scarlet said:
Well Skywest could save money by forming one airline, don't you think??? DOH is just the logical thing to do--as you nor I had anything to do when we were born and got to start training for this great job...as you had NO control of getting hired on that day---and what if MESA comes in and buys all of us--what would you say???? I don't care where I fall, but OUR company would save a boat load of money on salaries health care 401k contributions back ground checks....
Last I checked we're pilots and not airline economists or accountants. Actually I'm not sure if you're really a pilot but that's besides the point. Your theory does not take into account the training costs involved with an integration. Right now you have two separate FOM's and SOP's. One isn't better than the other but you do have differences. The FAA will require everyone to spend some time in class and possibly sim to get with the new program. Much of the backoffice stuff is already being combined according to SEC filed reports and public statements made by SkyWest officials. So much of what you're talking about has already occurred or is in progress.
Tell you what. When you get the America West pilots endorsing DOH for their deal with Airways then I'll sign on. How do you think that would go over? It's hard to believe we have a dues paying ALPA member that just doesn't understand why DOH isn't going to happen and if it did would be biased heavily in favor of ASA. Why should ASA pilots come out ahead of SkyWest pilots?
Like I told someone else you really need to talk to some of your MEC officers and have them explain the ALPA merger manual to you. What you really need to get clued in on is career expectations. And ask yourself what could you have reasonably expected if no merger had occurred. Even some of your fellow pilots have said DOH would not be a fair integration. Here's an excerpt from an earlier post.
An equitable merger protocol would take these factors into account and preserve career expectations.
1. Average ASA pilot is more senior than average SKYW pilot
2. SKYW pilots historically upgrade much faster than ASA pilots, in some cases less than 6 months and generally within 2 or 3 years
3. ASA was rescued from near certain bankruptcy
4. Prior to acquisition ASA pilots had no expectation of UAX flying
5. Prior to acquisition ASA pilots had no expectation of west coast bases
6. Prior to acquisition ASA pilots had no expectation of potential codeshare flying for partner other than DAL. SKYW actively bids for flying with other airlines according to SEC filed documents.
An equitable merger protocol would not harm SKYW pilots the way a pure DOH merger would. An equitable merger protocol would force ASA pilots to make some sort of sacrifice in exchange for the new opportunties offered. In light of the fact that ASA would be bankrupt had they not been purchased by SKYW how can any reasonable person suggest that SKYW pilots should be harmed in the aftermath of a merger? If nothing else relative seniority could be achieved. So if you have someone at the 33.6% pre-merger they are 33.6% after the merger.
okay Dave, Your bullets!
