Bases announced!!

[idledetent]

So with bases announced and the pilot agreement talks slowing down or on hold, how does the pilot group feel about the current state of affairs.

[Flying Nutcracker]

I can't speak for the entire group... But, I for one, am going to Costco to buy popcorn by the pallet and buying a fridge big enough for a lot of beer!

[unregistered]

lol

[Arctic84]

Bases, shmases.

This is not about bases. Pilot agreement on hold indefinitely, and everyone with their eye off the ball.

If you think this is about bases, you haven't been paying attention for the last couple of years.

[Lateralus]

Bases, shmases.

This is not about bases. Pilot agreement on hold indefinitely, and everyone with their eye off the ball.

If you think this is about bases, you haven't been paying attention for the last couple of years.

THAT is ridiculous!

[Lateralus]

And to add, I know pilots think they are only ones that matter. But seriously the bases effect many departments and employees. NOT just Pilots. There is no conspiracy theory here.

[Arctic84]

Fine. When are the bases scheduled to open?

What are the location of the bases? How many bases?

The answer; unknown, unknown and unknown.

But the pilot agreement goes on the back burner.

Keep your eye on the ball.

[Lateralus]

I don't know.....like you said keep your eye on the ball......lots more to come.

[idledetent]

Bases should have been dealt with long long ago by flight ops but the bonus's being paid out were more important than operational integrity. Now its OH MY God we need bases and now! So obviously forget dealing with the pilots their not worth it. Just numbers on the balance sheet.

[Lateralus]

Well according to the WJPA they are still working on the agreement...

[wjhr]

Fine. When are the bases scheduled to open?

What are the location of the bases? How many bases?

The answer; unknown, unknown and unknown.

But the pilot agreement goes on the back burner.

Keep your eye on the ball.

As early as September if they can get the poop in a group.
YYZ 40% YYC 40% YVR20% is one proposal and the one most likely in my opinion.

Look around Arctic, how did the winter go? Every other day commuters can’t get to work, over 500 cancellations in Feb, the storms etc. Where do we see big growth? Where do we need the resources with only 25 captains in YYZ and about 100 FO’s? When PORTS consolidate in the East, that will bring the FO’s alone up to roughly 30% of what is required. I know you know these answers

And, Yes they are still working on the agreement! Bases touch sooo many parts of the agreement. Not to mention the new fatigue rules coming into effect in the near future. It’s the most prudent thing to do in my opinion.

[KAG]

Yup this is going to get interesting, heated, and drawn out.
Bases in YYC, YYZ and possibly YVR. The who what when where and why isn't answered yet.
It's not a conspiracy or a bargaining tactic (that's funny BTW) it's long past due and our IROPS are
Only going to get worse as we grow.
So grab some popcorn, place your bets, and enjoy the show.

[wjhr]

I agree KAG. But, it will only get worse the bigger WJ gets. It’s time with 30 more AC coming (assuming all leases are kept) it aligns with the Encore base in 2014 and now you can look forward to less TAFB, Ground school in your base and likely a lot less 5 day pairings! YYC for sim only

[flyer 1492]

Well according to the WJPA they are still working on the agreement...

Why would you allow the company to announce the bases when you don't even have the paper work finished. Then you are going to push out the contract by 1 year. Great association you have woking for YOU.

[WJ200]

Well according to the WJPA they are still working on the agreement...



Why would you allow the company to announce the bases when you don't even have the paper work finished. Then you are going to push out the contract by 1 year. Great association you have woking for YOU.

Well you've just revealed your ignorance of the inner workings at WJ. Allow the company.?...how did ACPA allow Rouge....how did Jazz allow Sky Regional....how did Sunwing allow foreign pilots. There are business decisions which are beyond the scope of pilot associations and at the end of the day none of us run the business. We like to think we do but there are many decisions which are beyond anyone's control.

[Lateralus]

Well according to the WJPA they are still working on the agreement...

Why would you allow the company to announce the bases when you don't even have the paper work finished. Then you are going to push out the contract by 1 year. Great association you have woking for YOU.

Again pal this isn't just about the pilots its about the whole company. Did you know that there more people than just pilots work at an airline? Our agreement has nothing to do with this. YOU sure do spend a lot of time worrying what WJ does. If I were YOU I would be a lot more worried about your own company.

[wjhr]

Think I have to agree with these guys flyer1492.
When the decision was made to go with the bases, there was no way WJ could meet the expiry date of the agreement. There is actually a provision in the current agreement which allows for the delay up to a year for an introduction of bases. Since bases touch everything from flica to commuting policy to bids and holidays it was the most prudent thing to do since there is no way all that work can be done before may. It's not a matter of having the "paperwork" done in that little amount of time. In the meantime, the work continues on the agreement, guys will still get their raises, gain seniority and when a new agreement is in place and retro pay is owed, it will be paid. You sure do have a big interest in wj! Wjhr
btw, I really find it odd that a pilot would "allow" a company to make decisions. Sure, express concerns etc, provide input etc, but isn't that why we elected our wjpa members? Isnt that why we have executives? They (the wjpa)were at the table. They had a say, they saw the proposal. They know the challenges. It's just plain collaborative work and WJ will be going to the group regularly with info and ideas for their input. Just saying. Take a look at your own greenhouse before you throw a stone!

[flyer 1492]

I have no problem with management making decisions, but shouldn't they have all the details figured out (time frame, base numbers, seniority etc) before it was announced.

[CanadaEH]

WestJet has a history of including its employees in big decisions. This decision will impact around 3500-4000 employees. I'm glad we're going this route because our crew issues have been impacting our OTP all winter and if going to 2 or 3 bases makes things better, while minimizing the impact to employees, I'm all for it.

[Flying Nutcracker]

As the caring airline Westjet is... They actually had the "nerve" to make an announcement before details are pounded together to give employees a chance to not make any big plans of moving, buying a house and other big life-altering decisions until the BIG announcement is made.

I think it is a good way of saying things are changing soon, sit tight!

[7thirtyseven]

Well according to the WJPA they are still working on the agreement...

Why would you allow the company to announce the bases when you don't even have the paper work finished. Then you are going to push out the contract by 1 year. Great association you have woking for YOU.

Again pal this isn't just about the pilots its about the whole company. Did you know that there more people than just pilots work at an airline? Our agreement has nothing to do with this. YOU sure do spend a lot of time worrying what WJ does. If I were YOU I would be a lot more worried about your own company.

Ok Lateralus you do realize that the pilots were supposed to have a new contentious agreement in the next month, do you realize this agreement has been shelved indefinatly.... Solely due to the bases, and thus far top wages have been frozen at the previous rate? No, bases are not solely about pilots but the circumstances have more than a few of us concerned.

[Bede]

I have no problem with management making decisions, but shouldn't they have all the details figured out (time frame, base numbers, seniority etc) before it was announced.

No. We got hit hard during the winter and a bunch of commuters were looking to move to Calgary. They told guys to hold tight-we're going to a base-details to follow- so guys would have some time to look at their decision. Flyer, you need to give it a rest.

[rudder]

We got hit hard during the winter and a bunch of commuters were looking to move to Calgary. They told guys to hold tight-we're going to a base-details to follow- so guys would have some time to look at their decision. Flyer, you need to give it a rest.

I am surprised that WJ waited this long to go to multi-base crewing. I guess that the cost/benefit analysis of single base culture vs multi-base efficiency has finally tipped in favour of the latter.

I am curious if this will result in involuntary crew displacements from YYC and if so will that relocation expense (if incurred) be covered by the company?

Guess that it will be YYZ for you Bede

p.s. welcome to the joys of Base rivalry.

[Lateralus]

Why would you allow the company to announce the bases when you don't even have the paper work finished. Then you are going to push out the contract by 1 year. Great association you have woking for YOU.[/quote]

Again pal this isn't just about the pilots its about the whole company. Did you know that there more people than just pilots work at an airline? Our agreement has nothing to do with this. YOU sure do spend a lot of time worrying what WJ does. If I were YOU I would be a lot more worried about your own company.[/quote]


Ok Lateralus you do realize that the pilots were supposed to have a new contentious agreement in the next month, do you realize this agreement has been shelved indefinatly.... Solely due to the bases, and thus far top wages have been frozen at the previous rate? No, bases are not solely about pilots but the circumstances have more than a few of us concerned.[/quote]

Yes I am aware of this. Tell me what is the rush of implementing the new agreement? Is it the current agreement so bad that you hate coming to work?

Also the bases will tackle some of the issues that guys were pushing for in the new agreement such as getting rid of 5 day pairings. There shouldn't be many if any now.

Can you tell me what you are expecting or hoping for in the new agreement? How much of a raise are you expecting? And why can't we get retro pay if we get raises if he agreement takes longer?

I think everyone knows that bases are needed look at the IROPS this winter, it was a shit show. I have a hard time believing this is some sort of "tactic" by management to screw the pilots.

And by the way I am not trying to be a jerk here, if you want to PM instead feel free.

[DH772]

wjhr, does this mean the end of port system or will these bases still be in conjunction with ports?