skydiverdriver
Senior Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 869
Now that things are a bit different, and I've had the chance to hear a lot of people's opinions on our recent strike, I think I will let some of you know about some of the things that happened. I know this will make some of you angry, but I would just ask you to not take it personally, as your airline's MEC or management may be to blame, and not individual pilots.
Comair had a chance to change the industry. We had the most unified, and dedicated pilot group in the world on one side, and a very ruthless and intellegent group of managers on the other. We probably would never have had to strike if Delta had not purchased Comair, but by the time that happend we were almost three years past our amendable date, and it was way to far along to stop.
We also had a lot of support. We received letters and checks from pilots around the world, as well as other interested parties like Sporty's Pilot Shop, and many others. For this we are grateful. Delta set up phone banks and made sure they didn't fly any of our struck work. We thank them for their efforts. However, many feel it was the least they could do. Ideally, we were part of Delta, and they should have been on strike too. I know, as soon as I said that you Delta pilots thought, "well, no Delta pilot should have to lose his job for a Comair pilot." And, I would agree. I don't want any pilot to lose his job. But at least they could have had a write up campaign, or a weekend sick out, or something more than just not flying "struck work." Many people also feel that every flight Delta flew was struck work. We asked for Delta MEC's help when we proposed the Policy Implimentation Date on ALPA's merger and fragmentation policy. Now, that is another subject, but if we were Continental, then they would have merged us and been on strike with us. Again, we do appreciate the help, but walking the picket line when you have a good paying job is quite a bit different from walking one while making strike pay that could be taken away.
Also, the ASA pilots were asked to do informational picketing. I heard people on this board complaining, why should we do this on our day off? Well, the reason you have a day off is that you have a job. I even had friends at ASA tell me they had a "no lose situation." If Comair did well and got a good deal, they would too. If Comair went away, they would get their routes. Do you realize what you are saying? I'm not sure that they do. We had a once in a lifetime chance here, and you had an opportunity to help out. And, many did, with money and other support, but again, it wasn't quite enough, was it? Now if ASA decides to have a work action, Comair pilots will not be able to help, since we have a no-strike clause in our contract. We will only be able to send money, just like they did. We can't even do the informational picketing that the ASA guys were complaining about. It was to help yourselves, guys.
I keep hearing people say that the regionals should work harder to raise their standards of living, and make them less likely to take away mainline jobs. I agree with that, but honestly, what more could we have done? I sat at home for three months this summer. Has a Delta pilot ever had to do that? Again, dont' take this personally, as I'm glad you have never had to strike. However, you must also understand that you won't know what it is like to strike until you have walked a mile in my shoes.
Again, we all appreciate the help that we received. I know that you are thinking it would have been illegal for ASA or Delta to do any more than they did. Well, Comair pilots were given an injuncture (sp?) for their alleged illegal writeup campaign. So, again I say, what more could we have done?
Comair had a chance to change the industry. We had the most unified, and dedicated pilot group in the world on one side, and a very ruthless and intellegent group of managers on the other. We probably would never have had to strike if Delta had not purchased Comair, but by the time that happend we were almost three years past our amendable date, and it was way to far along to stop.
We also had a lot of support. We received letters and checks from pilots around the world, as well as other interested parties like Sporty's Pilot Shop, and many others. For this we are grateful. Delta set up phone banks and made sure they didn't fly any of our struck work. We thank them for their efforts. However, many feel it was the least they could do. Ideally, we were part of Delta, and they should have been on strike too. I know, as soon as I said that you Delta pilots thought, "well, no Delta pilot should have to lose his job for a Comair pilot." And, I would agree. I don't want any pilot to lose his job. But at least they could have had a write up campaign, or a weekend sick out, or something more than just not flying "struck work." Many people also feel that every flight Delta flew was struck work. We asked for Delta MEC's help when we proposed the Policy Implimentation Date on ALPA's merger and fragmentation policy. Now, that is another subject, but if we were Continental, then they would have merged us and been on strike with us. Again, we do appreciate the help, but walking the picket line when you have a good paying job is quite a bit different from walking one while making strike pay that could be taken away.
Also, the ASA pilots were asked to do informational picketing. I heard people on this board complaining, why should we do this on our day off? Well, the reason you have a day off is that you have a job. I even had friends at ASA tell me they had a "no lose situation." If Comair did well and got a good deal, they would too. If Comair went away, they would get their routes. Do you realize what you are saying? I'm not sure that they do. We had a once in a lifetime chance here, and you had an opportunity to help out. And, many did, with money and other support, but again, it wasn't quite enough, was it? Now if ASA decides to have a work action, Comair pilots will not be able to help, since we have a no-strike clause in our contract. We will only be able to send money, just like they did. We can't even do the informational picketing that the ASA guys were complaining about. It was to help yourselves, guys.
I keep hearing people say that the regionals should work harder to raise their standards of living, and make them less likely to take away mainline jobs. I agree with that, but honestly, what more could we have done? I sat at home for three months this summer. Has a Delta pilot ever had to do that? Again, dont' take this personally, as I'm glad you have never had to strike. However, you must also understand that you won't know what it is like to strike until you have walked a mile in my shoes.
Again, we all appreciate the help that we received. I know that you are thinking it would have been illegal for ASA or Delta to do any more than they did. Well, Comair pilots were given an injuncture (sp?) for their alleged illegal writeup campaign. So, again I say, what more could we have done?