Originally Posted by
tsquared030
The percentage is accurate.
I believe that you are comparing W2s and they are comparing rates.
I know you already understand this, but our goal should be to become the highest paid pilots. That is accomplished through a combination of increased pay RATES, and improved WORK RULES.
I don't want guys to focus on such and such rate, without understanding what effect any work rule changes add to our overall pay.
T
I actually agree with what you're saying. The problem is that the article being referenced stated a need for a 31% increase to bring our MD-88 pilots to parity with SWA pilots. If you're just looking at pay rates, that might be correct (without looking it up, I'll assume you're correct about that). But the quote wasn't clear as to whether they were talking pay rates or pay. As you point out, there can be a big difference. A comparison of pay rates in this case is really irrelevant.
Bottom line, SWA pilots fly on average fewer days than DAL MD-88 pilots fly. They also fly about the same (maybe slightly more) block hours. But they make a heck of a lot more than 31% over DAL MD-88 pilots. However, we increase our pay... whether it's just through higher pay rates, or work rules, or a combination of both... we need a lot more than 31% to match our pay to SWA pay. Make sense?