Where is the ASA MEC?

[maxcackel]

No big surprise that my buddy told me the XE MEC has already released a statement to them about this. Wonder how long it will take our MEC to respond, probably have not even thought about it. To busy trying to figure out how it will effect them, who cares about the pilots.

 

[buscap]

No big surprise that my buddy told me the XE MEC has already released a statement to them about this. Wonder how long it will take our MEC to respond, probably have not even thought about it. To busy trying to figure out how it will effect them, who cares about the pilots.

u r a dooooossshhhh

 

[COOPERVANE]

I think he hit the nail on the head.

 

[asayankee]

Maybe this could be good for us... After the dust settles we might end up with some new blood in the union who actually tries to advocate for the pilots and enforce working agreements.

 

[WWEfan]

What's the rush? The ASA MEC isn't going to tell you anything you haven't already seen in the press releases.

 

[crj567]

What exactly HAS NOT caught our MEC off guard lately?

-Probably trying to figure out how to weasel into the G.O. when they are all replaced.

 

[buscap]

Way to go folks. Throw our MEC under the bus, just when we need them to fight for us in all this. Any hint of this becoming an US vs THEM thing means we are instantly outnumbered 2 to 1.

Hopefully our MEC is working with the EXPRESS guys right now to craft a joint statement of intent.

Either that, or they're at Malone's. But I'm hoping for the joint statement thingy!!

 

[atlcrjdriver]

No big surprise that my buddy told me the XE MEC has already released a statement to them about this. Wonder how long it will take our MEC to respond, probably have not even thought about it. To busy trying to figure out how it will effect them, who cares about the pilots.

Exactly what more can they tell you right now that you haven't already seen on ourASA? Until the reg process and merger process gets rolling they can't tell you a whole lot.

Yet, if it makes you feel better here it goes:

As you may have heard EV and XE are in ther merger process. We will have more information for you about the contract/seniority list integration process soon.

 

[outtahere]

How about "hey we are looking at this, and when we have something we will let you know", instead of just crickets. Face it, our MEC sucks.

 

[crj567]

Way to go folks. Throw our MEC under the bus, just when we need them to fight for us in all this. Any hint of this becoming an US vs THEM thing means we are instantly outnumbered 2 to 1.

Hopefully our MEC is working with the EXPRESS guys right now to craft a joint statement of intent.

Either that, or they're at Malone's. But I'm hoping for the joint statement thingy!!

I would bet money some of them are still on the golf course with SH and CT and still have no idea what has happened....

Let's face facts-these guys are WAAAAAYYYY too close to mgmt. We need new blood.

 

[Poppa Hodax]

Exactly what more can they tell you right now that you haven't already seen on ourASA?

Their public appearance isn't about actually conveying information. It is about creating the illusion that they are informed, involved, and concerned with the folks that pay their wages: the membership.

Why bother having a Union at all if we should just wait for The Company to tell us what is being served up?

[snip]
...the XE MEC has already released a statement to them about this....
[snip]

The XJ MEC allegedly felt a public statement to the membership worth the effort. The ASa MEC apparently felt no such compulsion.

Until the reg process and merger process gets rolling they can't tell you a whole lot.

So just to make sure I understand your reasoning: you feel no need to get any information from any source other than the final word from a single authority, and that information only after everything has been settled? You have no desire to know that the people you give nearly 2% of your paycheck to are actually aware of the situation, and working towards the most equitable and mutually beneficial solution? You would rather just get an email through The Company telling you how things shook out?
If so, please send me your wallet. I want to go to Vegas. I will let you know how things worked out.

 

[maxcackel]

Exactly what more can they tell you right now that you haven't already seen on ourASA? Until the reg process and merger process gets rolling they can't tell you a whole lot.

Yet, if it makes you feel better here it goes:

As you may have heard EV and XE are in ther merger process. We will have more information for you about the contract/seniority list integration process soon.

He sent the email from their MEC to me and if you read it you would understand what I mean. It has information to let the XE pilot group know what they are doing and negotiating for on their behalf. This gave me a warm and fuzzy for them but left me cold and lonely like an unwanted stepchild from my MEC.

 

[sweptback]

The day isn't even over yet. I know that the MEC is consumed with this and most likely has been since they found out, whenever that was. If they found out more than a day or so ago, they should have had a statement prepared, vetted, and ready to go out. If they just found out last night or this morning I will give them the benefit of the doubt since they most likely spent the day wrapping their heads around it.

Keep in mind that anything involving mergers is highly political and viewed by many parties other than just ASA pilots. I would rather see them take the time to craft a well-written statement that paints our pilot group in a good light rather than throw something out there that makes us look like a bunch of fools.

Typically the ASA MEC emails come out in the evening. So I hope we'll hear something soon, but if we don't hear anything today I will be disappointed.

 

[outtahere]

Anything would be nice, and is expected! If they don't, that is really not going to sit well with this pilot group. There is already a huge lack of confidence in our MEC.

 

[maxcackel]

The day isn't even over yet. I know that the MEC is consumed with this and most likely has been since they found out, whenever that was. If they found out more than a day or so ago, they should have had a statement prepared, vetted, and ready to go out. If they just found out last night or this morning I will give them the benefit of the doubt since they most likely spent the day wrapping their heads around it.

Keep in mind that anything involving mergers is highly political and viewed by many parties other than just ASA pilots. I would rather see them take the time to craft a well-written statement that paints our pilot group in a good light rather than throw something out there that makes us look like a bunch of fools.

Typically the ASA MEC emails come out in the evening. So I hope we'll hear something soon, but if we don't hear anything today I will be disappointed.

They were briefed at least a week ago by the company. Not enough time?

 

[Medeco]

You guys need to relax.

 

[Poppa Hodax]

They were briefed at least a week ago by the company. Not enough time?

Depends. Planning a trip to be briefed and prepare a statement could be a lengthy process. If all the rooms in Vegas are booked, you gotta check out Charleston, Key West, or Savannah. If those are unavailable, then you could spend hours researching an awesome enough vacation destination with a golf course....strike that....I mean a venue with adequate facilities in which to ponder the intricacies of this situation.

You guys need to relax.

"...a little rebellion now and then is a good thing..."

 

[maxcackel]

Depends. Planning a trip to be briefed and prepare a statement could be a lengthy process. If all the rooms in Vegas are booked, you gotta check out Charleston, Key West, or Savannah. If those are unavailable, then you could spend hours researching an awesome enough vacation destination with a golf course....strike that....I mean a venue with adequate facilities in which to ponder the intricacies of this situation.

My bad, your right. What no ocean view, next.

 

[SPDBRD747400]

How about "hey we are looking at this, and when we have something we will let you know", instead of just crickets. Face it, our MEC sucks.

Agree 110%!

 

[ASA Captain]

Actually what most of them were busy doing is training P2P reps on the PBS system to be in the crew lounges on schedule.

 

[maxcackel]

OMG!! We got an email from the MEC but wait... It's a PBS update. Are you freakin kidding me. That is the email we get after the biggest news affecting our union is announced in 4 years. Nice.

 

[outtahere]

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha...............What a joke these guys are! Glad fat boy has a job in the union, guess he was afraid to stay out in the crewroom after all of these base swaps!

 

[Skyjet]

I glad I'm not in this fight. I talked to a few asa pilots and they were asking how the large airlines draw the fence in a merger. The gave me a good laugh stating they would like to fence xj from the asa bases and the large a/c.

 

[Future Furlough]

Maybe this could be good for us... After the dust settles we might end up with some new blood in the union who actually tries to advocate for the pilots and enforce working agreements.

You obviously haven't met our pilot group.

 

[outtahere]

Now was that so hard?

 

[crj567]

I just got an email....

It said nothing, and nothing, and blah, and blah, and we are clueless, and blah...

-The bonus part was: It looked like it was signed with a crayon...
-My 2% hard at work! YAAAAYY!

 

[SPDBRD747400]

-My 2% hard at work! YAAAAYY!

We could all get a raise without them!

 

[crj567]

We could all get a raise without them!

It is not that I am anti-ALPA, I have always and will always support having a union at ASA. I just wish we were getting some people who were actually on the pilot's side of things.... Since our contract was signed, think about how many major problems we have had resolved- I cannot think of a single one. We are getting PBS crammed up our butts, we are adrift in a sea of "red arrow days" and all we get from the union are the same lame-ass excuses we get from SH in recurrent-in the same exact verbiage about "efficiency."

We just need better reps, period. Too many of these guys have put their union positions ahead of our collective position. The thought of a seniority merger with these guys in charge gives me some serious willies!!!

 

[JoeMerchant]

I just got an email....

It said nothing, and nothing, and blah, and blah, and we are clueless, and blah...

-The bonus part was: It looked like it was signed with a crayon...
-My 2% hard at work! YAAAAYY!

This was just sprung on the MEC last night. I'm sure they are a just a tad busy with the events of today. Some on here told you that any official message wouldn't tell you anything you don't already know. You said you didn't care, because you need some warm and fuzzy message from the MEC. They put out the warm and fuzzy message and you still aren't happy.

I believe your village just called....they are looking for you.....

 

[buscap]

here tis

I'm cool with it


August 4, 2010



Dear fellow ASA pilots:



Today, Atlantic Southeast management announced their intent to acquire ExpressJet Holdings and merge ExpressJet Airlines with Atlantic Southeast.



As expected for some time and most recently witnessed at Mesaba-Pinnacle/Colgan and Compass-Trans States, consolidation is not limited to just the mainline operations. The forces at work in the industry have an impact on airline operations at all levels. One avenue available to some airlines with enough required capital is to invest in the future via merger and spread out costs over a larger platform, gain efficiencies through the economies of scale, and diversify. Now our company proceeds down this path as well.

Here are the initial highlights of the deal as presented to the Association:

· Completion of the corporate transaction by Q4 2010.
· Atlantic Southeast and Continental have a completed Capacity Purchase Agreement for 10 years.
· Single Operating Certificate by summer-fall 2011.
· No request for pilot contract concessions.
· A commitment to the Association for our full involvement to facilitate as smooth a transition as possible.

We as pilots are stakeholders in this transaction, and the ultimate success of this deal will not be possible without the participation and ultimate support of the 4,384 unified ASA and XJT pilots.



If crafted, developed, and administered well, the merger of ASA and XJT can lead to a corporate platform that serves as a model for the rest of the industry¾a safe, high-quality, efficient, and profitable powerhouse that respects and shares success with its hardworking professionals. Management’s commitment to this and the negotiation of a fair and equitable Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement that provides adequate returns and an Integrated Seniority List are top priorities in order for the combined entity to be successful. We commit to working toward this goal, nothing less. The recent Delta-Northwest merger serves as an example of what management and pilot labor working together can achieve; and, having just been through this process successfully themselves, the Delta MEC has offered any help and assistance that we might need.



With so many recent factors contributing to industry instability and the resultant uncertainty of our careers as professional pilots, we must be prepared and willing to cultivate and take advantage of opportunities that enable us to stabilize our airline and our careers long term. The MEC is actively consulting with legal counsel and ALPA experts to ensure that this transaction is conducted in a manner that protects our interests and advances our goals.



As we have been working closely with other ALPA MECs for some time in an effort to coordinate support and assistance across the board, working very closely with the ExpressJet MEC in the coming months will not be a new endeavor, and XJT MEC Chairman Christopher Cashmareck and I are in close consultation. The professional relationship that we already have established over the years will set the stage as our groups begin working together as the merger progresses over the next several months.

For now, our current contract continues normally as well as the implementation of PBS. It is understandable that speculation and many questions will ensue regarding something of this magnitude. Focusing on the facts instead of rumors and distractions will help us navigate the merger process successfully. More information on the merger process will be forthcoming to you, and as developments unfold, we will report them to you and keep you updated.



Tailwinds and fly safe.



In unity,