What I wrote was an example of what has been floated by pro DPA guys including myself. I have no idea what the actual DPA would propose although I do know they are big on the notion the pilots wants/interests can be accurately represented as opposed to the DALPA "we know whats best, we will handle this privately between us and management" way.

For me personally, I would take SWA plus 5% DOS plus 5% each year after that for 3 years (I dont think this would sound outlandish to the mediators especially given the fact Delta is on track to be making some significant money (billions including the paydown money) in the near term during one of the worst years (fuel/economy/earthquakes/etc) in aviation history and even more money going forward in the coming years.

When I say SWA, I mean their 737 rates equal our MD rates. Based upon those ratios all the other equipment rates climb respectfully. That would put a 12 year MD captain at $220.50/hr and a five year MD FO at 132.30/hr at DOS. That's a roughly 39.5% increase on the Captain side and would put the largest equipment captain rate in the neighborhood of $302.71/hr. Not full restoration plus inflation but by linking to the SWA payrates in a meaningful way it gets us much closer to our goal. On the contract survey I put 40% initial pay increase. This proposal meets that criteria.

My fear is that ALPA will come back with something in the neighborhood of +7 at DOS plus 4% each year after that for 4 or five years or maybe even worse! In recent years ALPA has tended to see most things through managements glasses and are more than willing to "help a management friend" out. It's getting really old.

What would you propose?