Originally Posted by
Check Essential
I wouldn't worry too much about the survey return numbers.
Historically, the Delta pilot group has a very significant level of "under participation". We have a huge "silent contingent". Whether it is surveys or LEC elections.
Its not that they are dumb, they definitely are not, but they just have other things they concentrate on in life. (side businesses, recreation, family, whatever) They prefer not to waste brain cells on any ALPA/Contract type issues. They actively avoid becoming too informed.
You don't necessarily want those guys filling out the surveys.
This is not to say they are somehow anti-labor or pro-management. They will be at our side if the union ever calls for a job action. But they will also not agitate independently, they don't attend meetings, and they especially won't spend any time analyzing our work rules or studying the contract comparison. They vote however the MEC recommends.
That's how our TAs always pass 60-40. If it gets past the MEC, it gets ratified.
A buddy of mine had an interesting interaction with a JSer when the JSer became incensed when his ideal raise was pointed out to be well below SWA pay. My buddy was basically told he was wrong, DAL > SWA even after chapter 11... book it.
Let me be honest, how many of us realized just how much SWA made until we started poking each other in the eye over the slot swap? And I'd think the people here are pretty informed so I could imagine on the line the idea is DAL post chapter 11 pay is just knocked down to everyone else.
I think some pilots do indeed believe DAL Post Chapter 11 > SWA in pay. Maybe they're the same ones who believe an EMB-175 is an Airbus and they don't fill out surveys, never heard of the DPA and would vote however the MEC said even if the MEC said there were literally guns pointed at them so they recommend a vote yes but 90% of the airline would be furloughed. They'd vote yes.