Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
A couple of years ago, the usual suspects on the DALPA forum were pretty much out in the open with their assertion that the kind of numbers necessary for restoration are "not realistic" for us to achieve. Now, they are a little more subtle about it. But it is in effect a tacit admission that they believe restoration is unachievable. They just have more severe political consequences now if they come out and say it in so many words.
Restoration, however deserved, is not the right stratedgy/rhetoric IMO. We should stick to SWA plus reasonable premiums in all areas, SWA pay rates plus reasonable premius for small narrowbody planes and up from there and SWA scope and work rules...plus a reasonable premium.
Its much harder for a Stockholm'd pilot or a manager alike to make the case as to
why we can't afford that without accusing or admitting (as the case may be) that its a management talent issue. And that stratedgy plays straight to the NMB's heart. Battle cries for "restoration" because "we deserve it" and back in the glory days you could get a Caddilac for a month's pay and all that not only serve no strategic purpose, it ends up being equal to or less than SWA plus reasonable premiums anyway...especially when you include scope. All flying on 01-01-13 belongs to us and we will end up getting a massive portion of our oursourced flying back and each and every seat the company wishes to have at DCI, AK or in a JV will have to be "paid for" by the company because the baseline is SWA plus reasonable premiums and it is indefensible to say we can't have what a ruthless industry dominant competitor has.