WestJet Pilots vote in favour of strike

[Up_Then_Down]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ ... -1.6814216

[accountant]

Congrats guys, you just increads AC's load factors!

[McKinley]

I hope this goes well…

The public perception of this strike isn’t good.


In my opinion, alpa hasn’t made its case in terms of the reason for the strike action.” Eg. We need a contract that’s equal ..” huh ?


Why not explain the issues ?

[Loon-A-Tic]

Not so sure AC will be happy, they have their own payroll issues but I'm betting Team Raccoon is salivating a bit.

[rookiepilot]

PSAC is in a strike position Tommorrow. 155,000 workers.

[Loon-A-Tic]

PSAC is in a strike position Tommorrow. 155,000 workers.

Your tax dollars hard at work processing the tax return you filed "on time" for your much needed refund.

[bobcaygeon]

PSAC is in a strike position Tommorrow. 155,000 workers.

Do we really care? Your taxes are calculated by software these days unless you file paper. Audits will be put on hold.”

All the key payments like CTB, etc will be staffed as they are deemed essential workers.

The general public has almost zero sympathy from the average working person in the private sector. They pay a lot for positions that require no education or specific skills. There’s nowhere but the civil service where you get this and a defined benefit pension. Freedom 55 and 35 years of service because you can answer a phone at the tax centre when your still in high school.

Did I mention they have a pension that’s better than any pension a WJ pilot will ever have?

[bobcaygeon]

I hope this goes well…

The public perception of this strike isn’t good.


In my opinion, alpa hasn’t made its case in terms of the reason for the strike action.” Eg. We need a contract that’s equal ..” huh ?


Why not explain the issues ?

Lol away from home for up to 20 days…… but you only work 16 in total. How many of those 40% that are commuters chose to be? There’s not a single jet captain making less than 195k right now. The most junior captain started in June of 2013.

Millions of people living in the Golden Horseshoe make far less.

WJ looks like Canadian in the late 90’s. Long waits for upgrades because you just can’t keep growing like 18 years ago in the Canadian market with 38 million people.

Airfares lately have already jumped a lot everywhere with really shitty service to larger centres like Saskatoon, Regina, Moncton, etc. Look at ticket prices for vacations this summer.

It may not be the pilots wages that are going to affect fares significantly but the public is tired of the douploy.

Don’t get me wrong, wages and some working conditions needs to improve in a lot of areas but a great contract ain’t going to reduce upgrade times. Pilots are going to AC because of the shorter upgrade times, not flat pay lol.

Am I a pilot hater? No, I am a very experienced airline pilot who is paid well and thinks the FO wages are pathetic. History indicates this won’t get addressed adequately.

I’m just not a fan of anyone who makes $200k playing the “woe is me” card…..

L

[co-joe]

Not so sure AC will be happy, they have their own payroll issues but I'm betting Team Raccoon is salivating a bit.

That's the truth isn't it? Flair and Lynx are already over 90% load factors so we won't really gain anything here, but Porter will solidify it's place in the western market for sure.

[accountant]

Pilots don't care about public perception.

Also, pilots don't care about junior pilots. The good old "We had to put in our time, so should you". In zero sum bargainiing, or "give a bit to get", senior pilots will not give an ounce to help the juniors.

That's not on the company, that's on your egos.

Congrats!

[TomCruise]

Pilots don't care about public perception.

Also, pilots don't care about junior pilots. The good old "We had to put in our time, so should you". In zero sum bargainiing, or "give a bit to get", senior pilots will not give an ounce to help the juniors.

That's not on the company, that's on your egos.

Congrats!

Cheer up Accountant. Pilots do care. Your mindset is in left field when it comes to negotiating a new contract. No pilot group should accept "giving up" anything. We all know the the pilot's career path to financial security is a long one and full of risk and without guarantee. If you want FOs to make more then state your case to management. The Captains have as much say in what their paid FOs do. Stop the infighting it's counterproductive.

Captain Cruise

[Little Star]

The public thinks pilots make a lot of money. They have no sympathy there.

[rando]

Federal workers are striking because the pandemic is not over and it’s not safe to go to the office. Half of your income is garnished to pay for this, you definitely going to need a raise to compensate for the lack of productivity in this country.

https://twitter.com/canmericanized/stat ... esXv5uYsFw

Will these federal workers recognize your contribution that you keep risking your life all deadly pandemic to move people and cargo around the globe? Demand danger pay! Ha.

[FL030]

I’m just not a fan of anyone who makes $200k playing the “woe is me” card…..

You actually need to make around $225k to be able to afford a house or condo in Toronto or Vancouver these days (assuming $1.1m purchase cost). A $200k job isn't what it used to be.

[goldeneagle]

You actually need to make around $225k to be able to afford a house or condo in Toronto or Vancouver these days (assuming $1.1m purchase cost). A $200k job isn't what it used to be.

Ya, but you dont need to spend 1.1 mill on a home in Vancouver. Good friend of mine just sold a 3 bedroom townhouse in Richmond for a lot less than that, quite a nice unit in a decent neighborhood. Ideal for a young pilot starting a family, only 10 minutes from YVR. Assuming a minimum down payment, a couple with a combined income in the vicinity of 150 would qualify for a mortgage on that place.

[newlygrounded]

You actually need to make around $225k to be able to afford a house or condo in Toronto or Vancouver these days (assuming $1.1m purchase cost). A $200k job isn't what it used to be.

Ya, but you dont need to spend 1.1 mill on a home in Vancouver. Good friend of mine just sold a 3 bedroom townhouse in Richmond for a lot less than that, quite a nice unit in a decent neighborhood. Ideal for a young pilot starting a family, only 10 minutes from YVR. Assuming a minimum down payment, a couple with a combined income in the vicinity of 150 would qualify for a mortgage on that place.

What were the monthly fees? That counts against your borrowing power. Rates are crazy now. Even in 2020 150k would maybe get you a 550k mortgage! Also where are you going to get a down payment? If your a westjet guy you're probably broke from training and starting pay, or have a PUNY take home due to the RRSP matching which everyone should take advantage of!

[ant_321]

You actually need to make around $225k to be able to afford a house or condo in Toronto or Vancouver these days (assuming $1.1m purchase cost). A $200k job isn't what it used to be.

Ya, but you dont need to spend 1.1 mill on a home in Vancouver. Good friend of mine just sold a 3 bedroom townhouse in Richmond for a lot less than that, quite a nice unit in a decent neighborhood. Ideal for a young pilot starting a family, only 10 minutes from YVR. Assuming a minimum down payment, a couple with a combined income in the vicinity of 150 would qualify for a mortgage on that place.

What were the monthly fees? That counts against your borrowing power. Rates are crazy now. Even in 2020 150k would maybe get you a 550k mortgage! Also where are you going to get a down payment? If your a westjet guy you're probably broke from training and starting pay, or have a PUNY take home due to the RRSP matching which everyone should take advantage of!

Not to mention you’ll be house poor forever. I have a household income of about $300k and our mortgage is 600k and I feel house poor. I can imagine everyone buying these $1 million+ homes.

[newlygrounded]

Ya, but you dont need to spend 1.1 mill on a home in Vancouver. Good friend of mine just sold a 3 bedroom townhouse in Richmond for a lot less than that, quite a nice unit in a decent neighborhood. Ideal for a young pilot starting a family, only 10 minutes from YVR. Assuming a minimum down payment, a couple with a combined income in the vicinity of 150 would qualify for a mortgage on that place.

What were the monthly fees? That counts against your borrowing power. Rates are crazy now. Even in 2020 150k would maybe get you a 550k mortgage! Also where are you going to get a down payment? If your a westjet guy you're probably broke from training and starting pay, or have a PUNY take home due to the RRSP matching which everyone should take advantage of!

Not to mention you’ll be house poor forever. I have a household income of about $300k and our mortgage is 600k and I feel house poor. I can imagine everyone buying these $1 million+ homes.

Back when things were hot almost everyone took out the max mortgage they were approved for. I believe it was over 90%

[Mostly Harmless]

Always an interesting day when something like this is announced. The posters come out in small numbers.

I always wonder...

Are these paid shills? Hired by the union busting law firm that the company employs to try and stir up fear and division?

Are they just trolls looking for a reaction/attention?

Are they part of the Ontario culture of "How dare anyone make more money than me, you owe me!!" attitude so prevalent in that province?

Out of touch useful idiots who have no idea what the industry is like to work in and the sacrifices made? After all, if you don't understand someone else's job, it must be easy, right?

Well peoplekind, When one looks the world over and sees a shortage of skilled labour in your profession and you also see that everyone is being paid 2.5 times or more than you are, you begin to wonder why you are being paid third world wages in a supposedly first world country. 70% of those wages going to all 3 levels of government in the form of one tax or another and don't forget about the user fees. I don't think the pilots care about public perception, or to be more specific, your perception. They just want to be paid like they would be paid if they were born in any other country except Canada... land of the artificially low payscale (not just for pilots... all of us regardless of industry tend to be paid less than our peers). Ask yourself why pay here is so low instead of complaining about someone fighting to raise the bar.

Stop being

[yycflyguy]

The public thinks pilots make a lot of money. They have no sympathy there.

Zero Fooks given. "public sympathy" doesn't negotiate the contract. You get what you negotiate. Good news for the general public, there is a pilot shortage and everyone is hiring.

Go get 'em Westjet pilots. With pilot morale so low at AC, there shouldn't be any extra flying done by AC pilots. I'm hopeful the union will state as much to our less than astute members to just Fly Your Block.

[rookiepilot]

I’m curious if truckers, who make a fraction of a WJ captain, walked out on masse instead of protesting, shutting down the country, would this group support them? What about railway employees, same thing?

Just curious.

[Tbayer2021]

I’m curious if truckers, who make a fraction of a WJ captain, walked out on masse instead of protesting, shutting down the country, would this group support them? What about railway employees, same thing?

Just curious.

I'm curious if Rookie will ever enjoy the fruits of his labour and enjoy the riches his very successful business has brought him. Odd thing to spend some much time on avcanada if one is so wealthy. But then again, he has been trying to bum flights off of others........hmmmm.

Just curious.

[rookiepilot]

I’m curious if truckers, who make a fraction of a WJ captain, walked out on masse instead of protesting, shutting down the country, would this group support them? What about railway employees, same thing?

Just curious.

I'm curious if Rookie will ever enjoy the fruits of his labour and enjoy the riches his very successful business has brought him. Odd thing to spend some much time on avcanada if one is so wealthy. But then again, he has been trying to bum flights off of others........hmmmm.

Just curious.

I just remember, the same guy who is whining that 200K WJ captains are grossly underpaid, was screaming all day here for 50 K truckers to get back to work during the height of the pandemic.

My heroes are truck drivers who actually work hard for a living, — I know several— not button pushing WB Captains.

[cdnavater]

I’m curious if truckers, who make a fraction of a WJ captain, walked out on masse instead of protesting, shutting down the country, would this group support them? What about railway employees, same thing?

Just curious.

Well, since you are speaking out of your ass again, we are not talking about every pilot at every company shutting down the country.
If a trucking company with a union was in a legal strike position, I would wholeheartedly support them, even if it meant I had to wait or pay more to get my stuff but that would be my choice, the other choice would to be to wait for the strike to be over and the market to stabilize before ordering non essential items.
Air travel is not essential for the most part, few exceptions, so if people have to pay more for that perk their wallets will decide and that will dictate the amount of seats available for sale.
Not the pilots problem unless that is the deciding factor for viability.
If all truckers walk off en mass, I would think they would be risking their jobs and non union shops would offer their jobs back at starting pay, union shops would be hit with illegal job action lawsuits, come on rookie, you’re smarter than that!

[rookiepilot]

I’m curious if truckers, who make a fraction of a WJ captain, walked out on masse instead of protesting, shutting down the country, would this group support them? What about railway employees, same thing?

Just curious.

Well, since you are speaking out of your ass again, we are not talking about every pilot at every company shutting down the country.
If a trucking company with a union was in a legal strike position, I would wholeheartedly support them, even if it meant I had to wait or pay more to get my stuff but that would be my choice, the other choice would to be to wait for the strike to be over and the market to stabilize before ordering non essential items.
Air travel is not essential for the most part, few exceptions, so if people have to pay more for that perk their wallets will decide and that will dictate the amount of seats available for sale.
Not the pilots problem unless that is the deciding factor for viability.
If all truckers walk off en mass, I would think they would be risking their jobs and non union shops would offer their jobs back at starting pay, union shops would be hit with illegal job action lawsuits, come on rookie, you’re smarter than that!

Essential.

Now that is an interesting word.

During the pandemic it was essential that small businesses shut down, and big box stores selling exactly the same stuff stayed open.

Who decides what is essential?

Anyway. I think the way truckers were demonized during the pandemic was horrific. I guess I am alone in that view.