US Airways ALPA MEC Chairman’s Message

[Atlantic]

I for one have a problem with someone posting a message tht is sent to ALPA East pilots only. This board is a combo of Springer and a weard lonely hearts club. Once in a while there is some useful info., but come on. How often. 700 and his oddballs chime in, Airbus {pick the number} come back stuck on dumb as well.
We live in the greatest country in the world. Were did "class" get lost?

 

[Callsign_Cactus]

The problem here is that the east pilot group is not the cause of our oeprational woes. So where is your leverage again? If this were true you would be seeing the Company take action and publicy announcing that is the reason they are so screwed up - you know, a scapegoat.

Overall you guys are doing a pretty good job! Way to go!

At this point, with all operational indicators in the sewer, pay parity for the East pilot group would be a sound business move. Management would see IMMEDIATE improvement in their operational numbers and give them a little breathing room to finish sorting out continued IT and other issues. The only downside is how loud the West MEC screams "WHERE'S OURS?"

We can scream just as loud, "WHO CARES?"...and there are more of us.

A320 Driver B)

Waiting impatiently on my raise.

 

[Callsign_Cactus]

The right thing for the Company to do is give the east pilots pay parity. It should have been done day one of the merger and I hope you guys do get it, but it would surprise me knowing this managment team.

As far as your reference to each pilot group maintaining their respective career expections, that is a big bunch of horse cr@p you ...:censored:

Day one of the merger west pilots career expectations took a dump and easties have enjoyed what they have today because of it. So you can take that little nugget and shove it!!!

Face the reality, everyone knows the old US Airways was days away from complete liquidation or massive downsizing. Your own CEO admitted the desperation for cash and a partner to save the airline, but yet you guys think there was some bright shining future beholden to you. We needed each other to make this work, and now we have a new airline comprised of both pilot groups but that is just not good enough for you guys, you want it all. Sorry, not going to happen.

Doug Parker called Jack Stephan last week and asked Jack what could be done to fix the operational problems and the Nicolau Award.

It is my understanding Jack responded that pay and vacation parity, living under the remainder of LOA 93, and keeping the pilot groups separate would be a good option. Apparently, the company is not objecting to this option.

Next the MEC discussed this option and released its code a phone message on the subject.

See Story

Negotiations separate of JNC talks have already begun, but I could not report this last week, even though I alluded to this.

Again, the benefit to this plan is there is pay parity, which is good for all pilot groups across the industry, and each US Airways pilot group maintains its pre-merger career expectation.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[320driver]

POST DELETED BY MODERATOR--Obscene remarks are not permitted, and attacks on other work groups do nothing but flame--another violation.

 

[oldiebutgoody]

Day one of the merger west pilots career expectations took a dump and easties have enjoyed what they have today because of it. So you can take that little nugget and shove it!!!

And your CEO AND your President said the same was going to happen to AWA. Why didn't Nicolau listen to their statements? I hope someone is looking into the relationships between the lawyers for both sides and the objectivity of Mr. Nicolau. That, and the facts that he apparently disregarded the seniority list submitted by the East MEC in favor of some other list which was favored by the West. Mr N's objectivity is clearly in question. There's no way you'll convince me that the award was not one-sided, based on the amount of vitriole in favor of the award coming from the West and against from the East. I've NEVER seen a more lop sided argument. EVER.

No, I'm not an East pilot.

Now, back to lurking.....

 

[careerfurloughee]

DELETED BY MODERATOR

Hey Atlantic,

What were you asking about "Were(sic) did "class" get lost?"? LOL

 

[Callsign_Cactus]

Our CEO said what? We would likely have gone into BK? Yes he said that and Nicolau heard those arguments and was very much aware of what Doug said. East relishes in the thought that there is some new revelation with "Operation Zanzibar", or whatever, that Kirby mentioned somewhere. This is nothing new, and in fact, most carriers at the time were facing BK possibilities and quite a few actually saw it, but that is a far cry from where US stood - LIQUIDATION!!! See the big difference.

You’re right, this award was a little unfair – 500 east pilots placed at the top of the list is a travesty for our senior guys at AWA. Nicolau failed to recognize seniority with our top guys and that my friend is a windfall. The rest of the ward was a straight seniority integration based on ratios. You heard that right; Nicolau did the most horrendous job by preserving everyone’s seniority!! However, east does not desire to preserve seniority in any stretch of the imagination, they want to preserve their longevity with a failed carrier. Got news for you pal, your bottom dwelling position as an FO after 20 years with your Company is worth about as much as mine with much less time. That’s just a fact that is apparently too painful to understand or accept by the east pilots.

Do you, or anyone in the east, understand the difference between Seniority and Longevity???????????

And your CEO AND your President said the same was going to happen to AWA. Why didn't Nicolau listen to their statements? I hope someone is looking into the relationships between the lawyers for both sides and the objectivity of Mr. Nicolau. That, and the facts that he apparently disregarded the seniority list submitted by the East MEC in favor of some other list which was favored by the West. Mr N's objectivity is clearly in question. There's no way you'll convince me that the award was not one-sided, based on the amount of vitriole in favor of the award coming from the West and against from the East. I've NEVER seen a more lop sided argument. EVER.

No, I'm not an East pilot.

Now, back to lurking.....

 

[Dog Wonder]

Hooray.

More gas on a fire no one wants to piss on to put out.

 

[BajaBabe]

First of all BJ I was there when you and your comrades literally gave away your pension plan. You choose not to have an actuary present alternate proposals. If the pilots think that you are the chosen word OH my God Jack you have fooled them all. I do not consider you a Union maverick and at the end of the day it will be about you and the other USAirways fools. BEBE and POLLICK and the rest of the dog and pony show .Damm I wish you were dealing with Men who were not so beaten. Its like saying to the Jews your families have died but somehow you have survived. You should be ashamed of yourself you big pompious a.s

 

[ussnark]

You’re right, this award was a little unfair – 500 east pilots placed at the top of the list is a travesty for our senior guys at AWA.

"senior guys". Um, would those be the scabs from Wien or those that scabbed Ansett? Just curious.

 

[oldiebutgoody]

"senior guys". Um, would those be the scabs from Wien or those that scabbed Ansett? Just curious.

And those 500 guys are already where they're gonna be no matter what. Absolutely NOTHING was given up by anybody or gained by anybody for this part of the award. If you don't understand that, it's no wonder you don't understand the problems with the rest of the award.

The entire US Airways company lost because of this award, not just the East pilots. The company will be operating under a black cloud until it gets resolved.

By the way Baja, who's BJ?

 

[Callsign_Cactus]

It will not not "get resolved" because it is fair and ALPA merger policy was followed to the letter. I think Prater's recent speech says it all and I implore the east pilots to read it - "The truth will set you free"


http://www.alpa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=179

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From the President


Leaders Make the Tough Calls

After serving as your president for six months, I can assure you that the job is both the best and the toughest I’ve ever had.

I have enjoyed nothing more than getting out on the road to meet with line pilots at road shows and rallies. Everywhere I’ve been, you’ve looked me in the eye and told me what is on your mind. You are sick of greedy CEOs who reward themselves after you sacrificed billions to save your airline. You are fed up with schedules and managers who push you to fly longer because of staffing decisions. You are tired of TSA screeners treating you like the threat.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it now—we can take it back, but we can’t take it back overnight, and we won’t take it back by flying solo. Forcing those CEOs to pay up for your sacrifice is going to take time and unified efforts. Changing airport screening procedures is going to take political strength, and we have begun to make progress at the TSA, the FAA, and Congress. And we have a long slog ahead to tackle the ancient flight-time/duty-time rules and garner support in Congress on this most basic safety aspect of our work lives.

We are in the middle of negotiations at Alaska, Atlantic Southeast, Pinnacle, and US Airways. We are preparing for full negotiations at Mesa and Continental and are in push mode to find interim solutions at airlines whose contracts are not amendable for years.

I’ve made it clear to the news media, financial analysts, and airline CEOs that we are not going away. I’ve met with the head of the TSA to present our CrewPASS initiative with our union building the prototype and working on its adoption. And I have testified several times before Congress on our views on pilot fatigue, other safety issues, and pensions.

The hardest part of my job has been dealing with issues that pit pilot against pilot. Chief among these have been Age 60 and the aftermath of the merger of US Airways and America West. In both cases, however, we have taken it head-on, refusing to skirt the issues where large numbers of pilots hold diametrically opposed opinions. The Executive Board and the Executive Council have used their command authority within our union and not shied away from dealing with the hard issues that affect individual careers and the future of our profession.

The Executive Board’s week-long debate on the ALPA position on Age 60 is a superb example of the Board’s fulfilling its heavy responsibility. The MEC chairmen, who make up the Board, looked at the issue from all sides and chose a course of action. You may disagree with the outcome, but I want you to know that these pilot representatives worked together to find a way for ALPA to effectively deal with the reality of the situation to influence the eventual outcome and not cede the influence to other parties.

At US Airways, we are seeing the results of one of ALPA’s most challenging mergers. ALPA merger policy requires me, the other national officers, the Executive Council, and ALPA staff to maintain “a neutral position on the merits†with respect to seniority integration. It also says, “The role of ALPA in seniority integration is solely to provide the process by which the affected pilot groups on ALPA airlines arrive at the merged seniority list for presentation to management, through their respective merger representatives, using arbitration if necessary. Responsibility for the merged seniority list falls upon the respective merger representatives.…â€

The two pilot groups made every decision along the way. They raised their own funds to pay for their own counsel. They gave direction to their merger committees regarding what positions to take in both the negotiations and mediation and ultimately the decision to send the issue to arbitration over the method of integrating the seniority lists. They consented to the fact that the decision would be, as ALPA policy states, “final and binding.â€

ALPA’s Executive Council, at its May meeting, heard presentations from the two pilot groups regarding their opposing views on the award. The Council has decided to continue its deliberations at a June meeting.

Separate from the efforts of the Council, I am working with both MECs and the Joint Negotiations Committee to develop a strategy to support ongoing negotiations with their management. ALPA’s goal is to make sure that their contract provides measurable improvement in the pay and benefits of all pilots flying for the new US Airways and establishes the pattern of recovery for all of our members. Takin’ It Back means from management—not from each other.

Be sure to welcome our newest members to ALPA when you hear the call sign, Cappy, of the Capital Cargo pilots.

And those 500 guys are already where they're gonna be no matter what. Absolutely NOTHING was given up by anybody or gained by anybody for this part of the award. If you don't understand that, it's no wonder you don't understand the problems with the rest of the award.

The entire US Airways company lost because of this award, not just the East pilots. The company will be operating under a black cloud until it gets resolved.

By the way Baja, who's BJ?

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

I for one have a problem with someone posting a message tht is sent to ALPA East pilots only. This board is a combo of Springer and a weard lonely hearts club. Once in a while there is some useful info., but come on. How often. 700 and his oddballs chime in, Airbus {pick the number} come back stuck on dumb as well.
We live in the greatest country in the world. Were did "class" get lost?

Try Airliners.net

 

[ussnark]

And those 500 guys are already where they're gonna be no matter what. Absolutely NOTHING was given up by anybody or gained by anybody for this part of the award. If you don't understand that, it's no wonder you don't understand the problems with the rest of the award.

The entire US Airways company lost because of this award, not just the East pilots. The company will be operating under a black cloud until it gets resolved.

By the way Baja, who's BJ?

I was replying to someone who felt the "senior guys" AWA pilots were entitled to the 500 positions. Please re-read.

I think Baja was referring to an activity rather than a person.

 

[Callsign_Cactus]

I think our guys were entitle to preserve their seniority, is that so hard to understand? The ratios should have started from the top with fences around the widebodies.

I was replying to someone who felt the "senior guys" AWA pilots were entitled to the 500 positions. Please re-read.

I think Baja was referring to an activity rather than a person.