Colgan Pilots ALPA Organizing Committee

Compensation is an issue, but not the biggest issue. Evem miserable pay can be made bearable by better QOL. One does not necessarily require the other to exist. More money will always help of course, but there are other ways to make things better. Yes, I did just say there are more important considerations than just money. Consistent and accountable scheduling for a HUGE example, and I don't mean simple stuff like hotel/travel reservations. That kind of stuff should be done properly to begin with and not require being specifically address in pilot group negotiations (last time I checked, that's part of their job as crew schedulers). So basically I don't think the adjustment of payscales would necessarily diffuse a union drive. That's just my personal opinion though, and you know what they say about opinions.

You know for all the whining I may or may not do, I like it here. I like the people I work with, I even really like the people I work FOR most of the time. The big problem is, those aren't exactly the same people anymore no matter what anyone may try to get us to believe. I also believe in leaving things as good or better than I found it for those who come after me. One way or another we have to do something.
 
AmazingPilot said:
If it is any constelation, I know the main request by the pilot group will be compensation. If the company is not willing to change payscales in an attempt to diffuse the union, then I can guarantee that the Colgan Pilot Group will back the union and push for its formation.
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As someone currently flying for the guys that bought you, they'd LOVE for you to just settle for compensation issues. It's not the money that sucks so badly over here, it's the QOL stuff. Their "last best and final offer" included a huge raise for the FOs, but when you read between the lines, they screwed us on scope, days off, reserve periods (like the previously mentioned "5 hours on reserve at the airport in case we need you" clause), health benefits and duty periods. But hey, it's all about the $$$ right?
 
just in case you forgot your :sarcasm: on the last question, i dropped it off for you (i could hear it was missing) ;)
 
kellwolf said:
As someone currently flying for the guys that bought you, they'd LOVE for you to just settle for compensation issues. It's not the money that sucks so badly over here, it's the QOL stuff. Their "last best and final offer" included a huge raise for the FOs, but when you read between the lines, they screwed us on scope, days off, reserve periods (like the previously mentioned "5 hours on reserve at the airport in case we need you" clause), health benefits and duty periods. But hey, it's all about the $$$ right?
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I'm not saying it all about the money, however for the most part people at Colgan have adopted to the inconveniece of outstation basing, random scheduling changes, and duty periods. Colgan does have its hangs up, management knows this and I do truly believe their is a conscious effort to improve things. I've seen this company improve on alot of fronts over the past few years and yes they still do have their problems.
For the most part the hot reserve issues, scope clause issues, days off, and duty periods all seem to be okay, average with the industry but nothing terrible. It is all part of the life at a regional airline, all parts that the pilots here have adopted to.
Then again we do not know the Pinnacle management as well as you and other pinnacle pilots do. Its just hard to ask for changes when things are okay, not great, but okay for the time being.
The biggest hang up here is the pay though, we are the new low for the Q400 in the industry.
 
AmazingPilot said:
Then again we do not know the Pinnacle management as well as you and other pinnacle pilots do. Its just hard to ask for changes when things are okay, not great, but okay for the time being.
The biggest hang up here is the pay though, we are the new low for the Q400 in the industry.
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Trust me, just giving in to get the pay raised, they'll rake you over the coals. It'll be just like the "boiling frog" syndrome. At first, it'll be okay, and then they'll slow turn the heat up little by little. Next thing you know, Pinnacle is furloughing b/c all of our stuff got moved over to Colgan, and you guys are flying CRJs for Saab rates.

They tried the same thing with us and 76 seaters on the pay rates. They offered the CAs a small increase and the FOs nothing. Then they tried to say we lost the 76 seaters b/c we wouldn't agree to it. Nevermind the fact that they went to an airline with HIGHER CA/FO pay scales....
 
AmazingPilot said:
I'm not saying it all about the money, however for the most part people at Colgan have adopted to the inconveniece of outstation basing, random scheduling changes, and duty periods. Colgan does have its hangs up, management knows this and I do truly believe their is a conscious effort to improve things. I've seen this company improve on alot of fronts over the past few years and yes they still do have their problems.
For the most part the hot reserve issues, scope clause issues, days off, and duty periods all seem to be okay, average with the industry but nothing terrible. It is all part of the life at a regional airline, all parts that the pilots here have adopted to.
Then again we do not know the Pinnacle management as well as you and other pinnacle pilots do. Its just hard to ask for changes when things are okay, not great, but okay for the time being.
The biggest hang up here is the pay though, we are the new low for the Q400 in the industry.
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I'm trying to follow your logic here. You say outstation basing is a bad thing, while hot reserve is a good thing?

Personally I would LOVE to go to Colgan in a couple of years and be based in BHB on the Beech and be home (nearly) every night. If you live in base and have some attachment to said base, outstation basing is the best thing since sliced bread.

Hot reserve absolutely sucks, that is unless you enjoy wandering around the airport in your 'amazing' uniform to pick up chicks at the terminal restaurant.:rolleyes:
 
OldTownPilot said:
I'm trying to follow your logic here. You say outstation basing is a bad thing, while hot reserve is a good thing?

Personally I would LOVE to go to Colgan in a couple of years and be based in BHB on the Beech and be home (nearly) every night. If you live in base and have some attachment to said base, outstation basing is the best thing since sliced bread.

Hot reserve absolutely sucks, that is unless you enjoy wandering around the airport in your 'amazing' uniform to pick up chicks at the terminal restaurant.:rolleyes:
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Outstation basing can be a good or bad thing depending on your standpoint, I do feel their is less hot reserve time with outstation basing.
 
Hmmm... how about you get a contract in place and then you might not even HAVE hot reserve.:insane:

I swear, ALPA's new motto should be "It more then just the Benjamin's."
 
AmazingPilot said:
For the most part the hot reserve issues, scope clause issues, days off, and duty periods all seem to be okay, average with the industry but nothing terrible.
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Just out of curiosity WHAT scope clause issues have we had at Colgan prior to the Pinnacle purchase?
 
Seggy said:
Just out of curiosity WHAT scope clause issues have we had at Colgan prior to the Pinnacle purchase?
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None, we don't have scope clause issues, but with a union we would have to have some type of scope clause. Since all of our new flying has always gone to us why would we need a scope clause.
 
AmazingPilot said:
None, we don't have scope clause issues, but with a union we would have to have some type of scope clause. Since all of our new flying has always gone to us why would we need a scope clause.
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I hear Air Midwest is looking for a buyer. Maybe 9E can snag them cheap too. Their 1900 rates make you guys look good. Can you say transfer of assets?
 
BobDDuck said:
I hear Air Midwest is looking for a buyer. Maybe 9E can snag them cheap too. Their 1900 rates make you guys look good. Can you say transfer of assets?
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BobDDuck, I wasn't trying to sell the non-scope clause idea as good one.
Seggy asked me about scope clause, and why I considered that to be an issue since we don't have one. My response to that was my statement we don't have a scope clause and this issue will have to be addressed by a union, that is my entire point.
 
AmazingPilot said:
Sorry for the typo,
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Which one? I find myself reading your posts twice each time to get the context right....since you're word choices are sometimes poor....imo

For example:
I think you mean the Colgan pilots have ADAPTED to the schedules, etc... not adopted.....but hey, keep your company line coming. It's good to hear the kool-aid opinions as well.
 
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