...

If you look at ALPA in terms of what is the organization doing for me right now, then you can look at those tangible items.

What you don't see what ALPA does for the profession is much more profound. But in order to "see" you have to look. You have to activate.

ALPA is a political organization, not personal assistant to your career. ALPA doesn't wash you, put on your uniform and open coach door like a 18th Century Lordship would be treated....

There are many things that ALPA does nationally and internationally that most pilots don't know about. Why? Because pilot refuse to get connected. There are forces and changes occuring constantly, such as Open Skies, that effect your career. What do you know about Open Skies?

There are events, such as making a terrorist act akin to striking, that are stopped that you don't hear about, but if a legal job action were equating to an act of terrorism then you ability to negotiate a better BA would be seriously hampered..

Also, there is an expectation of ALPA, whether it is real or not, that ALPA is supposed to protect ones career. Well, yes, but it is not that simple and easy. In addition, management and the FAA doesn't have an obligation to listen to a pilots concern. ALPA does.

I appreciate your answer. I agree with you. I know ALPA has done more then just try to provide better TA for the pilots. I just don't think that ALPA alone made those changes. They only occurred because the pilot group spoke up about it. I strong believe that if we have a major issue today, the pilots can speak up and could get things done, regardless if you're ALPA, teamster, SAPA, Southwest Union, etc.
I don't have anything against ALPA. At Mesa(my previous airline) things were bad, but they would have been much worst without ALPA. I just don't understand this "fever" about getting ALPA on Skywest. I don't drink the koolaid they give us here, I just simply think with ALPA things will take a turn for the worst.
I said it once and I will say again. If you can prove to me things will be better here with ALPA around, I will vote tomorrow morning.

 

[SkyNation]

I just don't understand this "fever" about getting ALPA on Skywest. I just simply think with ALPA things will take a turn for the worst.
I said it once and I will say again. If you can prove to me things will be better here with ALPA around, I will vote tomorrow morning.

you are in the majority in your feelings. when it comes down to it, most of us (many former ALPA) realize that even though it's not perfect, what we have here at SkyWest is really good.

 

[Gr82Aviate]

I appreciate your answer. I agree with you. I know ALPA has done more then just try to provide better TA for the pilots. I just don't think that ALPA alone made those changes. They only occurred because the pilot group spoke up about it. I strong believe that if we have a major issue today, the pilots can speak up and could get things done, regardless if you're ALPA, teamster, SAPA, Southwest Union, etc.
I don't have anything against ALPA. At Mesa(my previous airline) things were bad, but they would have been much worst without ALPA. I just don't understand this "fever" about getting ALPA on Skywest. I don't drink the koolaid they give us here, I just simply think with ALPA things will take a turn for the worst.
I said it once and I will say again. If you can prove to me things will be better here with ALPA around, I will vote tomorrow morning.

You mean like the fantastic 0%, or even better 1% pay increase SAPA negotiated for a 101/2 year time frame?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I appreciate your answer. I agree with you. I know ALPA has done more then just try to provide better TA for the pilots. I just don't think that ALPA alone made those changes. They only occurred because the pilot group spoke up about it. I strong believe that if we have a major issue today, the pilots can speak up and could get things done, regardless if you're ALPA, teamster, SAPA, Southwest Union, etc.

You have a point...up to a point. Recall that SWAPA, APA and NPA purchase critical services to negotiate thier contracts. Also the NTSB invites ALPA to accident investigations even if it wasn't an ALPA pilot flying the jet. No other pilot group is routinely invited to be party. ALPA has been called by a former FAA Administrator- the conscious of the airline industry.

The airline industry is global now. Taking an isolationist position is what the Skywest pilots are doing and its going to come back to haunt.

Everyting that effects your career is determined at some point, some way, on Capitol Hill. What are the Skywest pilots doing on CapHill? Not much if anything at all.

With the new Open Skies deal that is coming and the massive changes that could effect Skywest pilots, they will have no say in thier future. Whether that future is at Skywest or a career destination.

I don't have anything against ALPA. At Mesa(my previous airline) things were bad, but they would have been much worst without ALPA. I just don't understand this "fever" about getting ALPA on Skywest. I don't drink the koolaid they give us here, I just simply think with ALPA things will take a turn for the worst.
I said it once and I will say again. If you can prove to me things will be better here with ALPA around, I will vote tomorrow morning.

Is the above that I've said enough? If not... tell me why.

 

[sweptback]

True, the pilots also turned down another concesionary deal that would have helped the company.

More correctly, the pilots turned down a concessionary deal because they knew it wouldn't help the company. It would just be used as a benchmark at other airlines.

 

[ArcticFlier]

Here is another example. Letter just dropped today by the OC.



Who the hell do these people think they are? Have any pilots complained about the lack of ALPA information available? They call us all the time, they are always talking to newhires, they have fliers everywhere. Did they have access to V-files during the last campaign? If not why didn't they complain then? There is also a right to not be bombarded with union crap. These guys are really something else. I have never heard any pilot complain about the stuff these guys are whining about. What a waste of resources. There is no where in the RLA that says the company has to help ALPA get voted in. That is ALPAs job to convince us to vote for them. So far they are doing a piss poor job, especially with letters like this.

The tone just keeps getting more and more hostile. More and more pilots are getting fed up with crap like this. They are only hurting their cause not helping it. BTW still waiting for that VARS update that was due over a week ago. They are terrible at keeping promises but good at trying to ruin our relationship with management.

I'm confused. What does a letter from ALPA have to do with your attempt to speak for me (see post 62)? Time and again you use words like 'we' and 'us'. Try on the word 'me' or 'I' next time. I'm tired of your need to validate your worthless, short-sighted opinions by saying that you speak for the pilot group at SkyWest.

There is also a right not to be bombarded with union crap

You don't have a right to not be bombarded by 'union crap'. You have the right to throw it in the trash prioir to reading it, however.

I have never heard any pilot complain.........blah, blah, blah

You apparently don't pay attention to anyone but yourself, do you?

.......but good at trying to ruin our relationship with management

You mean the one-sided, shove PBS down our throats, change the rules regarding how we get paid for cancelled legs relationship? Sounds kind of like the relationship one has with a spouse that has become an overbearing, holy-than-thou know-it-all like you.

 

[SkyNation]

Arctic

My life has gotten much better since PBS came on. I make more than my friends at other airlines who are similar to us. I am happy here, and feel like we have a good thing going overall.

so, who speaks for 'us' or 'we' at SkyWest, you or me? neither? both?

it's stupid to argue, of course everyone's situation is different. as for the ALPA debate, if more people feel like you, then it should sail through to a majority vote. if not, it will falter. we can only wait and see.

in the mean time, many ALPA carriers are hiring. I've worked at one, have you?

(no, it wasn't Mesa)

 

[ArcticFlier]

Quite frankly, you haven't got a freakin' clue how I feel about ALPA. You may assume that I'm for ALPA, given my tag below......................but what you don't know is my motivations. Stop with the assumptions as they make an ass out of you. I've seen what ALPA has done to many people............right or wrong. In my case...............take a guess............................can't can you? Where do I stand? If I took the emo stand, I'd be anti ALPA. If I took the intellectual stand...............where would I be? Answer that, my friend. Again, you can't.................from an educated standpoint. I'm tired of HelloNewman attempting to speak for all of us at SkyWest............that is all............


Normal Speed,

 

[SkyNation]

ouch! touchy, touchy.

ok, so where do you stand?

(honest question)

 

[CFIT]

Artic,
An extensive survey was conducted concerning PBS, and as a surprise it had substantial amount of participation considering much of our pilot group has been tagged as apithetic. If I recall there were well over 1500 pilots that responded. The high majority had given a PBS a strong vote of approval, and when asked if they had a choice to return to the previous built line format wanted to remain with PBS.

Although I am not a real big fan of PBS either, and very senior, I think it's an improvement.