ASA getting 900s early....

[kellwolf]

Yes we deserve different payrate to fly a larger plane. But comparing our payrates with the rest of the regionals, looks like we've been flying the 700 around for 900 pay....

And what happens when the other airlines jump your newly signed contract on pay? The point I'm trying to make is you're comparing your NEW contract pay rates with guys that have had pay rates for several years. Now, if say, Mesaba or Pinnacle signed a new contract tomorrow with lower pay rates for 700/900s that you've got, well, you'd have an argument. Mesa shot us all in the foot with their pay rates on their new contract. Mesaba's rates were established in bankruptcy court (though the snapbacks are gonna help) and Pinnacle's -900 rates were assigned by an arbitrator. ASA's were voted on and approved by the pilots and will stick for several years. It's VERY possible that in about 2 years, you might be flying that -900 for less than everyone else.

On the whole larger airplane thing....where do you draw the line? Are you HAPPY flying that 76 jet for that pay? Why not make it an EMB-195 for that pay. After all, it's only a few more seats, right? See the slippery slope that's starting here? JO already tried to get guys to sign on a 737 for Mesa rates. That backfired, thankfully.

 

[surreal1221]

Steve, just remember that our (well. . .excuse me. . .) ASA's contract is amendable Fall of 2010. So, we'll (grr!! excuse me. . .they'll) be in section 6 like a lot of companies. Here's to you guys setting the bar high.

 

[Trip7]

And what happens when the other airlines jump your newly signed contract on pay? The point I'm trying to make is you're comparing your NEW contract pay rates with guys that have had pay rates for several years. Now, if say, Mesaba or Pinnacle signed a new contract tomorrow with lower pay rates for 700/900s that you've got, well, you'd have an argument. Mesa shot us all in the foot with their pay rates on their new contract. Mesaba's rates were established in bankruptcy court (though the snapbacks are gonna help) and Pinnacle's -900 rates were assigned by an arbitrator. ASA's were voted on and approved by the pilots and will stick for several years. It's VERY possible that in about 2 years, you might be flying that -900 for less than everyone else.

On the whole larger airplane thing....where do you draw the line? Are you HAPPY flying that 76 jet for that pay? Why not make it an EMB-195 for that pay. After all, it's only a few more seats, right? See the slippery slope that's starting here? JO already tried to get guys to sign on a 737 for Mesa rates. That backfired, thankfully.

Good point. You're right that our contract is pretty new. But I believe we set the bar high. As far as where to draw then line, that's a gray area. I sincerely don't believe 6 seats is over that line. Now if we happened to pick up 86 seat 900 flying for Airways, I would STRONGLY be behind a "come to jesus" meeting with management.

Steve, just remember that our (well. . .excuse me. . .) ASA's contract is amendable Fall of 2010. So, we'll (grr!! excuse me. . .they'll) be in section 6 like a lot of companies. Here's to you guys setting the bar high.

:yeahthat:

 

[kellwolf]

Good point. You're right that our contract is pretty new. But I believe we set the bar high. As far as where to draw then line, that's a gray area. I sincerely don't believe 6 seats is over that line. Now if we happened to pick up 86 seat 900 flying for Airways, I would STRONGLY be behind a "come to jesus" meeting with management.

I don't think it really set the bar that high on pay rates. As you mentioned, it basically just matched what was already out there. Looking at 5 year CA pay, you guys are getting the same as the arbitrator gave us on the -900. Mesaba's bankruptcy contract has the same rate, too. If it was truly setting the bar high, it would have gone beyond matching.

Then again, I haven't seen a TA here yet, so who knows what we'll do...or not do.