The current agreement does NOT have a provision protecting new aircraft orders and options. In TA2 there is Letter of Agreement #1, titled “Boeing Purchase Order”. This letter of agreement adds protections for 2012 order and options ensuring all Flight Attendant work performed on current aircraft and aircraft acquired under the 2012 Order shall be performed by the Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, so long as those aircraft are operated by an entity under the Control of AAG. None of the current aircraft or aircraft acquired under the 2012 Order shall be flown by airlines not controlled by AAG under a capacity purchase agreement with AAG or an entity under the Control of AAG. This is an important protection especially with today’s announcement of additional CPA flying by SkyWest into new markets including Milwaukee, Oklahoma City and PDX to St. Louis.
Sherrie says
But it doesn’t have Protection for future Boeing orders. How can this be a good thing?
Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President) says
The 2012 Boeing Purchase Order LOA is a protection that we do not have today, so it is better than having no protection. Any aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines–regardless of when it is purchased–must be staffed by Alaska Airlines flight attendants per 3.D. The reality is that the Alaska Airlines pilots were unable to achieve additional protections beyond an virtually identical 2012 Boeing Purchase Order LOA. It would have been extremely difficult to achieve greater protections than the pilots. You will have to weigh the achieved protections (or lack thereof) in the context of the overall agreement and make your decision accordingly.
meri watson says
What about orders placed after the 2012 order?
Jeffrey Peterson (MEC President) says
The 2012 Boeing Purchase Order LOA says that any aircraft from this purchase cannot be operated under Air Group or outside the Air Group as Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) flying. Aircraft procured after the 2012 order are not covered under the LOA.
However, any aircraft operated as Alaska Airlines–regardless of when they are purchased–must be staffed by Alaska Airlines flight attendants. This protection is in place today and in TA2. See 3.D for the relevant language.