Buck, on 19 March 2012 - 04:16 PM, said:
If you believe that all of those TWU represented groups are truly separate you need to take a look in the mirror and yourself that question.
Ok I understand what you mean, but how are you going to divide the Title I group?
When you look at the seniority list which NON-A&P's are you going to tell that they will take less compensation because you are a line mechanic?
Do you believe that the company will give skill premium pay for OH just to make everyone equal, like the machinist, welders and facilities mechanics? Where are you going to draw the line?
and, is it fair to auto shop mechanics that make the same as AMT's even though auto shop mechanics at dealerships make about twice as much??
A facilities mechanic making the same as AMT's even though master electricians and journeyman plumbers make much more.
same goes for Line and OH mechanics, Buck.
The problem doesn't lie with the Line mechanics because WE want to get compensated like our peers at UPS, WN, and Fed Ex.....the problem is OH that continues to believe their peers at MRO's make $34/hr. And, they don't.
Line & OH provide AA with a different service to it's operation. I would be completely lost doing sheet metal work, while some at overhaul have never troubleshot autopilot systems. Should WE get paid the same......I don't because OH doesn't have management breathing down your necks when 200+ passengers are getting agitated and want to go to UA. That's the premium of working Line maintenance that WN, UPS, and Fed Ex places in paying Line mechanics $45/hr.
In retrospect, are WE all A&P's, yes, and am I better than you as a mechanic, NO. But, I am more experienced at moving airplanes off the gate on time. Does AA appreciate that? apparently not when they want to eliminate the avionics shop. Good luck to them!