AUG/SEPT 2012 US Pilots Labor Discussion

[A320 Driver]

SOMEONE THAT GETS IT!!!!..........Dear Neg Comm:

Thanks very much for sending the video .

There is no FAA or FOM rule that says you guys can't smile on a video in the future. Relax a bit more. Why so stiff ?

PAY RATES:

At the new American Airlines we must be the highest paid pilots in America, with the best contract. No more discussions. Our starting point is we will be the best paid in the county.

We know from the past parker will put this deal together with American (either merger or they buy us) and drag it out. He will attempt to run it as long as possible with 3 contracts 3 lists and 3 operations.

Yes this is very cumbersome, but the FAA does not seem to care and he saves millions by dragging this out like our non-merge with AWA.

Just last week we flew 2 AWA pilots from PHL to TPA just so they could ferry a West aircraft up to CLT for maintenance, stupid, but it must be saving parker to run like this.

So we have to tell him up front that whatever pay rates we are going to insist on ( not what the term sheet or green book says) that what we are seeking will increase 1% every 90 days there is not a combined airline with one contract and list.

This means if the airline has one operating certificate and we all have American uniforms , but it is run apart, that every 90 days the minimum pay rate goes up.

Our pay should be above the average of DAL/UAL/Jet Blue and SWA ON THE DAY OF THE NEW AIRLINE, forget about 3 years to parity.

The only thing we should accept is the highest pay rates of all pilots in America, why not be the best paid in the country.

We saved this company by LOA 93, parker would not have a job and there would be no US AIR without LOA 93, we were idiots to sign off on that without a firm snap back date, don't do the same thing again.

NO FURLOUGH:

This means from any airline, don't let him agree to no furlough from US AIR and then he will turn around and furlough a AWA or AA pilot, no furlough applies to all 3 pilot groups.

For current furloughs at AWA and AA with every 3 guys who retire the company must call one furloughed pilot back. No choice in the matter. Part of our contract. Also with guys on furlough any pilot can take any amount of leave at any time. Also with guys on furlough any pilot can drop any trip or down to any lower amount of flying hours for the month without any approval from the company . If the new American has guys on furlough ( either from AWA or AA) then they have too many pilots and we should have no restriction about reducing out hours until every furloughed pilot is called back.

If there is a war or major world event and the company must furlough or go out of business and the airline is not put together yet, then the furlough will come from all 3 sides on a pro rated basis. For example 13 from AA / 8 from US AIR and 2 from AWA.

With the guys finally retiring furlough should not be an issue. As long as it is in the contract that for every 3 that retire they must recall one furloughed pilot.AA still has 1,400 pilots on furlough.

Furlough pay is ONE YEAR for all pilots regardless if they have been here 1 minute or 5 years, min furlough pay is one year .

TALKING TO APA:

The highest priority of your time should be weekly meetings with APA, help them fight horton and get to know them so we are united when we are one airline.

This is the last contract for 20% of US AIR pilots. This is the biggest pilot hiring boom coming in the past 30 years. Don't sign away all of the years of effort we have put into this company , insist on only the best contract in the US.

If parker is so sure he can run a good operation and make money, he can afford for us to be the highest paid pilots in the country.

During the time Stephen Wolf was the CEO we were the highest paid in the country and during that same year the airline made a profit of $1.6 billion.

SWA is now the highest paid passenger airline and they for the past 30 years have made more profits than any other airline.

BIDDING INTO AA BASES:

Speaking for the 250 US AIR and AWA pilots who live on the West coast we want no restrictions or fences on bidding into an American base. No delay. First of all there must be a vacancy and of course you must have the horsepower to even get into the base.

But we are sick of this commute and with PHX downsizing by over 50% after the merger with American all of the PHX pilots will probably want to come to LAX too.

So from the start we must insist and not sign anything that has any fences or restrictions on getting into a AA base, this applies to them too. They can enter any US AIR base once this is put together with no delay or restriction.

We owe this especially to our PHX pilots because it is obvious that PHX is too close to LAX or DFW and parker will never keep it as a hub. It will become another PIT.

After seeing 9 mergers at US AIR , this is out 10th; we all know that pilots will not move. US AIR has closed 26 bases since the airline started. So the AWA pilots will continue to live in PHX and will be forced to commute to DFW or LAX, some may go to ORD, but the majority will want to get into LAX.

POSITIVE SPACE:

United had this for years and now we must have it . If you are forced out of a base the company must give you positive space for 3 years . This is another thing we must have.

At lest 50% , maybe more of the AWA pilots will be forced out of PHX; which is the right of American to do, but if they want to do this they MUST give us positive space for 3 years so guys can get to work in their new base. They caused the problem, why should
all the PHX pilots fight for the jump seat trying to get to work ?

SHOT GUN TO THE HEAD:

Guys understand that parker want this 1,000 times more than we do. He wants to be the CEO of the largest airline in the world. There is very soon going to be the biggest pilot hiring boom in the past 30 years. The airlines will be fighting to hire pilots from a very small pool.We have the strongest change in control clause of any airline in the county .

Because of these 3 factors WE MUST not give anything on this contract coming up.

We hold all the cards . When you have a shot gun pointed at the head of someone they really do pay attention to what you say.

WE ARE IN THIS POSITION NOW if you will only realize and understand this.

We have 100 times more power than you realize, PLEASE USE IT.

Thanks for your service

You mean someone who can't understand the truth like some other weak minded idiots.
One more time, OK???
1. APA has already agreed to the term sheet.
2. They outnumber us almost 2 to 1.
3. The BPR gave up our seat at the table with their little stunt regarding the MOU.
4. Live with it.

Driver...

 

[MUTATIS MUTANDIS]

I speak "southern" fine, but don't know dumbass...

Jim

Look in the mirror, it's been in front of you all your life!

 

[Walmartgreeter]

"Someone" said (and it reads like classic McKee/Cleary retoric):

"SHOT GUN TO THE HEAD:

Guys understand that parker want this 1,000 times more than we do. He wants to be the CEO of the largest airline in the world. There is very soon going to be the biggest pilot hiring boom in the past 30 years. The airlines will be fighting to hire pilots from a very small pool.We have the strongest change in control clause of any airline in the county .

Because of these 3 factors WE MUST not give anything on this contract coming up.

We hold all the cards . When you have a shot gun pointed at the head of someone they really do pay attention to what you say.

WE ARE IN THIS POSITION NOW if you will only realize and understand this.

We have 100 times more power than you realize, PLEASE USE IT."

Folks, above is the exact mindset of the Charlotte Reps and their new best friends, the Compass Correction guys. The amount of unseen "power and influence" USAPA supposedly holds is mind boggling...Really? You have to be kidding me. In fact, we could actually help out the AA guys, except the CLT reps blew our wad in the summer of 2011. Nice work guys, you could not properly use even the least leverage you had without overreaching. The risk this pilot group is taking does not justify the ends, even with a complete capitulation by the Company, and we all know the chances that will EVER happen. Greeter

 

[cleardirect]

Thanks, but I'll have to pass on such a splendid fashion statement myself....having long ago exceeded 13 years of age......."bling" on anything even approaching a uniform never much struck me as seemly....

Does your opinion of "bling" also extend to that pretty little yellow lanyard that you east guys wore that said "Safety First/ I'm on board"? Did you happen to wear one of those fashion statements?

That thing certainly cost you and this whole pilot group a lot. Imagine if usapa had not blown it's wad early for no reason the pressure we could have applied now during this merger. Look at APA today. Do you think they have the attention of Parker? With an injunction Parker has no reason to even consider the LCC pilots.

 

[Ames]

Apparently your CEO has a different opinion AMES. Who should we believe? The CEO, or the line pilot with Nicolau on his mind.......

I was at the dinner where Parker said that without the merger AWA might see bankruptcy down the road. I personally confronted him and asked how he could say that after three successive profitable quarters and told him it was a big mistake placating the east with his message.

I have said many times that I don't believe AWA would have seen bk. Shortly after that the Delta merge attempt failed. Without the anchor of eastholes that merge would more than likely have passed.

Regardless, without this "merger" the east would most certainly have gone away and AWA would have survived in an industry strengthened by the demise of US Airways. Lots of room there for growth.

Spew all you want, claxhole. We're in court today and this all very well may be over.

 

[Ames]

The management team now = "...fine men and women..."? Umm....ok then...I think we're done here.....

Are we? Will I see you in court today?

 

[EastUS1]

Does your opinion of "bling" also extend to that pretty little yellow lanyard that you east guys wore that said "Safety First/ I'm on board"?

It does. I don't find it acceptable to alter standards just to be fashionable at any point. Speaking of points...do you even pretend to have one here? 😉

 

[Claxon]

I was at the dinner where Parker said that without the merger AWA might see bankruptcy down the road. I personally confronted him and asked how he could say that after three successive profitable quarters and told him it was a big mistake placating the east with his message.

I have said many times that I don't believe AWA would have seen bk. Shortly after that the Delta merge attempt failed. Without the anchor of eastholes that merge would more than likely have passed.

Regardless, without this "merger" the east would most certainly have gone away and AWA would have survived in an industry strengthened by the demise of US Airways. Lots of room there for growth.

Spew all you want, claxhole. We're in court today and this all very well may be over.

USAirways survived, and thrived. AWA is merely an adjunct that adds marginal revenue. AMR will cast aside PHX if a deal. Then the true structure that actually carries the airline will be visible. CLT, PHL, DCA.
I am sure Parker was taking notes diligently during your conversation, and we don't care for your opinion. Parker said what he said. And what he said differs from what you say. Your career was not thriving. It was about to swim in the pool of bankruptcy. For the second time. Parker has made that entirely clear.
Call Johnny Mac. Ask him about risk assessment. That risk, is becoming reality.

 

[EastUS1]

Are we? Will I see you in court today?

Hardly. Just driving by courtrooms always leaves a momentary sense of inhaling sulfer and brimstone...and of course, there's the resultant requirement for hosing off the slime coating from the car. Some people revel in such enviorns though, which I've always found amazing.

 

[Ames]

Hardly. Just driving by courtrooms always leaves a momentary sense of inhaling sulfer and brimstone...and of course, there's the resultant requirement for hosing off the slime coating from the car. Some people revel in such enviorns though, which I've always found amazing.

So, at least you admit that we're not done here.

 

[EastUS1]

Call Johnny Mac. Ask him about risk assessment. That risk, is becoming reality.

That's indeed been reality since 2007....and no thanks for his "wisdom", as I wouldn't wipe shoe soles off on that smarmy and utterly pathetic little pimple...out of respect for the shoes. The pitiful behavior of that little punk directly puts forth a vision of a dancing hyena = "Hey Daddy Doug!...I think I saw an east plane with the apu and both engines running!..Can I turn 'em in?...Huh?...Can I, Can I?"..."Umm...and you promised me a brand new pair of knee pads for my birthday!..and I still haven't gotten them...so...pretty please Daddy?" 😉

 

[EastUS1]

So, at least you admit that we're not done here.

Where/when did I ever indicate I thought otherwise...? The legal system is essentially just another business, and no less political, self promoting and conniving in nature than any other...quite the opposite in fact. Differing from other businesses in that it makes it's money, maintains it's self, and keeps it's "own" little minions employed NOT by quickly delivering up it's product. You want efficient service? = Head for the nearest fast food drive through. 😉

 

[EastUS1]

The amount of unseen "power and influence" USAPA supposedly holds is mind boggling...Really? You have to be kidding me.

I'm a bit dubious as to the pilot group having an unduly great deal of influence here, but one way to ensure that it has none whatsoever would be to toss coc and scope out the window....just sayin'....

 

[Move2CLT]

Can one of you east idiots pass this along to Crash Ax?


Your PHX base representatives have had some difficulty getting the following update out. USAPA & USAPA legal have been so busy with the NAC road shows, communication, and of course preparing for todays court appearance that USAPA Comm couldn't get this out in a timely manor (not to mention possible text changes). We offer this unabridged edition:

We would like to offer a recap for those pilots that did not make the USAPA Phoenix Domicile meeting on the September 25th.

The meeting came to order around 0915 local time and adjourned at 1600. Present were the Phoenix Chairman, both Vice Chairmen, the USAPA President, the entire Negotiating Advisory Committee (along with the NAC Professional Negotiator, Roland Wilder), the Grievance Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman, as well as the USAPA Communication Committee Chairman. This, in addition to at least twenty Phoenix-based pilots.

After a brief introduction by your Phoenix representatives, the NAC gave a PowerPoint presentation which covered details of the-proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between US Airways and. Click here for a copy of this presentation. In addition, a “Q & A” handout was provided, a digital copy of which can be found here. Please download and review both of these helpful documents. No matter how you feel about the MOU, we believe you will find these documents instructive and we would like to thank and commend the NAC for creating these documents for the education of the membership.

Several important facts were brought up during the ensuing discussions:

* It was reinforced that the MOU is NOT a Contract and should not be thought of as such. The MOU is simply a vehicle designed to reach a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement.

* The MOU is STILL available for vote, but it is currently TABLED (NOT “Off the Table&rdquo😉 as far as US Airways is concerned. Due to its “Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with American, US Airways management is currently unable to discuss the merits of the MOU, provide clarification, or negotiate additional provisions at the present time. Therefore, if USAPA were to conduct a vote on the MOU before the NDA expires, it would have to be considered an “as is” document.

* The much-touted “Change of Control” (COC) provision (if triggered) in the East contract would only result in an overall pay increase of 4% when compared with the rates included in the proposed MOU, but these rates would not include DAL/UAL pay-parity three years later. Furthermore, the COC clause would NOT include the additional 4% contribution to the Defined Contribution Retirement Account (which would total a non-elective 14% as part of the MOU).

* The three-year SHORT TERM DISABILITY “bridge” for West pilots begins on the date we transition to APA’s LTD plan, (which would be several months or as long as the next open enrollment effective date following the Plan of Reorganization (POR) date. This singular issue has caused much consternation amongst West pilots, and we must point out how the NAC, (particularly your West Members of the NAC) have done everything they could to preserve this part of Contract 2004. It is important to remember that this is a WEST ISSUE only, as neither the East pilots, nor the AA pilots have a Short-term disability program- they already have basically the same plan an accrual of Sick Time up to 1000 hours that is used get to LTD (Long Term Disability). It is also important to remember that the former West Pilots are a minority within the minority. Without the MOU, the STD would most likely change outright on the effective date of the JCBA, (and without WEST Pilots at the Negotiating Table), so it seems unlikely that this will be a pivotal item and could go overlooked.

* Our Furloughed West Pilots who have not returned to work (even as EAST new hires). When presented with the MOU for consideration in August and WITH scheduled meetings the following week in DFW with US Airways, your Phoenix Representatives voiced outrage that our 40 Pilots would not be covered by the FURLOUGH protections of the MOU, while pilots substantially junior to them would be covered. The plight of the West furloughees illustrates again that the West is truly a minority whose interests are easily overlooked, by both USAPA and US Airways. The Transition Agreement is very clear in that a recall to the opposite coast (whether it is an East furloughee going West or vice versa) is NOT a recall. Speaking frankly, the West furloughees represent the “bodies buried in the desert” in the sense that they should not be furloughed in the first place except for a lot of deliberate actions by certain parties who ironically are not well served by bringing up the past, yet are doing exactly that by not acknowledging the plight of the West furloughees.
*
The MOU allows for several protections regarding furlough and pay. Please download and review the “ATTRITION/Hull Loss” slidehere. Please note that allowing for the WORST CASE SCENARIO under the conditions agreed upon in the TERM SHEET and MOU, when comparing this to the KNOWN and COMBINED Attrition it becomes evident that the FURLOUGH/PAY POSITIONS are a little if no cost item to the Company. The WORST case is stagnation, only if the company LOSES all the Aircraft allowed under the agreement.

The NAC and our Professional Negotiator suggest a YES vote for the MOU.

It is the pledge of your Phoenix Representatives to do everything we can to bring about a handful of positive changes to the document and have it put to the membership for a ratification vote so that YOU can decide what is in your own best interests.

On another note, Oct 2nd is the date of an important hearing before the Honorable Judge Silver hearing regarding our longstanding seniority dispute with the former US Airways pilots. No matter any outcome of that hearing, (or lack of an outcome), we ask that all pilots continue to maintain their professional demeanor. No doubt these are trying times, so please continue to behave in the professional and courteous manner that you are known for.

John, Roger & Dave

 

[Move2CLT]

I speak "southern" fine, but don't know dumbass...

Jim

Short and to the point.

I like it.