Sunlight is the Great Disinfectant

WELCOME 21 Air’s new hires. The snow will soon be gone. TAPA’s 2022 elected Officers, Karl, Tony and Jim with our original Committee Chairmen look forward to meeting you as you transition to B767 flying. It’s been a cold winter in KCVG. There have been no LEGAL changes made to the TAPA, Inc. corporate officers. 

OPEN LETTER On Jan. 19, 2021, our founding TAPA officers agreed to specific language found in the TAPA Constitution and Bylaws. We summarized these Bylaws in the NEWS section in an Open Letter to our Chief Pilot. To protect your VOTE, we posted the Open TAPA letter on www.21air.org or, you can email the CPO if you would like to add anything to your Open Letter.

TAPA DUES Your elected TAPA officers received a letter claiming that “your dues” may be redirected to a new TAPA. This same group ran a “no dues” campaign, but has no idea what RLA lawyers actually cost. There can only be one TAPA, Inc. that was organized from Resolution #7. On May 25, 2022, of the pilots voting, 100% voted for TAPA, Inc. formation. There were then strict limitations placed on the initial TAPA, Inc. formation of 45 days in the State of Florida. TAPA is the designated bargaining unit for 21Air pilots in accordance with NMB approval, case file # R-7559. The 45-day window from Resolution #7 has since closed.

PAY PROTECTION Lacking in our CBA is pay protection. That means once it’s “on your line, you don’t own it.” The Company has the ability to take away your trips, abrogate your seniority and put you on reserve. This means, unless you are a LCA you may not get the flight pay hours you want or the days off you need - for your family.

PAY RATES We are glad to see the Company open-up discussions under CBA Sec. 20.C to address diminished pay and benefits. TAPA supports CBA improvements to parity for increased pay and benefits. Currently, the Hawaiian Air pilots negotiated $435 per hour as their senior top-tier rate on A330F for the Prime Ramp at KCVG. Experienced instructors at the Regionals are earning upwards of $450K each year. Horizon Air, organized by the IBT #1224 owns the record. Airline Professionals Association | Teamsters Local Union No. 1224 (apa1224.org)

SCHEDULING Recently, we have had conflicts with scheduling on pilot notification. A pilot can return from a trip, be placed on reserve and then interrupted during crew rest. Once a trip is on your line, or if displaced with another, the higher-hour trip should be paid to you as the original holder of that flying. These discussions were scheduled with the Company. If you feel you are on legal rest or do not want to be interrupted due to needed rest or fatigue, be sure to call or email scheduling on your black out times.

SICK LEAVE Accumulation of pilot sick leave is an important benefit for 21Air pilots. If you are entitled to a certain number of sick days each year, these should be “banked” at the start of your anniversary. Most airlines have three to four times the number of sick days and bridge plans for pilot use to maintain pay, allow time off for care and quality of life, during times of hardship. An improved sick bank is a top priority for TAPA pilots.

MEDICAL Pilot medical plans constantly require review to include deductibles and coverage. Currently the Company links pilot medical with other employee plans that may not meet the specialized interests of the FAA or the demanding requirements we need. TAPA continues to discuss increased benefits and coverage for pilots.

SURVEY LINK One of the ideal ways to continue interaction on CBA changes is to participate in TAPA’s contract survey. In the interim, log on to the TAPA website and click on the message icon to send your thoughts and comments. TAPA is shaping future negotiations and how we will counter to the Company. Look for the pilot survey summary coming soon to www.21air.org. Click on the NEWS toolbar at the top of the web page.