Some Thoughts About The Merger

[FlyChicaga]

I personally find this quote to be one which is inspriring. I think it is even more appropriate as we find ourselves in a situation where management across the industry hopes to destroy our profession and bring us to our knees. It is the quote I hold by me as we weather this storm. Something to think about... It was in the movie "The Kingdom" that came out last year:

"You know, Westmoreland made all of us officers write our own obituaries during Tet, when we thought The Cong were gonna end it all right there. And, once we clued into the fact that life is finite, the thought of losing it didn't scare us anymore. The end comes no matter what, the only thing that matters is how do you wanna go out, on your feet or on your knees? I bring that lesson to this job. I act, knowing that someday this job will end, no matter what. You should do the same." - FBI Director James Grace, "The Kingdom"

I wish us the best.

[Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by FlyChicaga

I personally find this quote to be one which is inspriring. I think it is even more appropriate as we find ourselves in a situation where management across the industry hopes to destroy our profession and bring us to our knees. It is the quote I hold by me as we weather this storm. Something to think about... It was in the movie "The Kingdom" that came out last year:

"You know, Westmoreland made all of us officers write our own obituaries during Tet, when we thought The Cong were gonna end it all right there. And, once we clued into the fact that life is finite, the thought of losing it didn't scare us anymore. The end comes no matter what, the only thing that matters is how do you wanna go out, on your feet or on your knees? I bring that lesson to this job. I act, knowing that someday this job will end, no matter what. You should do the same." - FBI Director James Grace, "The Kingdom"

I wish us the best.

I wish you the best as well

One thing to remember, we all sign on at each of our companies to work for our management team. We prosper or fail on the decisions they make. Sometimes great risk returns great reward, sometimes the risk results in failure. Your airline took an admirable risk and has a real chance at success if you can hold onto the bread and butter as you continue to work on the branded side. I heard a lot of folks over there put faith in management and I continue to hope to see it, and you, succeed. Somtimes the risk puts the whole operation in jeopardy, or at least makes it vulnerable.

One thing I have learned over here (at SkW) is that with the relationship we have between management and labor is that every new policy we ask for has to be shown to be of benefit for both groups (Mgmt and Labor). We know that we must allow our "golden goose" to continue to thrive in order to be competitive in the marketplace. I do not feel abused or taken advantage of here at my company, and I know we all have essentially equal quality of life, at least Xjet and SkW. If you still have faith in your management, then give them the latitude they need to survive . . . if not, then do not give them anything, and forces out of all of our control will play out.

I hope that things work out in the best way for all of you over at Xjet . . .

[SmitteyB]

I too hope everything works out for XJT. Good peeps over there.

No company is safe right now, ESPECIALLY regionals.

[FlyChicaga]

I have a lot of faith in our management team, and I know the management team at SkyWest is excellent as well. The thing is, regardless where you work, they are management. Their job is to run the company and do their best to keep it profitable. Our job is to operate as professionals and help our company make money, while at the same time ensure we don't take it so far that we are working for free.

The memo from SkyWest management asking for the elimination of our scope agreements has really irked me. That is why I find this quote more applicable than ever... To our pilots. I am as big a kool-aid drinker as can be, but at what end do I give up my quality of life and the things that are important (time at home, a comfortable living situation, etc.) for my career? I'd prefer to stand strong in this situation, and hope an equitable solution presents itself without making the lives of our pilots more difficult. I don't want to get on my knees begging to keep my job, watching everything our pilots worked for in 2002-2004 go up in smoke. I'd rather dig in, work hard, and continue to do my job in a professional manner every day, just like I did yesterday, and the day before that.

I expect that should management deem a merger necessary, they will realize the hard work of our pilots, and do what they can to protect our interests as well as the interests of the company. I see no need for any change to our Collective Barganing Agreement.

[kellwolf]

I hope you guys stick it out.

I don't really have a dog in this fight other than close friends being employed by XJT, but the clause that XJT relax their scope irks me as well. It's basically saying "We'll save you, but you have to sign your rights away."