August 2013 Pilot Discussion

[Reed Richards]

The US Airways pilots, ESPECIALLY the East pilots, have the most to gain, of any employee group, from this merger being completed. Huge pay raises and contract improvements for the East pilots, and substantial raises for the West pilots as well. Most of the other unions representing AA employees and US employees have come out with very positive statements in support of this merger. The Allied Pilots Association (APA) put out a timely and articulate, well-thought out press release with unwavering support for this merger. Where is the same sort of response from USAPA? They should be all over this, to try to garner support for the merger. Not that USAPA has much credibility anyway, but they could at least try to represent ALL of us in a positive way to help make this merger happen. This is critically important to our careers and our families' well-being!

Your post is similar to what I heard on the line for the last 5 days. "We NEED this merger to happen and should be proactive." Having been left out of the term sheet process, one concocted by APA and Parker to destroy us, I think we have done quite enough. In fact, my personal participation in anything promoting Parker (having stabbed us in the back on ripeness, the 3% raises, vacation, and the LDT 401k issue) should come at a price. The thought of a "cute" sticker or lanyard in support of a CEO that chose to air his contempt for both the traveling public AND his own employees via email is repulsive to me. Count me out, especially since this deal is dead. Time to move on. RR

 

[Claxon]

The Allied Pilots Association (APA) put out a timely and articulate, well-thought out press release with unwavering support for this merger. Where is the same sort of response from USAPA?

How much equity will each APA pilot get if the merger goes through? They are a bankrupt airline but are getting raises and no staff cuts with dougs plan.

They are supporting doug because of their greed, not their hearts.

 

[Phoenix]

The US Airways pilots, ESPECIALLY the East pilots, have the most to gain, of any employee group, from this merger being completed. Huge pay raises and contract improvements for the East pilots, and substantial raises for the West pilots as well. Most of the other unions representing AA employees and US employees have come out with very positive statements in support of this merger. The Allied Pilots Association (APA) put out a timely and articulate, well-thought out press release with unwavering support for this merger. Where is the same sort of response from USAPA? They should be all over this, to try to garner support for the merger. Not that USAPA has much credibility anyway, but they could at least try to represent ALL of us in a positive way to help make this merger happen. This is critically important to our careers and our families' well-being!

The negotiating table regarding everyones future is still an ongoing concern, and there are now variables we (and perhaps to a lessor extent the companies) know nothing of yet.

I don't see how any public statement is helpful to union members since the DOJ probably doesn't give a flip what the unions think. The DOJ isn't contesting the unions. They are blocking the companies. We gave DUI an MOU; if he needs something beyond that he can negotiate (i.e. pay out the A$$ for it ).

 

[Claxon]

Your post is similar to what I heard on the line for the last 5 days. "We NEED this merger to happen and should be proactive." Having been left out of the term sheet process, one concocted by APA and Parker to destroy us, I think we have done quite enough. In fact, my personal participation in anything promoting Parker (having stabbed us in the back on ripeness, the 3% raises, vacation, and the LDT 401k issue) should come at a price. The thought of a "cute" sticker or lanyard in support of a CEO that chose to air his contempt for both the traveling public AND his own employees via email is repulsive to me. Count me out, especially since this deal is dead. Time to move on. RR

Great post. If the merger happens awa pilots think they are getting the nic and the amr pilots think they are getting the motherload, thus their unwavering support.

You can order copies of the CEO's response to your post in the following link.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/tom-horton-chief-financial-officer-of-american-airlines-news-photo/1163879

 

[prechilill]

Oh well, maybe my kids will take care of me!

They can pick up right where your dad left off!

 

[westcoastflyer]

Your post is similar to what I heard on the line for the last 5 days. "We NEED this merger to happen and should be proactive." Having been left out of the term sheet process, one concocted by APA and Parker to destroy us, I think we have done quite enough. In fact, my personal participation in anything promoting Parker (having stabbed us in the back on ripeness, the 3% raises, vacation, and the LDT 401k issue) should come at a price. The thought of a "cute" sticker or lanyard in support of a CEO that chose to air his contempt for both the traveling public AND his own employees via email is repulsive to me. Count me out, especially since this deal is dead. Time to move on. RR

This merger is HUGE for all for all of us, it's a life-changing POSITIVE event. It is time to put aside all of the negative emotions and hatred for management or our fellow pilots, for the time being at least, for the greater good of all of us and our families. Just the increased pay and DC contributions are substantial. As of 1-1-14, a West A320 Captain will receive almost a $40,000 per year pay raise, plus about $14,000 more in annual DC Plan contributions. An East A320 Captain will receive almost a $55,000 per year pay raise, plus about $16,000 more in annual DC Plan contributions. It makes no sense not to support his merger whole-heartedly. Is it worth losing $71,000 per year in total compensation, plus a better contract overall, just to spite the company?

 

[Phoenix]

This merger is HUGE for all for all of us, it's a life-changing POSITIVE event. It is time to put aside all of the negative emotions and hatred for management or our fellow pilots, for the time being at least, for the greater good of all of us and our families. Just the increased pay and DC contributions are substantial. As of 1-1-14, a West A320 Captain will receive almost a $40,000 per year pay raise, plus about $14,000 more in annual DC Plan contributions. An East A320 Captain will receive almost a $55,000 per year pay raise, plus about $16,000 more in annual DC Plan contributions. It makes no sense not to support his merger whole-heartedly. Is it worth losing $71,000 per year in total compensation, plus a better contract overall, just to spite the company?

Yeah, the employees stand to make a yacht load, which means the companies are gonna make a ship load, which means the passengers are gonna be stuck in rubber life boats. I think the DOJ is aware of our feelings about that already, and if they aren't they can project through all the uncertainties better than Judge Silver.

 

[Claxon]

This merger is HUGE for all for all of us, it's a life-changing POSITIVE event. It is time to put aside all of the negative emotions and hatred for management or our fellow pilots, for the time being at least, for the greater good of all of us and our families. Just the increased pay and DC contributions are substantial. As of 1-1-14, a West A320 Captain will receive almost a $40,000 per year pay raise, plus about $14,000 more in annual DC Plan contributions. An East A320 Captain will receive almost a $55,000 per year pay raise, plus about $16,000 more in annual DC Plan contributions. It makes no sense not to support his merger whole-heartedly. Is it worth losing $71,000 per year in total compensation, plus a better contract overall, just to spite the company?

 

[Claxon]

This merger is HUGE for all for all of us, it's a life-changing POSITIVE event. It is time to put aside all of the negative emotions and hatred for management or our fellow pilots, for the time being at least, for the greater good of all of us and our families. Just the increased pay and DC contributions are substantial. As of 1-1-14, a West A320 Captain will receive almost a $40,000 per year pay raise, plus about $14,000 more in annual DC Plan contributions. An East A320 Captain will receive almost a $55,000 per year pay raise, plus about $16,000 more in annual DC Plan contributions. It makes no sense not to support his merger whole-heartedly. Is it worth losing $71,000 per year in total compensation, plus a better contract overall, just to spite the company?

What are the AMR pilots getting in equity? What is the AMR pilots alternative?

You want the East to pay for it? Sharpen your pencil and lets see what you got.

 

[N924PS]

Although I know you to be anti USAPA and pro ALPA (understood, your view) I agree with you a little on a procedural basis going forward. I especially understand it is time to get paid. But that will not happen. There are quite a few branches in our decision tree ahead. None are good. And as of now, there is no escape by just getting friendly. I don't believe the merger will take place, so I will leave that to others, including Eric Holder and his team. Whatever Judge Silver does there will be appeals to the Ninth and SCOTUS. That tree could branch to both DFR issues AND representation issues, if she chooses to make the West a bargaining agent. And we still have to wait for the Ninth's decision on the DJ. I think that is a slam dunk win, but the Company will appeal to SCOTUS to drag it out. Basically, we are screwed. Better budget for LOA 93, and another 2-3 years of a "just slightly" better off pilot group in PHX telling us how bad we have it and how great their life is. The NMB will NOT let us back in the door until all this merger and seniority stuff is dead and buried. Hey, at least we have attrition, 3 crew bases, no NIC, and some INTL flying on WBs. I am not bragging, rather I am planning accordingly for the long haul to retirement. RR

Not so much pro ALPA. More like anti a union that was founded solely to overturn the Nicolau Award. Enough said in previous posts over the YEARS.

You can count on your attrition ( unless Age 65 becomes Age 67-experience and a pilot shortage come to mind) but we all know bases and airplanes can disappear in a heartbeat.

Best of luck. I hope your planning was adequate and then some.

 

[westcoastflyer]

Do any of you actually believe we will somehow get a deal anywhere near this lucrative from US Airways management if the merger doesn't go through? This isn't even about seniority, it's about receiving up to $71,000 more per year in compensation!

 

[N924PS]

Do any of you actually believe we will somehow get a deal anywhere near this lucrative from US Airways management if the merger doesn't go through? This isn't even about seniority, it's about receiving up to $71,000 more per year in compensation!

Nice picture. The last time there was real unity and a chance to negotiate a decent contract. Probably taken at least 7 years ago. .

 

[Claxon]

Do any of you actually believe we will somehow get a deal anywhere near this lucrative from US Airways management if the merger doesn't go through? This isn't even about seniority, it's about receiving up to $71,000 more per year in compensation!

How much is the amr pilot equity worth, per pilot, if this deal goes through?

The DOJ turned this down because of who?

 

[Phoenix]

Do any of you actually believe we will somehow get a deal anywhere near this lucrative from US Airways management if the merger doesn't go through? This isn't even about seniority, it's about receiving up to $71,000 more per year in compensation!

Ok. We want the merger to go through. We get that. We did vote for the MOU. The DOJ already knew about the MOU, if they care. What else is there to say about it?

It was't over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

 

[westcoastflyer]

How much is the amr pilot equity worth, per pilot, if this deal goes through?

The DOJ turned this down because of who?

You didn't answer my question. You're angry because the AMR pilots are getting some equity from their company? So what, good for them. It's what in this for US, the continually beleaguered pilot group.This merger still has a very good chance of being completed, with support from many constituencies. I cannot understand why you could possibly not want more than a 40% hike in compensation by January, 2014.