SkyWest - USA Today

[reno]

http://skywestalpa.org/oc_graphics/usa_today.jpg

 

[BigHangar]

http://skywestalpa.org/oc_graphics/usa_today.jpg

That is a great letter.

SkyWest pilots you should be proud of yourselves. You have done so well for your company. In talking with many of you as I have, I can see that the vast majority are already on board with being fairly represented in our profession. Hopefully you can persuade the minority to the just cause at hand.

It is amazing to me to think that if I was staring this issue in the face as some of the hard-headed anti-union pilots are, that 80,000 plus pilots would have to be wrong. A few pilots that are anti-union must be right, can you imagine that?

Guys, just be a little bit humble for a moment as you think about that. If you don't want a union on property, then you have to ask yourself the question, why don't you. Why are you thinking so differently than the majority of pilots out there? There must be a good reason and you should do everything you can to find out. Don't be offended and don't dig in your heels just because you've been seeing it a certain way for so long. It takes a great person to have believed something for so long to only come to the conclusion they he or she was wrong that entire time. Have the courage to go forward with the rest of us so that we can take care of our families as our managements do. That is what this is all about. Having representation just as any other educated, hard working, and high skilled profession should have.

Don't forget what happened at Colgan. They were sure the union was going to be voted in, so they took and election type of mentality and many left it up to their peers to do the voting, but as we know, a person who doesn't cast a ballot is a 'NO' vote. They lost their chance. Don't let that happen to you. Make sure everyone sends in their ballots. Some of you might even have to fight for this right a little bit more because you may not receive a ballot, as the NMB is pretty bad at mailing all ballots to all addresses. Remember that something this good is worth fighting for. It is up to you to make sure you and all you know, receive a ballot and if you don't, find out how to get one and send those ballots in.

Good Luck!

 

[Shrek]

That is a great letter.

SkyWest pilots you should be proud of yourselves. You have done so well for your company. In talking with many of you as I have, I can see that the vast majority are already on board with being fairly represented in our profession. Hopefully you can persuade the minority to the just cause at hand.

It is amazing to me to think that if I was staring this issue in the face as some of the hard-headed anti-union pilots are, that 80,000 plus pilots would have to be wrong. A few pilots that are anti-union must be right, can you imagine that?

Guys, just be a little bit humble for a moment as you think about that. If you don't want a union on property, then you have to ask yourself the question, why don't you. Why are you thinking so differently than the majority of pilots out there? There must be a good reason and you should do everything you can to find out. Don't be offended and don't dig in your heels just because you've been seeing it a certain way for so long. It takes a great person to have believed something for so long to only come to the conclusion they he or she was wrong that entire time. Have the courage to go forward with the rest of us so that we can take care of our families as our managements do. That is what this is all about. Having representation just as any other educated, hard working, and high skilled profession should have.

Don't forget what happened at Colgan. They were sure the union was going to be voted in, so they took and election type of mentality and many left it up to their peers to do the voting, but as we know, a person who doesn't cast a ballot is a 'NO' vote. They lost their chance. Don't let that happen to you. Make sure everyone sends in their ballots. Some of you might even have to fight for this right a little bit more because you may not receive a ballot, as the NMB is pretty bad at mailing all ballots to all addresses. Remember that something this good is worth fighting for. It is up to you to make sure you and all you know, receive a ballot and if you don't, find out how to get one and send those ballots in.

Good Luck!

Every single word ......... in Unity.

 

[PCL_128]

I think it's definitely worth noting to the Skywest pilots that this wasn't just a letter from ALPA. This letter was signed by the Presidents of the independent unions at UPS, American, and Southwest also. For those that claim that this drive is only about ALPA getting more dues money, this proves you wrong. The IPA, APA, and SWAPA have absolutely no money to gain from Skywest joining ALPA. Their signatures should show you that this is about doing what is right for your careers and your profession. This is not about money. This is about standing up for yourselves and contributing to the advancement of your profession.

Do the right thing. Vote YES!

www.skywestalpa.org

 

[SkyNation]

I'm most impressed by those with only one entry under whom they represent. many of us wish that were the case here, myself included.

 

[PCL_128]

I'm most impressed by those with only one entry under whom they represent. many of us wish that were the case here, myself included.

Each of those airlines is capable of having the dues revenue to fund such an independent union because their average member makes six figures. The Skywest pilots would never have the dues revenue to fund an effective in-house union. Not to mention the fact that every single one of those unions that signed that letter have had to purchase services from ALPA because they aren't capable of doing everything themselves.

 

[DontFeedTheBear]

Hmmmm! If a union is not voted in, does anyone agree that this could easily hurt the hiring of Skywest pilots into the airlines/unions signing this letter????

I think Skywest pilots should think long and hard about this one.... I think a YES vote is in order.

Yogi

 

[SkyNation]

Hmmmm! If a union is not voted in, does anyone agree that this could easily hurt the hiring of Skywest pilots into the airlines/unions signing this letter????

we send as many people on to union airlines as anyone else.

 

[Gobi Gred]

Thank you BigHanger for your compliments and excellent post. I'm hoping many SkyWest pilots have seen the light in recent weeks and months and will do the right thing this time around. But I'm trying to not get my hopes up because I don't want to get disappointed once again.

 

[s.o.sJTB]

we send as many people on to union airlines as anyone else.

Yes, but I dont think this much attention has been focussed on our Union drives before. If we vote this down it will be noticed by many, we are to large of an airline at this point to continue with the status quo. As an interview i would wonder why someone who voted against representation would want to join an airline that is unionized? Of course not everyone will vote no but the majority is the voice and that voice could be a stain on the rest of us that believe in our profession and the gains that were made by those before.

As I mentioned before for you guys that are planning on getting your time and leaving for your new Unionized jobs, this is my career I plan on staying dont leave me to fend for myself while you go enjoy Union benefits at your new job. If you plan on leaving then a couple of years of ALPA dues wont kill you and it will help us (the ones who helped build SkyWest to where it is and gave you that oppurtunity for your quick upgrade). A majority of us who have been here 5 or 10 years and more want this ALPA vote to succeed! Ask yourself why?
I bet many that didnt vote or voted no 7 years ago that are still here regret that decision.

 

[Gr82Aviate]

Thank you BigHanger for your compliments and excellent post. I'm hoping many SkyWest pilots have seen the light in recent weeks and months and will do the right thing this time around. But I'm trying to not get my hopes up because I don't want to get disappointed once again.

I hear that...keeping my fingers crossed, but afraid to hold my breath!

 

[sstearns2]

I wonder how much of your dues they dropped on that ad concidering they can just email it to us at work. That ad is more of a feel good campain aimed at the current ALPA membership than at the Skywest pilots. Step back and realize how the game is played.

Scott

 

[inthegoo]

CALL THE NUMBER AND VOTE FOR SOMEBODY, ANYBODY!

-Jason

 

[MONKEY]

more threats?

Hmmmm! If a union is not voted in, does anyone agree that this could easily hurt the hiring of Skywest pilots into the airlines/unions signing this letter????

I think Skywest pilots should think long and hard about this one.... I think a YES vote is in order.

Yogi

Disclaimer... ALPA has in the past done a lot of good for airline pilots. They have taken a beating recently, but you can make the argument that pilots would be much worse off without them. This is not intended to be an ANTI-ALPA post.

I am tired of the threats being made by the unions and its members! Will the members of the oc have a hard time getting a job at a union carrier if ALPA is voted down? Will the guy who voted yes be denied an opportunity at the majors? Doubtful. How then will they know who voted yes and who voted no. There will be no one denied a job over their stance on unions, unless they are very vocal about it.

 

[LearLove]

hello Skywest guys.....

ALPA and Prater do not give one crapola about you. They want your 2% so they can get back to throwing meetings in Miami at the Yatch Club on your dime.

I opened the paper today at the hotel and saw the ad, while reading the ALPA propaganda dribble all that was going thru my head was that they ALPA and scraping rock bottom - ALPA has never supported the little guy - read "commuter pilot" even if you fly a large jet at your commuter airline.

in short - don't fall for it.

 

[DontFeedTheBear]

we send as many people on to union airlines as anyone else.

Sky, read the post as it is written before you comment... I am talking in future tense. I have moved on from Skywest and want the best for a great pilot group. I was against ALPA when at Skywest, but now, I wouldn't go anywhere w/o representation. You don't know what you are missing until you have it, and reality sinks in. You need protection from possible legal or medical issues. You need protection from CP's like Fizer. Isn't it funny how he was removed at just enough time for the pilot group to forget. Skywest mngmt is NOT stupid. If there was no ALPA drive, he would still be in. They make it look like they take care of you, but in reality it is just another way of manipulating the pilot group. The sad thing is that you fall for it. I don't care about the lawsuits or money he may have lost for the company, he still works there in a higher position with more pay. It's all about the boys club of JB and BH. I think that as posted earlier, there is a lot of attention on this drive, and voting "NO" COULD VERY POSSIBLY HURT you. Do yourself, your fellow pilots and fellow industry pilots a favor and vote YES. You won't regret it, especially the day you will need it, and I guarantee, one day you will.

Just look at the DD case, do you think that would of happened at a union carrier? Don't think this was an isolated case? There are and were many more wrongful terminations at Skywest, just not as many had the funds or the amount of loss as DD. Remember, when you start at another carrier in this industry, you start at the bottom again. Low salary, benefits and seniority. This is a major reason for unionizing. It's not like a lot of industries where you take your talent, knowledge and experience to another company only to start at a higher salary and better offer.

Yogi

Yogi

 

[120% Torque]

I wonder how much of your dues they dropped on that ad concidering they can just email it to us at work. That ad is more of a feel good campain aimed at the current ALPA membership than at the Skywest pilots. Step back and realize how the game is played.

Scott

Scott, just curious do you have any plans of moving on to another airline?

 

[Exskydiverdrivr]

hello Skywest guys.....

ALPA and Prater do not give one crapola about you. They want your 2% so they can get back to throwing meetings in Miami at the Yatch Club on your dime.

I opened the paper today at the hotel and saw the ad, while reading the ALPA propaganda dribble all that was going thru my head was that they ALPA and scraping rock bottom - ALPA has never supported the little guy - read "commuter pilot" even if you fly a large jet at your commuter airline.

in short - don't fall for it.

Ok lear I'll bite. If that;s the case why did the other union guys sign the letter? Wouldn't they want our money instead?

 

[atrdriver]

hello Skywest guys.....

ALPA and Prater do not give one crapola about you. They want your 2% so they can get back to throwing meetings in Miami at the Yatch Club on your dime.

I opened the paper today at the hotel and saw the ad, while reading the ALPA propaganda dribble all that was going thru my head was that they ALPA and scraping rock bottom - ALPA has never supported the little guy - read "commuter pilot" even if you fly a large jet at your commuter airline.

in short - don't fall for it.

You must really be dense. ALPA spends much more on regional airlines than it gets from them in dues. They want Skywest pilots to join so they can have legal representation that is good for them, not good for the company. Whether they vote in ALPA, teamsters, or the International Organization of Purple Haired Manicurists, they need to have someone representing THEM, not the company they work for.

 

[doug_or]

...same drivel as all the piedmont threads...

Your MEC and your [formerly] fellow pilots screwed you over, not ALPA's attitude toward "commuters". Enjoy AAA.