Originally Posted by
Pineapple Guy
Let ME be clear. What you are proposing is that junior pilots get a 50% payraise in the next contract, and senior pilots get a 20% raise. Or whatever the numbers turn out to be. And that's your definition of what a "real union" would do, huh?
And let me guess, you just happen to be junior...
Seriously, I find it disappointing that the only people who seem to argue strongly for a position, are those who would benefit directly from it, all the while claiming a morally superior position and rationalizing it is the best for the pilot group as a whole. Some examples:
1. Old guys arguing that retirement dollars are the most important.
2. Junior guys arguing that scope is the most important.
3. Junior guys arguing we need to level payrates (see above).
4. Senior pilots in smaller equipment arguing for seniority based (rather than equipment based) pay.
5. All pilots in a smaller aircraft (MD88 and/or 767) asking for pay "banding" that would bring their pay up more than their peers (73N and 330/777 respectively).
6. Regional guys arguing for a merger just so they can get a DAL seniority number without an interview.
7. Bald guys arguing to keep the hat.
And the list goes on and on...
As a Junior guy, I'll come out and say I disagree with Hockeypilot's position.
I don't think it is financially feasible to offer a higher pay raise to junior pilots in contrast to senior ones.
As a Junior guy, I won't patronize and preach about how much I've sacrificed and given up under the current contract. Truth is, I wouldn't have a job or DAL seniority number if it wasn't for the sacrifices senior pilots ahead of me made to keep this company in business. I try and keep myself grounded with that fact whenever I talk about our contract and representation.
My statement about pilots being our own worst enemies is an ongoing truth, and I agree with all of your number points. We pretend to take an unbiased approach when discussing contractual changes improvements, but our actions have been anything but this.
I'm not saying that I am willing to give away scope and take a pay cut to appease our senior pilots, but I do feel our senior pilots are entitled to a little more given the sacrifices they have made over the past ten years.
I do think we as a group need to move forward together as a whole, and not pit one side against the other regardless of the issue.