You boys afraid of something?

[super ed]

ALPA's Comair, Atlantic Southeast Airlines Officers Meet
Thursday April 17, 2:03 pm ET


WASHINGTON, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The following statement was issued jointly today by the Master Executive Councils (MECs) of the Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines, both of which are units of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA):
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This past Monday, union officers of Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines met in Birmingham, Alabama, to discuss the current status of the industry, including matters of specific interest to our respective pilot groups.

Of particular concern to our pilots are the recent concessionary airline labor agreements. Regardless of which airlines avoid or go into bankruptcy, pilots of these airlines have made significant changes to their collective bargaining agreements. Although the officers of the two Master Executive Councils do not want to get into a public discussion of the specifics at this time, we are concerned about the effects of recent industry developments, and are presenting a solid front to deal with them.

The Comair and Atlantic Southeast MECs are united together to defend the profession of the airline pilots at our two carriers. We will not sit idly by, and watch our pilots' careers be decimated by airline managements and the agreements into which they enter.

In the meantime, we want to assure our memberships that the officers and the union are working to mutually protect our respective pilot groups, our airlines' operations, and our collective futures.

ALPA represents 66,000 airline pilots at 42 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Its Web site is http://www.alpa.org.




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Source: Air Line Pilots Association

 

[NYRANGERS]

Yeah I am a little concerned about something. I'm afraid that Duane and DALPA will try to screw CMR/ASA when Leo comes a calling looking for concessions. Of course that would never happen, now would it? Let's see, where did I put that RJDC contribution envelope?

No you are right, you should continue to grow and hire durring the worst down turn in aviation history.........and if the economics don't support it, you rjdc ____s sue.

 

[sidseal]

I'm just wondering if it makes the DALPA guys feel like "big men" by asking for concessions from a ASA/CMR F.O. who makes 19K a year. If you ask me, that's the equivalent of passing a homeless person on the street and taking money out of his cup.

 

[Caveman]

I've deleted my original post and my reply to NYRANGERS. I will no longer engage in verbal brawls. If you want to discuss it like gentlemen, I'll participate. Until then, adios.

 

[Palerider957]

Boy this has been hashed out time and time again with the same results, but I'll bite.

There is NO reason CMR/ASA should even consider concessions. Our companies are making RECORD profits, and to my knowledge neither airline has EVER lost money. The Delta crowd is keen to remind us that we are NOT a part of mainline--until the industry hit the crapper.

Most regional guys are living on cheese and crackers anway, which shoudl I concede??? Cheese?? or Crackers??

In my mind concessions are not even a question, I'll walk the picket line before I vote for concessions. I work too hard, for too little money, to even consider giving up what little crums I have.

I don't say this to offend anyone, it's just where I come out.

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

The Mesa Contract Strikes Again....

 

[avratdwc]

Caveman, well said. I myself was engaged with some disputes with "NYRANGERS". He is just trying to get a rise out of everyone. The funny thing is that you find over time that he is very contradicting about his comments. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

 

[ACE]

I just love it that are MEC's are so proactive and not sitting back letting mainline pilots have complete control. Kudos Comair and ASA MEC's.

 

[super ed]

To late ace.

Super

 

[Medeco]

I am glad to see our MEC's letting us know they have their gaurd up.

On a bit of a side note, I think all ASA and Comair pilots should stop calling our companies "Regionals", we are "National" airlines now according to the aviation textbooks for college.

public perception is a big factor when contracts go public,and I think if the public knew how much an ASA pilot was paid currently it would help the PR side, to show we are not greedy, just needy.

Say it with me: ASA and Comair are National airlines.

yessss!

 

[jetflyer]

Delta Pilots Hurting THEMSELVES

I don't get it.... Delta pilots, are you guys trying to hurt YOURSELVES????

LET'S SEE: let's get Comair and ASA to give CONCESSIONS... Have you guys even thought this out at all!!!

Why are Comair and ASA growing right now??? Hmmmm, it's because our costs are more in line to a Low Cost Carrier. We can make money! Mother Delta CAN'T!!! Oh yea. If Comair and ASA give up more pay, it will just make us more powerful and more low-cost. More Delta pilot's will lose their routes and jobs, as a result.

NOW COMAIR AND ASA WILL GROW EVEN MORE!!!!

If Delta pilots want to keep their jobs, this would be pretty fricking retarded to ask Comair and ASA to give up more pay.

Delta even created Song, so it's costs would be more in line with ASA/Comair, and Jet Blue, Southwest, Airtran, etc.

Look at today's USA TODAY. The low cost carrier is taking over this industry.

IF WE WANT TO SAVE the pilot wages asking Comair and ASA to take PAY CUTS would be VERY VERY VERY COUNTER PRODUCTIVE!
It would only mean more ASA/Comair flights where mother Delta flights used to be, because Delta's mainline jets can't make a freeking cent in today's airline environment!

FIND ANOTHER SOLUTION: ASA/COMAIR KEEP YOUR PAY

Jet

 

[super ed]

Jetflyer,

Com/ass is a lot of things but low cost, is not one of them.


Super

 

[jetflyer]

"Super" Ed,
I'd be willing to bet a Comair/ASA 50 or 70 seater's costs per seat are more in line with a Southwest 737 than a Delta 757. This is why Comair/ASA can still compete in today's economic environment and why mainline is having trouble. You know this is true.

Jet

 

[DrunkIrishman]

Jetflyer and others:

ASA & Comair are not in line with SWA and Jetblue...our pay is much much lower!

I too feel anger towards another for taking what I perceive is my job, but then I realize it is not my fellow pilot that I should be upset with. I am not pissed off at the Chitaqua pilots for "taking my routes." Imagine what could happen if DALPA got together with ASA/Comair MEC's regularily...we might be able to work together toward an equitable solution for all pilot groups ;-)

 

[Palerider957]

Mainline talk with "scooter trash," not likely. One of the first issued to overcome is respect. Mainline guys think that we are second rate pilots who somehow got a hold of "little jets," flown by "kids." They clearly think we're not up to their caliber.

 

[super ed]

Flyer,

Facts are facts. Not only are Com/ASA costs higher than mainline Delta I bet they are twice that of SWA or Jetblue. Pilot wages aren't a major factor in CASM the "s" stands for seats the RJ is expensive. Now if you talk about RASM that is how the RJ makes it's money. "R" stands for revenue the rj can currently get a revenue premium. Next time it may help you to do some research before you run your mouth.

Super

 

[canadflyau]

Gotta agree with Super Ed

Fuel Costs make up a far greater percentage of CASM than Pilot Salaries, or of all labor costs for that matter. The only reason CASM is probably much lower is b/c of all the costs that are rolled up into DAL's CASM, that are not rolled into ASA's CASM.. I.E there are so many business functions that are not required by us regionals... We are told what routes to fly (no Network Anaysts Dept), all advertising is done by Delta (no Marketing), and I could go on and on about the many parts of the infrastructiure that are charged to mainline Delta, it works best that way for Mgt instead of evenly distrubiting it across all seats in the Delta owned Sys (DAL, COM, ASA, soon to be SONG)

However I feel strongly about ASA getting a healthy payraise, and so should all DAL pilots... SJ's pilots are underpaid considering the RASM's they are now generating... these pilots aren't flying props anymore and are basically flying small mainline jets, and if everyone would take that attitude and begin aiding in getting the pay for these pilots in lline for all the SJ operators that would be a start.. DALPA could start demanding accounting principles that require them to evenly distrubute all costs evenly across all Delta owned seats... you wait, Song will be super succesful as DAL mainlines book take on many of the operational costs of an airlines within the airline that will not share its revenue with DAL books. I used to work with mgt at DAL, and that is my feeling.. They will always have a reason to keep trying to whittle you DAL pilots down with the way they conduct business... They can keep your books in the red, while ASA, COMAIR and Songs are comfortably black.

Hope I made sense, canadflyau

 

[Rich Man]

Sorry.......

I know I'll regret this in the very near future.... but this is the kind of Flame Bait General Lee loves to bite...


Can't belive the General Lee doesn't have some "Wisdome" (enphasis on " " ) to share with us?


Sorry guys, I had to ask.......


Rich!

 

[Medeco]

I agree with the SASM and RASM perspective for the RJ.

I wonder if all these guys who think mainline guys think we are second rate pilots ever talk with mainline pilots face to face about these issues while deadheading or commuting or in the cafeteria?

My point being these message boards have a way of bringing the worst comments from both sides.

My experience is the mainline guys are respectful to me and I am to them, most of these folks worked hard for their position, and they seem to respect me in the same way.

I have had two Delta jumpseaters up front recently and they loved the RJ flight deck and were suprised at the work load of the plane and the old school ASA operations(no ACARS).

I think alot if these comments are actually my fellow ASA/Comair pilots who feel insecure about what they do and develop this perception in the mind.

Just be a professional and people will respect you.

"Yes , Candler 521 your parking at gate 24 Bravo, and the Captain and FO need to contact scheduling when you get in, have a great day!"

ohhhhh those hurt.

 

[FlyDeltasJets]

Re: Gotta agree with Super Ed

Fuel Costs make up a far greater percentage of CASM than Pilot Salaries, or of all labor costs for that matter.

That statement is not entirely correct. While fuel is usually slightly higher than pilot salaries, total labor costs (wages and benefits) are by far an airline's largest expense.

That being said, I want to see regional salaries come way up. The more they make, the less incentive mgt has to outsource all of our flying to them. However, with the recent behavior of many of the cmr pilots, I can see why some of our guys are hoping they share in the paid.

I have heard nothing of that sort from our mec, and I highly doubt they are advcating paycuts at DCI.

The 70-seater? That's a whole different story. If Delta wants more than 57 of them, they know who has to fly them!