"Agency Shop"

[PeanuckleCRJ]

When there was movement, yeah it wasn't so bad. Since the movement has ground to a screeching halt (I've actually moved BACKWARDS more than a few times since I upgraded nearly 2 years ago), it's essentially hell on earth unless you're in the top 10% in base.

I disagree with your 10% in base assement (I'd be I think around 280 there now-14706 was my #, when I left I was getting quite nice schedules- bottom 50% it gets pretty rough)... but yeah right now if you're on reserve after the music stopped, it's hard to keep your head up. Remember you're a captain and will be in optimum position when the music starts playing again. Keep your nose clean, your attitude positive, and you will be rewarded!

Higney- That's exactly right, and why I was so tickled that the TA got turned down. It was so subpar on so many levels (the ALPA fast read touting the TA TICKED me off so freaking bad...). That contract has to be brought up to at least the ASA standard for it to get voted in. It's good they recalled special steve- he was a big obstacle to improvements.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

I disagree with your 10% in base assement (I'd be I think around 280 there now-14706 was my #, when I left I was getting quite nice schedules- bottom 50% it gets pretty rough)... but yeah right now if you're on reserve after the music stopped, it's hard to keep your head up. Remember you're a captain and will be in optimum position when the music starts playing again. Keep your nose clean, your attitude positive, and you will be rewarded!

Higney- That's exactly right, and why I was so tickled that the TA got turned down. It was so subpar on so many levels (the ALPA fast read touting the TA TICKED me off so freaking bad...). That contract has to be brought up to at least the ASA standard for it to get voted in. It's good they recalled special steve- he was a big obstacle to improvements.

@ Kell - at least you're a Captain!

 

[skydog2]

So, just because a company pays me that means they can get away with forcing me to work on my day off (which was originally awarded by same said company up to three weeks prior), and if I choose not to without a damn good reason (often with paperwork to back it up), I can receive disciplinary action "up to and including termination". They can use and abuse me for 14+ hours then put me in a hotel room that is questionable in security and/or cleanliness. But because they pay me, I should shut the F up?

Your employer's poor business practices do not relieve you of your obligation to provide the services they are paying you for.

 

[SpiraMirabilis]

Providing a paycheck does not relieve an employer to treat its employees like a human being.

 

[kellwolf]

I disagree with your 10% in base assement (I'd be I think around 280 there now-14706 was my #, when I left I was getting quite nice schedules- bottom 50% it gets pretty rough)... but yeah right now if you're on reserve after the music stopped, it's hard to keep your head up. Remember you're a captain and will be in optimum position when the music starts playing again. Keep your nose clean, your attitude positive, and you will be rewarded!

Oh, I know. Didn't mean to come off as a chronic complainer. The fact that the iceberg of hiring looks like it's about to start breaking up is what keeps me going.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Your employer's poor business practices do not relieve you of your obligation to provide the services they are paying you for.

Of course, our services and their obligations (along with pay) are spelled out in a contract. If they are violating their contract.... I'm not saying we should do a shoddy job. But as with any contract, it needs to be upheld on both ends.

I really wish you worked here.

Look at it this way. The contract specifies what the company gives US for our services. If you're being shorted on any sort of contract project, would you continue that project, or would you hold off on continued service until their contract obligations are fulfilled?

Liken it to a general contracting project at a homesite. I sign an agreement with a sub that says they will provide XYZ work and I will pay them x now, and y later. If they do not accomplish said work, depending on the contract wording, I can hold out on payment to them for incomplete work. In this case, it is the opposite. I have completed the work as specified in the contract, per their requests, and they are not properly compensating me per the written agreement.

Again, I really wish you worked here.

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

Just an interjection here- just because someone has strong feelings on something doesn't mean they are the best person for the job.

I was asked to run for LEC rep this last election, but I did not as I do not consider myself a good enough politician (it is political) to do it. I say what's on my mind, which does not work very well.

I'm glad you recognize the importance of politics in the process, and I think your answer is a pretty good one to the question. For what it's worth, I think you'd probably do a pretty good job, though.

However I do stay intently involved with our LEC. The irony is- and Todd, listen up here- whenever a member calls out a union rep, the usual response is 'well, get involved, then you can complain." We did get involved- very. Then we got called "a vocal minority." Ain't that a peach?

"Vocal minority" is a typical term that is used when reps don't have a valid response to something. I avoid it as much as possible, although there are times when a vocal minority truly does exist. It's usually a copout, though.

I think the point I'm making is that step one should always be to call the rep directly and give him a chance to explain BEFORE you go and call him out publicly. Like I said, that's just good CRM.

Take a step back, and look what you are becoming.

You'll have to be more specific. What am I "becoming?"

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

I'm glad you recognize the importance of politics in the process, and I think your answer is a pretty good one to the question. For what it's worth, I think you'd probably do a pretty good job, though.

Thanks! Scope and the betterment (is that a word?) of the profession are very high priorities of mine, however my main talents lie in standards. I can see myself getting involved in pro standards, but not a rep position. I honestly just don't have the desire to have that position- too much time off the line and dealing with too many issues that I wouldn't justly spend enough time on. I know there are better peeps for the job!

"Vocal minority" is a typical term that is used when reps don't have a valid response to something. I avoid it as much as possible, although there are times when a vocal minority truly does exist. It's usually a copout, though.

I think the point I'm making is that step one should always be to call the rep directly and give him a chance to explain BEFORE you go and call him out publicly. Like I said, that's just good CRM.

Oh trust me, it was a long process that garnered the attention all the way up to LM. All the right avenues were utilized, but they felt their power threatened. You know what happens from there...

You'll have to be more specific. What am I "becoming?"

Some of your posts on here show signs of becoming the dreaded "unionoid." What I mean by that is getting institutionalized in ALPA and becoming too political... justifying and selling things to the pilot group when you should be giving as unbiased information as possible. Understand that mgmt is not the end all be all evil, and ALPA is not the end all be all good.... the vice versa is also untrue.

There has to be practicality with the union politics- and when it gets too political and too watered down, its time for a big change. Don't let yourself get caught in that! Many MEC guys fall down that path after being so indoctrinated in Herndon.

Btw- lookin sharp in that picket!

 

[higney85]

I was waiting for it to turn into the south park episode
[YT]KLni3wbndls[/YT]


Good luck guys.

 

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

Oh trust me, it was a long process that garnered the attention all the way up to LM. All the right avenues were utilized, but they felt their power threatened. You know what happens from there...

Yeah, some people asked me for names. I refused to provide any, but some people weren't happy, and it wasn't just the DAL guys. Other DCI reps weren't too happy that CPS was getting special attention. They really didn't like it when I mentioned that I provided some advice for the resolution.

Some of your posts on here show signs of becoming the dreaded "unionoid."

I think you've misunderstood some posts, but I'll take your comments under advisement. Never hurts to have a reminder.