Originally Posted by
sailingfun
There has been zero discussion of a opening position or where it should shake out. The contract surveys have not even been distributed. It is still being written. What Dalpa should do is construct a opener that reflects the desire of the majority of the pilots based on the contract survey.
If a rep is telling you the MEC had decided on a opening figure at this point he is simply lying. He may have a personal opinion but the MEC has not entered into this discussion. Its to early in the process.
I can tell you from past phone surveys you may not like the opener unless the contract survey comes back quite a bit different. I did not like the numbers I was hearing from last winter. That is why its very important to take several hours and fill the survey out to reflect your wishes.
Unfortunately some of the LEC members like to give their own opinions, when they are the ones who should be taking our opinions and passing that onto the negotiators. It seems they pass their opinions off as fact, and that is wrong. Lot's of head shaking, and managing of expectations.
I think the contract survey will tell a lot, and 15% won't even be close. Last Winter's numbers don't reflect the knowledge of recent profits and recent events like Airtran pilots getting Southwest pay and benefits in their upcoming joint contract. The opener will be important, and without promotion of the pilot group into top tier status among our peers (read SWA and Fedex), I feel the DPA will have a shot at the upset. Dalpa better get it right at that opener.