Let me start by saying that I'm a Colgan pilot and a member of the Joint Negotiating Committee.
I am somewhat disheartened by the attitude that some of my fellow pilots are taking with regard to this new TA. I can speak with great authority as to how much time and effort has been given, and the sacrifices made by each member of the JNC and MEC's over the past six months (even longer in some cases). The result of that work and dedication did not come easy or quickly. Personally, I am not asking anybody to blindly vote yes for this contract. Neither am I asking for your gratitude. However, I do feel that every pilot owes it to themselves, their fellow pilots, and the representatives who worked so hard to get us to this point to talk to your reps or the negotiators and understand what this contract contains. I've worked on this from the beginning and I can assure you that there is no way any pilot who has not been intimately involved with the creation of this document can have a thorough understanding of all the issues involved.
As a line pilot, I do like to read and participate in these forums. These forums are an excellent source of gossip and rumor, but they are not the place to get an understanding of a TA. That is what the roadshows are for. That is what your reps are for. Everyone needs to understand what is good and bad about this contract, especially the Colgan pilots who have never worked under an agreement before.
I think most Colgan pilots on this board can figure out who I am, if not send me a PM. I encourage you to call or email me with any questions or concerns. If not, then attend a roadshow or call your rep. Please do not disrespect myself or your fellow pilots by voting without being fully informed. We have all made ourselves fully available. Every pilot has the opportunity to talk to the decision makers and address any concerns.
pncljnc@alpa.org
