I think the west brought 147 a/c to the deal. We are now at 120 and forecast to be back to 124 shortly with delieveries and one 737 coming back. The 27+/- a/c that are gone represent the 8000 hours per month of flying that transitions through PHX and LAS that has been transferred to east a/c.
One thing that seems to be largely misunderstood by the east folks is the level of stagnation that has occured out here. Since the deal was announced, there have been no upgrades, 140 downgrades, at least 200 retirements/deaths/medicals, etc and 175 +/- furloughs/LOA's. We are down from our peak of around 1900 pilots to around 1500. We are going on five years of complete stagnation/backsliding. 10% of our pilots are furloughed. All of this while watching the east recall 800+/- pilots, upgrade hundreds of captains and steal our flying because they do it cheaper.
Yes, we want the Nic in place and we want it now. It's coming, and it's coming soon. The gains from this merger have so far been 100% to the east, and it's time to share.
I am going to stick it out there and predict the 9th is going to have some interesting findings re Judge Wake, and the power he thinks he has to interfere/dictate union issues. Say what you want. I am sure Wake is a smart man, but is he really that well versed in union issues? I think not. I don't expect him to be. I do expect him to familiarize himself in areas of his jurisdiction, and that he failed to do.The part that drives this home is when he tried to impose Nic in it. This is the defining moment, where he showed his cards, and those cards said he was now, out of his knowledge and power. He revealed his weakness at the same time he thought he was displaying his power. And this is where anybody with any knowledge of the RLA aims his arrows.He cannot interfere in internal union issues, and that is where the 9th is going to hit him. No matter which side you are on, you have to really review the Baptiste and Wilder blog on this. They are spot on. A memo does not mean harm to anyone except a judge with a hard on for USAPA, and a jury that was prevented from hearing both sides.A judge that surely knows some former AWA pilots, or has spoken to a relative of one. I would expect this seeing where he lives.The fact he is a Bush appointee is also very telling. And this is going to draw some return fire also. Fire away...A Bush appointee is NOT going to lend an ear to a union argument, no matter what you say. He wouldn't have been appointed had he shown any leanings towards organized labor in the first place. To allow his personal opinions in his judgement and handling of the trial, absolutely unethical. I hope the 9th takes the time to analyze what this judge has done, and how , if they uphold Wake, this will remake the legal landscape with regard to unions,lawsuits, and "harm" being realized before it actually is real harm. You don't get harm unless the act happens. A memo is not harm. You maybe able to cry harm after a final proposal from USAPA is made for vote, but this one is premature. Yes, you are going to hammer me if I am wrong, but I am going to say that this judge is going to be pulled up by his leash very shortly. If this ruling goes forward, the 9th has to realize the floodgates will open with massive lawsuits from all sorts of unions, with regards to ripeness. They will obviously see it, and not allow it to go forward. It would be plowing new legal ground, and they are not going to go there. There will be thousands of suits. They know it. I can say I am going to rob a bank- until I do there is no crime.
You certainly want it, but remember- how are you going to make it happen? Remember, if you lose this one, and I say we take it on the appeal, but if you lose this, it is going to cost you even more money. Money you don't have to pay even the first round. If you have to appeal, you are going to face the fact we are going to grind you down monetarily. And if we win LOA 93, or even a part of it- say 18% and the 3% going forward- then you are done. If you win it? Then we appeal it, and it goes to the 18 judges next. All this takes a lot of money. So far, we are raising the cash no problem. The stakes are just too high not to, and we have the numbers to make it happen. Good luck.
