Please explain your thoughts on number 3. Dont they already have different pay rates on these AC? How would any of this lower training costs?
I suspect that Kirby wants pretty much what HP has now - a single pay rate (or actually one for Capt and one for F/O.
You're right. East currently has 4 pay rates - A330, group 1 (767/757), group 2 (A320 series and 737), and E190. You could even say that there are 5 if you call the extra pay the TA pilots get a separate scale.
You're also right to question how it would lower training costs. Kirby's MS Excel spreadsheet probably says that West's training cost is lower than East. However, with only one pilot base (PHX) with relatively stable flying year round and a relatively young pilot group (compared to East), the training cost is guaranteed to be less than East. It's purely coincidental that HP only has one pay scale.
The big factors driving training cost on the East side are the reverse of the factors that make it lower on the West side. Relatively large shifts in TA flying causes training throughout the seniority list twice a year. Greater attrition from an older pilot group also causes training events throughout the seniority list, and with almost all pilots at the TOS each training event costs the maximum. Multiple bases result in pilots who were displaced to or bid other bases for better base seniority bidding back when they can or will have better seniority, often on different equipment resulting in training.
In other words, about 90% of East training cost would still be incurred with a single pay scale because it's caused by factors other than pay. Of the remaining 10%, a single pay scale might eliminate half. Having "only" 3 pay scales instead of 4 is basically meaningless.
It's easy to tell how serious Kirby is. Just tell him that ALPA will agree to 3 pay scales in exchange for eliminating the training freeze. After all, the purpose of the freeze is to reduce training cost. If less pay scales will accomplish that goal, the freezes aren't needed.
Jim
