GeekMaster
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2005
- Posts
- 276
I don't post often on here, primarily because it never takes more than a few posts to transform from intelligent, logical discussion to gutter-mouthed factless name calling. I've watched folks like JoeMerchant try their best to present his opinions backed up with actual facts while others trashed him on a "personal" level with insults; right down to his girlfriend/companion.
While I never agreed with Joe on the issue of accepting substandard pay in exchange for a single list, I've always agreed on the importance of a single list. It's now kind of funny that everyone seems to be jumping on the single list train and yet they continue to trash Joe on a personal level. Most of us know that Joe's former biggest adversary (a former ALPA Rep) is now somewhat of an Ally in openly confessing the need to lower expectations to a more realistic level and concentrate on protecting our jobs.
Personally, I've never overly "broadcasted" my opinions to all those around me but instead silently seek the viewpoints of all those around me to get as clear a picture as possible what our pilot group wants as a group. I've read on the other board that many of our members don't hold a lot of faith in the Wilson Polling system. I have been polled by Wilson twice now and on both occasions, hung up from the call feeling as if my actual opinions weren't clear to them. They ask very slanted questions and give you answer choices that nearly force you into a biased answer unless you're Charlie Tutt or Scott Hall of course.
So here comes the "silent majority" part. I seem to see an overwhelming number of pilots who agree that our negotiations should be "just about done". Most agree that while we don't have to be "cheaper" than Skywest on the 50 seat, WE DO HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVELY CLOSE. It costs almost a half milliion to transfer an airplane considering training, paperwork, c-check and maintenance costs. The trick is to have a rate that renders it too costly to move one. If we insist on burning the place down to get a 50 seat rate that is head and shoulders above Skywest, then transferring an airplane becomes an economic benefit.
I know the company hasn't offered any COLA past year one of the Skywest rate, but that's because we haven't asked for it. Our reps are still demanding the big bucks. As for the two million signing bonus, I would almost guarantee that that could be negotiated up to a more respectable level if we'd get more serious about a 50 seat rate in line with Skywest.
Everything else is mostly done. We could begin enjoying QOL and increased 50 seat rates much sooner than we think. I know pilots don't buy airplanes, but I WILL GUARANTEE YOU that ASA will not be invited into the 50 to 70/90 aircraft exchange program until our contract is done and our costs are "known". For those Alpa diehards who say the original round of 900's going to Skywest didn't have anything to do with our contract......uuhhhh .....LOOK AT WHERE THEY'RE FLYING THEM EVERYDAY.....OUT OF ATLANTA !!!!
We need ALPA for representation. BUT we need to look out for OUR NEEDS...NOT ALPA NATIONAL!!!!
I am finding more and more that there are far more people who silently share my viewpoint than rather than dissent.
While I never agreed with Joe on the issue of accepting substandard pay in exchange for a single list, I've always agreed on the importance of a single list. It's now kind of funny that everyone seems to be jumping on the single list train and yet they continue to trash Joe on a personal level. Most of us know that Joe's former biggest adversary (a former ALPA Rep) is now somewhat of an Ally in openly confessing the need to lower expectations to a more realistic level and concentrate on protecting our jobs.
Personally, I've never overly "broadcasted" my opinions to all those around me but instead silently seek the viewpoints of all those around me to get as clear a picture as possible what our pilot group wants as a group. I've read on the other board that many of our members don't hold a lot of faith in the Wilson Polling system. I have been polled by Wilson twice now and on both occasions, hung up from the call feeling as if my actual opinions weren't clear to them. They ask very slanted questions and give you answer choices that nearly force you into a biased answer unless you're Charlie Tutt or Scott Hall of course.
So here comes the "silent majority" part. I seem to see an overwhelming number of pilots who agree that our negotiations should be "just about done". Most agree that while we don't have to be "cheaper" than Skywest on the 50 seat, WE DO HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVELY CLOSE. It costs almost a half milliion to transfer an airplane considering training, paperwork, c-check and maintenance costs. The trick is to have a rate that renders it too costly to move one. If we insist on burning the place down to get a 50 seat rate that is head and shoulders above Skywest, then transferring an airplane becomes an economic benefit.
I know the company hasn't offered any COLA past year one of the Skywest rate, but that's because we haven't asked for it. Our reps are still demanding the big bucks. As for the two million signing bonus, I would almost guarantee that that could be negotiated up to a more respectable level if we'd get more serious about a 50 seat rate in line with Skywest.
Everything else is mostly done. We could begin enjoying QOL and increased 50 seat rates much sooner than we think. I know pilots don't buy airplanes, but I WILL GUARANTEE YOU that ASA will not be invited into the 50 to 70/90 aircraft exchange program until our contract is done and our costs are "known". For those Alpa diehards who say the original round of 900's going to Skywest didn't have anything to do with our contract......uuhhhh .....LOOK AT WHERE THEY'RE FLYING THEM EVERYDAY.....OUT OF ATLANTA !!!!
We need ALPA for representation. BUT we need to look out for OUR NEEDS...NOT ALPA NATIONAL!!!!
I am finding more and more that there are far more people who silently share my viewpoint than rather than dissent.
