The strike vote taken a few months back resulted in approx. 98% in favor of authorizing the MEC to call a strike. However, no strike can take place without being released (by the NMB) into a 30 day cooling off period, which doesn't appear to be likely any time soon. Most sections have been TA'd, with compensation being the biggest section remaining open. The sides were so far apart that talks broke down last week. Waiting on word from the NMB as to what they want next. Probably more talking, disagreeing, etc.
It depends on one's definition of "quality". There's many PO'd pilots due to the contract being amendable for 5 (?) years, amongst other things. We had an ineffective in house union during most of that time. Negotiations have only begun in earnest since voting in ALPA (and having their resources) and having enough pilots willing to do the work that it takes to get what we want/think we deserve. I think some pilots expected the company to come to us (and our crappy in house union) and shower us with good pay/benefits/work rules years ago, and when that didn't happen, the expectations now are that we are "owed" all that which we haven't had for the last 5 years. I would like to get all of that, but my opinion is that we have to pay a price (to a certain extent) for the union we used to have. There's a lot of differing opinions within the rank and file, and whatever is finally voted in is going to result in a certain number of unhappy pilots. Or put another way, it depends on whether one's anger is directed at the company or ourselves. Mine is directed at both. I personally don't think there will be a strike, but I've been wrong before...
It depends on one's definition of "quality". There's many PO'd pilots due to the contract being amendable for 5 (?) years, amongst other things. We had an ineffective in house union during most of that time. Negotiations have only begun in earnest since voting in ALPA (and having their resources) and having enough pilots willing to do the work that it takes to get what we want/think we deserve. I think some pilots expected the company to come to us (and our crappy in house union) and shower us with good pay/benefits/work rules years ago, and when that didn't happen, the expectations now are that we are "owed" all that which we haven't had for the last 5 years. I would like to get all of that, but my opinion is that we have to pay a price (to a certain extent) for the union we used to have. There's a lot of differing opinions within the rank and file, and whatever is finally voted in is going to result in a certain number of unhappy pilots. Or put another way, it depends on whether one's anger is directed at the company or ourselves. Mine is directed at both. I personally don't think there will be a strike, but I've been wrong before...
Just got off of our union web site (2239 EDT). Nothing on there about it.
My pleasure.
The 717 will be retired eventually (like everything else, eventually), but IIRC we have 80-something of them, so it won't be any time soon. As far as 800s go, there's always a rumor floating around about getting them. We are actually supposed to get a handful of additional 717s (used of course) soon. Several times, I've tried starting a rumor that we're getting L1011s, but it doesn't seem to catch on.
Our plans for growth seem to change each week. Some days its 0 growth, some days its a few percent. Contract talks just broke down this week, with both sides unable to come close to an agreement on compensation. Word is we'll hear something from the NMB in a few weeks. Gonna get very interesting soon...
