Small detail. Dave actually HAD a job. Those below him on the Nic. were Wal-Mart Greeters or commutter pilots...don't know which is worse. Many US Air furloughees went to work for AWA. Crazy I know...Forgetting US Air and getting on with life and all.
Dear Metro,
Or flying 757s/MD-11s overseas, sir. You totally mischaracterize what our 2002-2005 furloughees were doing when the merger was announced. I am not sure what kind of message you were trying to relate, but it seems that every time an east pilot posts, one of you comes out with an East bashing reply. No matter how polite or non-controversial I've tried to be, it's the same rudeness. Why? As I said before, how NIC/DOH turns out isn't going to effect me too much over my career, if and when I ever get recalled. I'm not working at Wal-Mart, or a commuter. It's overseas flying again, but its heavy metal. In a way I lucked out getting furloughed early. It's getting really dry out there now.
Speaking of "Dave," it was your MEC that originated the "Save Dave" campaign back in 2005. Our MEC jumped on board. Two of your Reps voted against the TA when Dave couldn't be saved with a non-furlough clause. You then recalled both of them. So if anyone was against the "Save-Dave" campaign when it really mattered, it was your own FO Reps, who all voted for the TA.
I got bashed as being naive for listening to our furlough committee. The FC has never put out anything but the facts. They helped me get one well-paying job, which led to another good one. They're not political. As with all USAPA committees that I've dealt with while on furlough, I get quick, accurate responses from volunteers who really are trying to improve service, much better than I ever saw with ALPA.
One last thing, where we'd be right now with the Kirby contract. Instead of TA limit of 302 aircraft, we'd have 250, per Kirby. Right now, pending the outcome of the Addington DFR, I doubt if the company would have signed a new contract unless it had the NIC in it. Aircraft reductions alone generate over 800 furloughs. Add to that another 150 due to Kirby's 99-hour months and 70 less needed with the four years to full vacation parity. Who knows how many PBS would cost. That's a total of over 1,000 furloughs, plus seat and equipment losses, falling mainly on East pilots with a NIC list. That pretty much sums up why East pilots aren't too keen on signing a contract that costs most active pilots money and puts more on the streets. Before you start accusing the NAC of stalling, keep in mind it's the company that only wants to meet once a month under NMB mediation.
Sincerely,
Dogandsuds
