What is "good" about AWA's new TA?

[General Lee]

Can someone at America West tell me some of the good points of the new TA? What also is still lacking?

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[CACTUS A-320]

Some of the good things are:

1)Retirement plan (7% of your annual earnings is funded by company into your 401k)
2)More time off (change from 28 day bids to calendar months. Min days off now 12 or 13/month)
3)11%pay increase now and 3% Jan 2007. (But we are now able to work less per year so not everyone will see a 11% raise)
4)Longer reserve call out time to airport and new long call reserve
5)Scope (C 95 had no provisions)
6)3 yr agreement (language to open negotiations in 2.5 yrs)
7)Elimanated pay "bank" system. Now get paid for what you fly, up to 99 hrs/mo.
8)All pilots on property now will get a signing bonus deposited into 401k ($7,200 for F/O and $12,000 for CA)

Those are the high points I can easily think of. I am sure some guys will start to pick this apart and spin each item around to show some negative side. There are two sides two everything, but I left the emotion out of it and you can decide for yourself.
-Busdriver

 

[General Lee]

Cactus A320,

No, that sounds like an improvement. Your airline is doing better and I know you didn't get everything you wanted, but it sounds like a pretty good start. The only thing I question is the ability to fly up to 99 hours per month. The company will be looking at that and will hope that a lot of people do fly that much, and that MIGHT keep upgrades down or extra hiring. But, some guys want to work like that and make as much money as possible. I hope that doesn't mean your reserves will fly that much....(Like United's) Overall it sounds better than what you previously had.
Thank you for responding.

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[CACTUS A-320]

General Lee, you are correct that some may want to earn up to 99 credit/ month, but on the flip-side, I understand line-holders can drop down to 40 hrs a month if they want the time off (and can afford it).

 

[FLB717]

What would that bring you rates to for next year? Like 1, 5 and 12 years rates for FO and Capt?

Thanks

 

[CACTUS A-320]

New rates:
CA yr 5 $123
yr 8 $127
max yr 15 $137

FO yr 1 $38
yr 2 $59
yr 3 $66
yr 4 $73
max yr 15 $91

These rate go up 3% on 1/07

Currently a 6-7 yr. upgrade. Also, no pay differential on aircraft.

 

[Russ]

What is the call out time on normal and long call out reserve under the TA?
Thanks

 

[CACTUS A-320]

Short callout now 2hrs. to check-in (up from 1 hr to employee parking lot)
Long callout 12 hrs. The size of the fleet type determines what percentage of reserve pilots the company will maintain on long-call. (757 it is 5% of the reserves, 737 10%, Airbus 15%). Once notified of trip, long call pilot starts 12 hrs. rest (12 hrs. to report) and is not required to be in phone contact.

 

[jon coqtoestone]

What also is still lacking?

Bye Bye--General Lee

We gave up a lot for these improvements, namely medical benefits. Many things that were covered 100% under "Contract 95" now go down to 90% coverage, with twice the copay. (Yeah, this is an industry-wide thing, just a shame that this has come to us.) I also understand that LTD buyup premiums will go up -- by how much, who knows?

The next nine months (transition/implementation) are sure to be interesting indeed . . . Cheers!

__________________________________________
The glass is not half-empty. The glass is not half-full. It is simply half.

 

[General Lee]

Thanks Jon.

 

[FLB717]

C A320
Thanks for the numbers, what will it top out at at the end of the contract? We are getting ready for ours in early 05 so Im wondering how much wiggle room your contract will give us.

 

[CACTUS A-320]

There are no annual raises, only the 11% effective in a few weeks, and the 3% just after the amendable date on 1/07. Our pay scales max at 15 yrs. seniority.
Effective 1/07, 15 yr CA is $141.85, 15 yr FO 93.61.

I don' think this will give you any "wiggle room," rather the advantage to your management, as our compensation is on the low end. We are restricted by the labor caps negotiated by management for our ATSB loan.

 

[Guppiedriver]

Some of the good things are:

1)Retirement plan (7% of your annual earnings is funded by company into your 401k)
2)More time off (change from 28 day bids to calendar months. Min days off now 12 or 13/month)
3)11%pay increase now and 3% Jan 2007. (But we are now able to work less per year so not everyone will see a 11% raise)
4)Longer reserve call out time to airport and new long call reserve
5)Scope (C 95 had no provisions)
6)3 yr agreement (language to open negotiations in 2.5 yrs)
7)Elimanated pay "bank" system. Now get paid for what you fly, up to 99 hrs/mo.
8)All pilots on property now will get a signing bonus deposited into 401k ($7,200 for F/O and $12,000 for CA)

Those are the high points I can easily think of. I am sure some guys will start to pick this apart and spin each item around to show some negative side. There are two sides two everything, but I left the emotion out of it and you can decide for yourself.
-Busdriver

Cactus A-320,

You crack me up! Just because you post it, it is without emotion. But if someone "picks it apart" or "spins each item around," it is wraught with emotion.

The items that you posted have some merit, but without all of the facts it is useless. You have to have a clear understanding of C95 and the things we gave up to realize any percieved gains in Contract 2004.

Below is a link to our new contract. I'm not sure if you need to be a ALPA member to view it.

http://www.alpa.org/awa/DesktopModules/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=7222

 

[ADG]

I just want to confirm, same pay scale for ALL AIRCRAFT, 757, 737, and Airbus?

What a tough time to negotiate a contract. Anyway, thanks for the info.

ADG

 

[CACTUS A-320]

Yes ADG, you are correct