Well, you folks back East seem to feel that USAPA is a done deal. We may find out soon but so what! Do you really think that the vast majority of AAA pilots will vote down a TA that gives them improved pay AND work rules? When not one pilot has lost any seniority or has been bumped out of position since the merger was completed?
I agree. Now that there is actually movement in the process, and an opportunity for the East pilots to get not only pay parity but a raise above parity, plus a "bonus" of a retroactive check (of about 4 months), I think a majority (not all, and certainly not the vocal few on this site) of East pilots will decide to sit tight and see what happens. They could always look at the TA, vote it down, and then pull the trigger on USAPA. But most will want to see what materializes from the JNC and have an actual vote, (something their MEC rarely gives them). But if they like what they read, they will have much more money, better schedules, better retirement, and career protection by January, rather than waiting out the slow growth under LOA 93.
I predict that the 300-400 East pilots who may see a captain upgrade in the next year will vote against any TA, but the rest will see this exactly as you say... No bump from their pre-merger position, and very large income and quality of life improvement for their families.
Now I fully expect the spin from a few here to continue through December with their FUD campaign because they can't get beyond the fact that the award still stands after all their futile efforts, and they will hold their DOH/LOS AT ALL COST position until the day they retire. They are the same malcontents who are always bitter when things don't go exactly the way they want. They will continue to come here and talk about how the EC's decision is actually good for their cause, the USAPA will save them, and threaten the West that it is their last chance to compromise (ie: capitulate to their demands) before having things imopsed on them, and blah, blah, blah. There is nothing anyone will ever be able to do to please them. So the West should not even try. The JNC should focus on getting the greatest benefit for the largest number of East & West pilots. In fact it is so tiring to hear their same old "spiel" like a broken record, it isn't even worth responding to anymore.
Stay focused on the JNC and see how much Parker is willing to pay to get his airline back together. In fact, those in the East who choose to use sick leave and three engine taxis and other methods to slow down the operation only increase Parker's motivation to sweeten the pot. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. Good luck to all!
