United pilots merger thoughts

[informed]

Please note that one of the United pilot "neutrals" for the USAirways, AWA arbitration, Steve Gillen, who is now on the merger committee for United, thought that furloughed pilots and those on the lower part of a pilot seniority list, bring nothing and deserve to be put on the bottom. The Continental pilot, James P. Brucia who was another pilot "neutral" on the USAirways, AWA arbitration panel and is now on the Continental pilots merger committee, thinks that that furloughed and lower hanging fruit type pilots on a pilot seniority list, deserve longevity placement.

This ought to be a very interesting pilot merger.

The unofficial United Pilots website

 

[MUTATIS MUTANDIS]

This ought to be a very interesting pilot merger.
ALPA YOU GO!

 

[BoeingBoy]

The Continental pilot, James P. Brucia who was another pilot "neutral" on the USAirways, AWA arbitration panel and is now on the Continental pilots merger committee, thinks that that furloughed and lower hanging fruit type pilots on a pilot seniority list, deserve longevity placement.

The problem with trying to do that is that it could rearrange either groups pre-merger list - pilot A that was below pilot B pre-merger could end up being above pilot B post-merger depending on how it was done. On the other hand, if both groups have furloughed pilots then integrating those pilots by longevity is a good a way of doing it as just using the ratio of furloughed pilots on the two sides.

Jim

 

[767jetz]

ALPA has already set the tone in order to establish reasonable expectations. Furloughs are historically (but not always) placed behind active pilots. Additionally, bringing CO up to UA's work rules today would create about 900+ pilot positions. That number could be higher since we expect better work rules with the JCBA. So going in, right from the start the furloughees get a huge benefit of coming back almost immediately, to a higher paying contract, rather than years down the road absent the merger, waiting for attrition and stagnant growth.

There is always a silver lining if you look past the surface chatter. Plus, every pilot I've spoken with on both sides to this day, with the exception of one UA captain that I know, has said that regardless of what they wish for, it is in the hands of the merger committee, and once it is settled we move.