US Airways ALPA PHL Council 41 Update

[A320Driver]

US Airways ALPA PHL Council 41 Update - June 4, 2007

Why the List Can’t Be Fixed

Dear Philadelphia Pilots,

For those of you present at Herndon on May 21, 2007 that heard our Chairman, Jack Stephan, tell you and Captain Prater that we were not interested in fixing this list. You now need to know why your PHL Reps really do mean-it; the Nicolau “Awardâ€￾ can’t be fixed!

Numerous assumptions by the Arbitrator to build the list were base on fallacy. Obvious tenets of ALPA Merger policy were not applied by the Arbitrator as describe in our Presentation to the Executive Council of ALPA National. Mainly, and above all else the lack of application of avoiding windfalls at the expense of the other groups was completely missed. There was no test applied to the finished list as described to us by our pilot neutral. In addition the following items (to name a few) render the list un-repairable:

1. The lack of consideration for attrition brought to the merger by the AAA pilots. (4 to 1 ratio of attrition)

Wrong. See page 26-27 ALPA Arbitration Award

2. The MDA pilots being considered not active pilots at time of announced Merger. Arbitrator failed to recognize our certified list.

See page 20-21 The ALPA Arbitration Award

3. No active time applied for any furloughed pilots.

Still get longevity pay and recall rights.

4. No consideration of staffing formula differences between the two airlines. US Airways currently has fewer pilots per aircraft working more hours causing a discrepancy in equipment ratios that harms the US Airways pilots.

Wrong. See page 24-25 The ALPA Arbitration Award

5. The lack of disclosure of impending Bankruptcy filing of AWA under a plan called Project Zanzibar.

Didn't matter. See page 24-25 The ALPA Arbitration Award

6. Procedural errors in the Arbitration process.

Say What?

Any fix that is attempted would have to be tested against the next Merger or Consolidation. All of this leads to a broken list that can’t be fixed.

ALPA has but one choice, and that is to do the right thing and set this list aside. At that point, we can then consider the next steps to the process. Until that action is taken by National, we are not in a position to best represent out pilots in a fair and equitable manner.

All these items were addressed. You may not like how he ruled, but he did give all these items consideration. He found his best version of balance given all the evidence presented.

Have you read the reasoning behind the award?

 

[Bear96]

They don't have a good argument now, yet they are arguing about it to the death.

At exactly what point would you suggest we give up? Now, next week, or a year from now? We have nothing to lose.

Greeter.

Hey, do what you think you have to do. It just seems like a pointless waste of energy that will ultimately be unsuccessful and in the process end up doing more long-term harm than good.

But knock yourselves out.

 

[hp_fa]

How do you folks continue to overlook that your merger committee, via it's attorney, was warned by the arbitrator that it's position was untenable and they made a conscious decision not to heed the warning and continue on their regretable path?

 

[Walmartgreeter]

How do you folks continue to overlook that your merger committee, via it's attorney, was warned by the arbitrator that it's position was untenable and they made a conscious decision not to heed the warning and continue on their regretable path?

Really would not matter...as there is not supposed to be any "reward and punishment" to one pilot group based on the case they presented

Even though many of us are hard over on date of hire, those really in the know (not too many people on this forum, by the way) know the true case against this list has nothing to do with straight date of hire. It is about windfalls from attrition.

Does anyone here think at the end of June the EC is going to simply apply this reward (sorry, slip..I meant award) and go about their business?

As I have said before...I believe the list will stand..but never be implemented as written.

Greeter.

 

[Piedmont1984]

Pilot,

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I read the letter, and am trying to understand HOW it violates merger policy, so forgive my ignorance...

That said, while Tempe is responsible for many of the operational issues existant today, how are they responsible for the increased cancellations, slow taxis, etc., and calling flights for minor issues?
We all know that something is happening in the flight deck, and my point is that this kind of action will not help solve the problem-it will hasten the demise of the company--I am getting Eastern Deja Vu here......

As I have said in the past, I have always supported US and it's front line--if this continues, I fear I won't be able to any more.......and will have to report to my membership accordingly.

And for what it's worth, our members are being warmly welcomed by the competition--so there's a double edge sword there--many might not come back.

I continue to hope for the best, but I am not very optimistic at this time.

My best to you all.......

This pilot has not cancelled any flights. I simply choose not to do other people's jobs for them unless I can't stand it any more - or safety is an issue. In the past the airline operation depended on the cockpit crew to also get involved with catering, fueling, baggage handling, calling on the radio for this or that because someone did not do their job. When the pilots stop doing so, the operation reveals its shortcomings. This is a good thing, it needed to be fixed long ago.

These actions, and others you describe, account for a few minutes on either side of a typical flight segment. Understaffing, a chronic problem at this airline, is a major cause of cancellations, and it has spiked recently due to the company accelerating training, taking pilots off the line.

The biggest operational snafus of the last few months have been the computer migration, the aircraft reconfigurations, web site/reservations, and the Philly factor. Eliminate those and the passengers would not even notice what the pilots are doing.

Finally, it violates merger policy because significant windfalls accrued to one side at the expense of the other, because crucial and relevant testimony was ignored by the arbitrator (the MDA pilots), and becuase the underlying premise of the policy to be fair and equitable was missing in the award.

 

[AWA320]

All these items were addressed. You may not like how he ruled, but he did give all these items consideration. He found his best version of balance given all the evidence presented.

Have you read the reasoning behind the award?


It wouldn't matter to these people anyway. Replace "Full pay to the last day" Date of hire or die by fire. Thee never learn and all of the industry sees the bullys for who and what they are.

They will scream, kick, hold their breath, threten or anything they can to get their way. Well not this time folks cause we're fully prepard to give you as much as you put out.

End this madness accept the award and move on. Money is on the table and you people are allowing management to reep the benefits of your childish antics.

 

[Art at ISP]

Piedmont1984,

Thanks for the reply. As I said I am not here to stir it up, if you will, and I appreciate your thoughts on what's going on in the cockpit. Some of your colleagues, however, apparently feel a little different. While much of what you say is valid, the end result is that to most, perception is reality--need I say more?

My first point is further being born out by other posters here-still bickering--no one has a constructive idea..maybe that's the biggest problem.

You who know me know how I feel about this airline and its people. For me to say I have to recommend people book away for whatever reason hurts, but what can I do?

My best to you all.......

 

[Walmartgreeter]

Money is on the table and you people are allowing management to reep the benefits of your childish antics

Nope. No moneys for you. The money is in the longevity and attrition that the old man threw out the window....It is a fact that there is more money on the table for the East under their current contract and attrition than under even a puny pay raise to West rates.

We are suddenly very content over here, reaping the benefits of our Adult, experienced, logic.

Greeter.

 

[Piedmont1984]

All these items were addressed. You may not like how he ruled, but he did give all these items consideration. He found his best version of balance given all the evidence presented.

Have you read the reasoning behind the award?
It wouldn't matter to these people anyway. Replace "Full pay to the last day" Date of hire or die by fire. Thee never learn and all of the industry sees the bullys for who and what they are.

They will scream, kick, hold their breath, threten or anything they can to get their way. Well not this time folks cause we're fully prepard to give you as much as you put out.

End this madness accept the award and move on. Money is on the table and you people are allowing management to reep the benefits of your childish antics.

The problem is, when I read the reasoning behind the award I think...yeah, this makes sense, that makes sense.....but then when I read the list, my jaw drops and I say....is this the same guy? Nicolau needs to read his own rationale again - then compare it to the list he put out.

And either we are a bunch of bullies, or a bunch of toothless geriatrics that are spineless...which is it?

 

[Callsign_Cactus]

Reading between the lines and using the latest cryptography techniques, I have managed to decode the true meaning of the message.

Read the decoded message below:

US Airways ALPA PHL Council 41 Update - June 4, 2007

Why the List Can’t Be Fixed

Dear Philadelphia Pilots,

We did not get our way and we are very, very, very angry. We are so angry that we did not get our way that we will stomp our feet, lie, cheat, disregard any ALPA policy that does not conform to our ideology, rationalize, and hold our breath until we finally get our way, or else! Did we mention we are very, very, very angry?

It sets the stage for subsequent atrocities against members of ALPA, so let’s show them out of spite. After all, we have nothing to lose except our dignity and integrity. Not sure what those words mean exactly, but they can’t be more important than our “sweat equity.â€￾

Signed,

Capt. Eric Rowe, PHL LEC 41 Chairman
F/O David Ciabattoni, PHL LEC 41 Vice-Chairman
F/O James Portale, PHL LEC 41 Secretary/Treasurer

 

[AWA320]

Piedmont,

I never said that other and you know it!!! Bullies yes, whiners yes but that reference to age and spineless not me my man!

Which adult experience and logic is that?? Going to a town hall meeting in CLT and begging Parker to bring you up to AWA rates. Yeah that attempted end run was adult experienced logic. Answer no contract no money. Can't wait for the next Adult experienced logical move from the east peanut gallery of C41.

Maybe Rowe will threaten to cut that crazy hairdo, yeah that would be worth DOH for me not.

 

[ussnark]

How do you folks continue to overlook that your merger committee, via it's attorney, was warned by the arbitrator that it's position was untenable and they made a conscious decision not to heed the warning and continue on their regretable path?

Uh, my dear. Both parties were told that. Get your facts straight, please.

 

[Ramp Rogue]

It seems to me that if you spent as much energy trying to fix the problem as you do sniping at each other, you just might stumble on a way to work this out.....I have asked repeatedly if anyone has ideas on how this can be remedied, and all I hear back is continued sniping and bickering.

As I am totally for DOH, I have been studying different scenarios for years. What I suggest is the following format:

1. Every active Pilot will be placed on an active seniority
list by DOH.

2. If you are a Captain: East, West, International,
Domestic, it doesn't matter. You stay a Captain on the
Aircraft you are flying, by DOH.

3. If you are a First Officer: East, West, International,
Domestic, it doesn't matter. You stay a First Officer
on the Aircraft you are flying, by DOH.

4. Every furloughed Captain will be placed on a furloughed
Captain seniority list by DOH. As Captain's positions
become available, Active, Furloughed, East, West,
International, Domestic, it doesn't matter. The Captain
with the most seniority by (DOH) is awarded the
position.

5. Every furloughed First Officer will be placed on a
furloughed First Officer seniority list by DOH. As
First Officer positions become available, Active,
Furloughed, East, West, International, Domestic, it
doesn't matter. The First Officer with the most
seniority by (DOH) is awarded the position.

6. If no Captain accepts the position, then it goes to the
First Officer with the most seniority by DOH.

I know there will be some that find flaws in this scenario, but I think it is the fairest way to integrate the two Pilot Groups. I hope I answered your question Art at Isp. For the rest of you, you can now let the daggers fly!

 

[ussnark]

Which adult experience and logic is that?? Going to a town hall meeting in CLT and begging Parker to bring you up to AWA rates. Yeah that attempted end run was adult experienced logic. Answer no contract no money. Can't wait for the next Adult experienced logical move from the east peanut gallery of C41.

Maybe Rowe will threaten to cut that crazy hairdo, yeah that would be worth DOH for me not.

Should the list be imposed, the best thing that could happen would be for the FOs to infiltrate. I can see it already, the capt calls for the gear, the Fo finds something else to do and the capt causes turbulence in their attempt to raise gear while flying. The FO then makes a PA to that effect and writes up the A/C for severe turbulence. Should be real fun.

You will not win. Good luck at your next job.

Oh, walk arounds should take some 20 to 40 minutes. Be certain to question every single issue. Don't forget how crappy the ramps are, they should be clean for push-back. Copy in a local newspaper as well as FAA office, too. Be certain to mention the "captains" name, noting how little experience they have.

Ugly? You and your warped misanthropes have not seen anything yet........

Having FAs call your wife, late at night.......calling your kids and telling them how their daddy is having a "great" time. Should be fun.......

 

[AWA320]

No reason to throw daggers but it is totally flawed. This is called leap frogging. If you have active workers who are bypassed by non active workers the active are essentialy stuck in the mud. This is why people are furloughed in reverse seniority order.

This merger was between two non like carriers. By that I mean that you have one which is very old and one who is new. DOH by all accounts in this case would staple over 2/3 of all AWA pilots to the bottom of a combined list. So one day I wake up and I am a captain with the newer carrier then next day we merger with an older carrier with people furloughed. In your scenario I go from the left seat to the right seat to the street and all because we merged...

Ratio was and is the only fair way to merge two groups of such different age backgrounds.