I love reading these posts while I am on a 3 day trip and cannot respond (on the lounge computers---the laptop is on the fritz). Well, I am back now (I love allnighters....not)---and rested and now I will respond....
Ace757,
Sure, Grinstein wants to give the pilots a "blunt talk" at an open forum---but highly doubtful many will attend (except guys like FINS) because OUR UNION SPEAKS FOR US. If he wants to negotiate---then do it with our negotiators....That is what they are there for. He really has taken the Chap 11 talk away and is now focusing on "What will happen in the FUTURE with respect to LCCs." Well, we know they are there and that they may very well grow----so I think we should all take some sort of cuts and really be lean---including management. I read yesterday on the Dalpa.net that all of the executives had to report recent bonuses due to the fact that our share holder meeting is coming up soon, and just this week I believe Leo Mullin got $250,000 in stock options cashed (he still is officially with us until April 26th), Fred Reid got something like $50,000 , and even our VP of marketing got a $17,000 bonus----all a part of the executive retention plan.
Medflyer,
You are right, and that still stands....He can have immediate relief TODAY if they actually sit down and negotiate. They will be coming to the table anyways soon asking us for relief if we really do have a big early retirement on May 1st.....Maybe then they will come up with an offer that is fair and that will pass. By the way, we have been stuffed lately---probably Spring break.....
Falconjet,
Our IFE is better than everyone elses......and we have better food to buy on board too. The paint scheme on Song is interesting......
Meister Brau,
You are correct---I can and HAVE flown to Rome---and it was great service, but I did leave on my Vulcan Ears once and I was embarassed---but one of the old stews loved it and hit on me---don't tell my wife...
ILStominimums,
What can I say? I really just try to give my opinions and I still take a lot of flack---but that is ok. I enjoy this board.
Smoking Man,
That would be the deal breaker---Klingon Linguistics teaching---FOR FREE. I think that Worf guy is awesome.....And being on reserve so much I bet I could be fluent in atleast 8 months!!
FLB717,
Yes, AA gets step up raises, and I think 9% this year is correct. The longer we wait, the narrower our gap gets---but I would rather give now and get it over with, and most agree. It is funny that Grinstein says that layoffs are necessary---and he never even acknowledged that we have 3000 less pilots now than pre-9-11, and 1060 of our pilots are still on the street (the others are now retired). That is huge. I understand that they want to raise our monthly cap about 5-10 hours during this capacity increase of 8-10% this year with the existing pilots, and not bring back anyone. I doubt Dalpa would go for that---there has to be some sort of recalls---and a lot of retirements in May may cause those recalls anyway.....
Bye Bye--General Lee
