XJT Rejects SKW's Takeover Bid
- Thread starter drl5555
- Start date
surreal1221
Well-Known Member
My opinions have changed substantially since actually walking through the doors at ASA.
I wish I could take back the many things I've said against Skywest Inc, and some select pilots. But overall, I like what I am seeing on this side of the fence.
I wish I could take back the many things I've said against Skywest Inc, and some select pilots. But overall, I like what I am seeing on this side of the fence.
Maximilian_Jenius
Super User
H46Bubba
Well-Known Member
Yeah, but they didn't rake your guys CBA over the coals like they want to do with XJT.
Alchemy
Well-Known Member
I think the pilots would be willing to modify the scope section if certain protections were instituted., such as:
- language stipulating that the 274 xjet aircraft will continue to be staffed by xjet pilots
- any pilot furloughed from xjet should be able to move laterally to another "holdings" company with seniority if positions are available
- if no positions are availabe in the even of a furlough, xjet pilots are first in line for jobs at skw/asa, at which they would be reinstated with seniority in their new position (I realize this would be a tough sell with the other pilot groups).
- limits on the transfer of airframes from xjet to skw or ASA (the fact that neither company operates embraers is a natural barrier to this anyway).
- some kind of agreement that "growth" will be spread equally between the three airlines and not be completely one sided.
I would have no problem extending these same courtesies to skyw and asa pilots at xjet.
Payrates at all three companies are within 5%....so it's almost a wash moneywise, we just want some sense that we won't be whipsawed against the other groups. Ultimately one list should be the goal but that will never happen as long as Skywest remains non-union.
H46Bubba
Well-Known Member
I agree with that, but would SkyWest go for that? Pretty much everything you said goes against what they want XJT to do with the current CBA. You guys stand your ground if this indeed comes to fruition!
crashmbern
Well-Known Member
How would Skywest do flying for CAL with CAL scope being 50 seat jets????
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
Ha! There's a big surprise. Atkin's anti-union hatred continues unabated.
:yeahthat:
Don't drink the kool-aid. Atkin is an anti-union zealot that, much like 'ole Frankie Smooth Talk, can BS you into believing he's actually a really nice guy. The truth is, he's nothing a spin-meister that has somehow managed to convince a bunch of pilots that they should be happy to be crushed under his boot.
Don't do it! Those scope protections are the most important part of your contract. They are there for a reason. I'm not worried, though. I know MEC Chairman Captain Dressler and the other MEC members, and they aren't dumb enough to fall for Atkin's games.
FlyChicaga
Vintage Restoration
All I have to say is, we had better not give up our scope protections. At this point, I would rather watch the company fold than to ##### ourselves out like the rest. Our Negotiating Committee fought hard for our scope provisions. It is in the best interests of ALL of us involved here to not let this get away.
I am telling you right now, if we at XJT give up scope, it is not only going to hurt us, but also the pilots at ASA and SkyWest.
I just wish that SkyWest ALPA drive would have succeeded. Oh well.
Continental is going to shoot themselves in the foot, and I'm going to laugh the entire time. I really hope we tell them to shove it.
It is time for those of us at the regionals to take a stand. We cannot let the whipsaw continue!
I am telling you right now, if we at XJT give up scope, it is not only going to hurt us, but also the pilots at ASA and SkyWest.
I just wish that SkyWest ALPA drive would have succeeded. Oh well.
Continental is going to shoot themselves in the foot, and I'm going to laugh the entire time. I really hope we tell them to shove it.
It is time for those of us at the regionals to take a stand. We cannot let the whipsaw continue!
meritflyer
Well-Known Member
The SkyWest deal could provide XJT with a vehicle to stay in business. The attitude of some that suggests XJT would fold before they'd give into any sort of concessionary action is bold and, in my opinion, correct. However, the greater picture must be taken into consideration. The question(s) to be asked must deal with longevity, job protection, scope, and candidly avoid the whipsaw BS that keeps going on.
I have a ton of respect and confidence in the XJT MEC to ask the tough questions and dig themselves in if needed. At the same time, they need to think long term and what'd be in the best interest for the entire pilot group over the next decade.
I have a ton of respect and confidence in the XJT MEC to ask the tough questions and dig themselves in if needed. At the same time, they need to think long term and what'd be in the best interest for the entire pilot group over the next decade.
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
:yeahthat: Matt, we've disagreed plenty of times in the past, but your above post is spot-on!
surreal1221
Well-Known Member
Exactly...and we were hot in negotiations when the purchase occurred, so it was either not buy us, or buy us and finish contract negotiations.
Which, ended up working out alright.
Plus, weren't a dieing company either. . . not that I'm saying XJT is, but it appears to be the industry sentiment that SOMEONE has to come in and save them.
Chris_Ford
Well-Known Member
How about longevity instead of seniority? That way you don't take a paycut, but you have to start at the bottom. Seems like a fair compromise to me versus the alternative of starting over completely from the bottom.
Alchemy
Well-Known Member
That might work too.
Chris_Ford
Well-Known Member
While I agree with what you're saying, the Negotiating Committee that fought for "us" fought for a different group of pilots. I'm not so sure that the G, T and U entitlement generation gets "the big picture"... The Negotiating Committee did the right thing and had amazing foresight, but I think the younger pilots will fold faster than a cheap card table... Hopefully enough of the "loser lifer" (not my words) crowd can convince the young bucks...
True, but this seems to start boiling down to a "Would you rather have your job and compromise your morals or have your morals without a job" and like I said above, I'm not sure our pilot group subscribes to the right answer...
You, me and 35%.
This is the only thing in your post I disagree with...
You're going to laugh as Continental shoots themselves in the foot by putting our airline out of business? CAL-UAL is going down quickly. UAL wants less 50 seat feed and there will be carriers out there who could pick up any slack. I think we need to play nice, do what CAL wants, get bought by SKW. As much as we can, as long as we don't cave on that scope.
But XJT will cave on the scope. This is the point where the men and boys are separated.
Alchemy
Well-Known Member
Skywest operates tons of 50 seat CRJ's. They could shift 50 seaters to CAL and replace them with larger RJ's for their UAL and DAL operations. Otherwise they could wait for Mesa to go out of business and cannibalize their fleet, or of course they could acquire xjet and have a readymade fleet of aircraft and crew.
flyguy
Well-Known Member
Here we go again.
flyguy
Well-Known Member
You got that right. Especially seeing as when you factor in bennefits and work rules, our compensation is very cometative. In fact, I can't think of a time when pay has ever come up in any conversation I've had in the crew room. I really wish you people would back off, stop accusing us of undercutting, and let us be happy that we are working for a well managed company who knows how to take care of its employees. Morale at this company is higher than any company in any industry I've ever seen. If they are really shafting us that much, then so be it. We are happy here. Maybe its true, money can't buy happienss. And to those who say I'm just a brainwashed Kool-Aid drinker, to them I say maybe its true ignorance is bliss.
Gonzo
Well-Known Member
You have no real works rules. You have no real benefits.
People like you never get it.:banghead::banghead::banghead:
Bumblebee
Commodore
This is not accurate. I don't feel anyone's boot on my neck, and I can hold the company to what's in the manual. My benefits cover my wife and me, I just asked for a golden day and it was granted, and I was even able to bid my vacation for NJC. Nearly everyone at SkyWest is happy, I feel like I wrote a lottery ticket to work here. Recently, I essentially told CS that I was going to have a driver take me and my crew from IYK to FAT (a 3 hour drive one way) and never heard peep from anyone.
I don't get why you would say the last quote above, it isn't very nice, and will not advance your argument.
Let's try to maintain civility in the face of the rough seas ahead.