Woerth might not sign a Mesaba concessionary contract

[Hulk Hogan]

I agree that the best interest of the union as a whole has to be considered when making such a decision as DW is making with XJ. However, one could argue that a truly good leader would consider minimizing the gains of one group in order to minimize the loss of another. Another quality of a good leader could be to put personal gain aside while representing the best interest of ALL (DW desire to be reelected). I can't say that DW has shown either of these two qualities in relation to XJ. Maybe the bigest problem with ALPA is that they are not in tune with what the group really wants. I think this argument can be made at the MEC level as well. (Look at the issue with McClain being recalled yet the TA he worked on being ratified by the pilot group.) This whole Comapss issue reaks of incompetence on behalf of the union as well. Why the heck didn't they do one of their little polls to figure out ahead of time that few NWA furloughs would actually take a ppsition at Compass (heck they did that f-ing fatigue poll why couldn't they do this poll). Instead they create the oportunity for another airline (represented by ALPA) to compete against two other airlines (both represented by ALPA and competing against each other) for flying these airplanes. I would think a one time offer to NWA furloughs to work at XJ and 9E in these airplanes (granted not displacing a current employee of XJ or 9E) could have been a better solution than creating the oportunity for another airline to compete. I can't say I have any solutions....but then again I am not being paid to or representing that I do either. I believe DW's actions to be motivated by personal gain rather than by the best interest of our union. My opinion is based on the fact that I have to read about the future of my airline in the newspaper rather than in corespondence addressed to me. DW, if you need attention that badly, get a f-ing dog.

 

[OldManPilot]

When are you guys going to smart and realize that Senior MAINLINE PILOTS don't give a darn what happens to regionals... They will do whatever it takes to maintain themselves only including selling out thier own junior pilots!!!!

The regional flying we do today is not because of "Lowering the Bar" companies... Its due to the GREED of senior mainline pilots and ther selling out of their own and allowing the growth at the regional levels...

If they had the BALLS they would have kept their flying and then there would be a mainline job to look forward too..

Stop acting like the Mainline pilots are some kind of Gods.... Take what comes your way, and realize that this isn't "The Good Ole' Days"... The business has changed.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

When are you guys going to smart and realize that Senior MAINLINE PILOTS don't give a darn what happens to regionals... They will do whatever it takes to maintain themselves only including selling out thier own junior pilots!!!!

The regional flying we do today is not because of "Lowering the Bar" companies... Its due to the GREED of senior mainline pilots and ther selling out of their own and allowing the growth at the regional levels...

If they had the BALLS they would have kept their flying and then there would be a mainline job to look forward too..

Stop acting like the Mainline pilots are some kind of Gods.... Take what comes your way, and realize that this isn't "The Good Ole' Days"... The business has changed.

This is not true there are senior pilots who care about everyone in this industry. However, they have been around long enough to realize that this is par for the course. Duane can't allow Mesaba pilots to allow the wages to fall even farther than they are. The mainline payrates although not as good, are still very livable. $13,000 for a regional pilot is not a livable salary, they even get paid more at mcdonald's. Until the FA issue at NWA is solved nothing will come about in the mesaba case. Right now management is just testing the waters on what they can and can't do. In reality imposing terms and allowing the pilots to strike would be one of the most significant losses for corporate america in the fact they have lost all bargining power in bankruptcy. Management must keep the fear of the unknown to have any leverage going forward. The ONLY way management can win this battle is to offer a major carrot in the acceptance of some sort of concessionary contract.

The bottom line is the company can't allow mesaba pilots to strike and liquidate because that would expose the rest industry, that if a regional liquidates, there is no alternative to replace that flying. There is no company out there that can replace mesaba with the plans NWA has, not even compass, RH, mesa, whomever. Such a liquidation would publicly expose a possible pilot shortage and strongly favor the bargining power of the regional pilots. As it looks right now, the FA at NWA are going to vote down their new TA so sit tight this may go on for a little while longer.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I don't believe you can blame someone for trying to protect what they have. At the same time, who can have faith in a union that isn't willing to fight for their groups best interest? If the XJ sacrifice is the best interest of ALPA then offer some proof and let's roll! Otherwise shut the f-up and get that rubber stamp ready bich. If my peers decide to "burn the place down" then so be it and I can live with it. But for some talking head to say it and then claim he is doing it for me is, to be frank, retarded.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I think you could argue effectively that $20,000 is not really a liveable salary. Hey, it is only 13,000 when you are paying 60% of your health insurance. Who needs health insurance anyway?

 

[XJPilot547]

Like Hulk, I've been taking my vitamins and saying my prayers. As for DW, I wish he would just shut the h*ll up. Hearing him say his usual crap actually reminds me of Spongebob Jinglepants. I don't really want to hear from either.