Skywest doing the branded thing?

As for SAPA being free, you and I are actually paying for through the reduction (nickel and dime) of benefits and work rules.

A few examples:

Increase health care costs

Loss of cancellation pay

Reserve Bucket System

PBS

Ready reserve

Loss annual bonus, replaced by inferior performance rewards

No COL increases

No change in Vacation/User accrual rates in 15 years

On again, off again, on again new hire pay

Double bunking in training
Good points (except what's wrong with PBS?). But compare all of that to what Mesa puts up with. I rest my case.
 
Man, I just proved to you that we are getting no more screwed than you are. Obviosly you're too lazy to read my post. Maybe if you get furloughed you'll do your research and realize SKW isn't so bad. If so, I'll be happy to write you an LOR.

You don't think a union would help you.

I do.

We can't find any common ground.

There's no point in arguing, so I'm not gonna continue to simply try to ram rod this down your throat. I've work at a non union shop, and now I'm working at a union carrier. I've seen the difference, and most of what you're saying is patently false. If you'd like to continue, we can do it through PM's but I'm not interested in mucking up Doug's forums.
 
Oh for frack's sake people.

A few points.

Flyguy, unless you want to stay at Skywest your entire career, I wouldn't discount the value of union (not non-federally recognized 'employee associations'). I'll tell you that everywhere else you want to go down the road* has a legally NMB-binding contract negotiated by a union. Don't be the "Hey, weren't you the one that discounted union membership, but now you've got a grievance" guy.

Republic is growing into a monster. I'd be afraid that they may go into acquisition mode and personally I'd consider something a little stronger than an association to protect my interests during a potential M&A wildfire.

To everyone. If you're "Mesa-plus X", it does NOT mean you're getting a smoking deal. Yes, they've got problems because they're competing with everyone else cost-wise. I'll make everyone a gentleman's bet here, every regional and major airline will have it's swirl around the toilet bowl. The higher on the food chain you are of actually owning (and not simply bidding) for routes periodically, the better off you'll be.

I preach that daily, but lots of folks don't listen.

But I've found peace with that! :) Seriously.

Because people move from regional "A" to regional "B" does not mean that regional "B" is the shiznit. It simply means that there were a lot of people making lateral moves because the grass is always greener.

Really folks, it's not. Let's nip that in the bud off the bat.

People leave Delta for Air Tran, Air Tran to Delta. UPS to United, United to UPS... Southwest to American, American to Southwest. Some folks chase the "airline du jour". We'll all have our time in the sewer and we'll all have our time basking on the sunny hilltop of "The Airline to Work For(tm)".

Don't burn bridges. Make pals. NETWORK. COMMUNICATE. Folks on all three sides of the issue need to communicate rationally, not egotistically.

Look at the history of the business folks. It applies today like it did back in the Eastern, Braniff and TWA days.

* Edit: FDX, UPS, Air Tran, SWA, etc...
 
If skywest is so much better than everyone else than it shows how much there still is that can be lost unless their pilots can put pen to paper and establish something that actually has legal meaning.

Otherwise, flyguy, the skywest you work for today may not be the same one you might make a career out of. Management will for the most part retire before you do.

JO-style management would have a field day with a non union airline.
 
I've been hearing ever increasing "chatter", if you will, first amongst pilots now amongst several investors that SKYW may be looking into a Skywest Airlines branded operation.

Anyone else heard such "chatter"?

They've been talking about that since the 90's!

I don't think it will happen any time soon. Specially from what I hear about expressjet losing money on theirs.
 
I forgot to ask, and not that it makes it okay in the long run, but what company (public or private) provides raises per year that exceed, or keep up with inflation? Minus Google (lol).

The one I work for gave me one last year.

So it's not unheard of.
 
Who's to say they won't think $25 per hour is more competative come contract time. If we don't like it we can strike. You're right. That's much better.

Instead of drinking this...

koolaid.jpg


You should really be doing your research on what a strike is and the benefits of ALPA.

You strike at a nonunion carrier have fun in jail and paying the millions of dollars of fines you will need to pay.
 
Reading stuff like this makes me happy I don't work for the regionals. Not saying it wouldn't ever happen, but I make just as much as a 3rd year Skywest Captain while only working 1-2 days a week with 10 weeks of vacation per year. All this as a lowly copilot too...

Have fun with the rat race to the bottom.
 
Reading stuff like this makes me happy I don't work for the regionals. Not saying it wouldn't ever happen, but I make just as much as a 3rd year Skywest Captain while only working 1-2 days a week with 10 weeks of vacation per year. All this as a lowly copilot too...

Have fun with the rat race to the bottom.


Is that you, Brand X????

:rolleyes: :whatever:

Nice post! :(
 
You can strike????? I'd LOVE to see a non-union airline pull that off.
I was saying IF we vote ALPA in management may want to re-arrange the pay come contract time. THEN we'd have the option of striking.

Alright here's my last word and then I'm out. I think I'm being a little misunderstood here.

The reason I'm opposed to ALPA is not because I'd have to pay now and won't see bennefits until I'm gone. I'm not just looking out after my own interests. I really believe we are better off without them, as are those who follow in my footsteps. However, I do feel it is extreemely unfair to ask the current pilot group to pay for the union that tomorrow's pilot group will be represented by, while tomorrow's pilot group has no say in whether or not they even want them there. But that is not the main reason I'm opposed to it. If things were bad here, I'd vote yes in hopes that those who come after me might have a better experience.

I respect the opinions of the SkyWest pilots here who believe that ALPA is the answer. You have been there longer than me, and perhaps I will share your opinion in a few years. However, in the mean time I trust my own research as well as that of 99% of the other SkyWest pilots with whome I've spoken to in my short time there.

For the record I am NOT anti-union by any means. I don't want ALPA at SkyWest (for now) because I don't believe we need them now. The majority of the airlines out there for sure are better off with them. ExpressJet is a good company to work for, and I'm certainly not suggesting they dump their union. For a lot of airlines, God help them if they didn't have a union. If I end up at one of them, I'll be on board. But as of right now, I'm happy at SkyWest and so are the majority of the employees. Management takes care of its employees. Until that changes, I see no reason to piss them off and pull the rug out from under them. It may make things worse. Why risk it when we have a good thing going? This is not the first SkyWest union drive, and I'm sure it won't be the last. If morale drops in the future, then that will be the time to get a union. This is not the time.
 
...I don't want ALPA at SkyWest (for now) because I don't believe we need them now.... If morale drops in the future, then that will be the time to get a union. This is not the time.


Ok.

Then what happens if the day after the vote, MESA buys Skywest and replaces the management team? Have fun there then!

Stranger things have and will happen in this industry
 
Is that you, Brand X????

:rolleyes: :whatever:

Nice post! :(

It was perfectly normal.

Everyone here is fighting like teenage school girls. Grow up.

If you don't like what's KNOWN before applying/accepting a job, don't take the job.

Plus, I'm trying to let people know there are other jobs out there that don't treat you like crap.

Good luck in your fight but it's a going to be never ending battle that will only screw each other. There are too many pilots from different backgrounds so getting everyone to agree on something is impossible.
 
I was saying IF we vote ALPA in management may want to re-arrange the pay come contract time.

Alright here's my last word and then I'm out. i think I'm being a little misunderstood here.
That's probably a good idea. Because it seems to me, every time you write something, you just reaffirm your only concern in this matter is yourself.

The reason I'm opposed to ALPA is not because I'd have to pay now and won't see bennefits until I'm gone. I'm not just looking out after my own interests. I really believe we are better off without them, as are those who follow in my footsteps. However, I do feel it is extreemely unfair to ask the current pilot group to pay for the union that tomorrow's pilot group will be represented by, while tomorrow's pilot group has no say in whether or not they even want them there. But that is not the main reason I'm opposed to it. If things were bad here, I'd vote yes in hopes that those who come after me might have a better experience.

I respect the opinions of the SkyWest pilots here who believe that ALPA is the answer. You have been there longer than me, and perhaps I will share your opinion in a few years. However, in the mean time I trust my own research as well as that of 99% of the other SkyWest pilots with whome I've spoken to in my short time there.

You mentioned you hoped to be gone from SKW within four years. Where are you planning on going? A major perhaps? Guess what???? The pilots who are currently at the major you're hoping to be employeed with in four years are paying dues to ALPA to improve the conditions for when you arrive!!!!

Sorry, but your arguments are filled with contradictory talk, through and through.

For the record I am NOT anti-union by any means. I don't want ALPA at SkyWest (for now) because I don't believe we need them now. The majority of the airlines out there for sure are better off with them. ExpressJet is a good company to work for, and I'm certainly not suggesting they dump their union. For a lot of airlines, God help them if they didn't have a union. If I end up at one of them, I'll be on board. But as of right now, I'm happy at SkyWest and so are the majority of the employees. Management takes care of its employees. Until that changes, I see no reason to piss them off and pull the rug out from under them. It may make things worse. Why risk it when we have a good thing going? This is not the first SkyWest union drive, and I'm sure it won't be the last. If morale drops in the future, then that will be the time to get a union. This is not the time.

Oh ok, why be proactive in your career? Since things are fine now, In your opinion, it's better to wait until it's too late to do anything....at least that's the message you're projecting. You know, just because you don't need representation today, doesn't mean you won't need it tomorrow. I've got news for you, representation doesn't come overnight......you do need it NOW. [SIZE=-4](for the record, I am of the opinion we ALL need representation, NOW.....If for no other reason than to have a voice when decisions are being made that will affect your future.)




[/SIZE]
 
It was perfectly normal.

Your post came across as being very pompous and insulting. Maybe wasn't your intent though. If that's the case, sorry for the imply your post was Brand X style.

Everyone here is fighting like teenage school girls. Grow up.
Nope, don't think anyone is fighting. Just providing opinions regarding the reasons union representation is a benefit to all pilots. No need to grow up though. I'm glad you have a ton of vacation and are compensated properly. GOOD FOR YOU, seriously!


If you don't like what's KNOWN before applying/accepting a job, don't take the job.

I'm happy with my career choice, thank you very much. I want to be at the airlines and knew what I had signed up for....GOOD FOR ME.

Plus, I'm trying to let people know there are other jobs out there that don't treat you like crap.

I'm glad you've managed to find what you're looking for as a profession pilot. Pay it forward and help someone else get a great job.....like the one you have. I think most people know there are other options besides the regionals.

Good luck in your fight but it's a going to be never ending battle that will only screw each other. There are too many pilots from different backgrounds so getting everyone to agree on something is impossible.

Again, no fighting here. Differing opinions, sure. :)
 
How is one not anti-union when they don't support unionization at their own company? This is not really possible.
Same way someone can be pro-choice and choose not to have an abortion.

That's it. I'm not reading this thread anymore. If anyone has any more questions for me, send a PM.
 
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