Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
That's a good point. As it is now, you don't have to wonder. We are currently being compensated as if the company was in Chapter 11 and in danger of liquidation. And anyone who went through bankruptcy with Delta knows how easily the other employee groups are turned against us. Glad you don't have to "wonder" about that, T.
OK.. let's get down on it. The differing opinion is not whether or not we are worth much much more than we are currently being paid. I don't think anybody here has said anything to the contrary, least of all me. So why don't we dispense with that kind of talk? I won't bring up the divisiveness of the donuts and their total uselessness at this point in time if you will drop the other talk.
We are underpaid. That is a fact. We are being paid as if we were still in danger of liquidation.. I do not argue that point. My opinion is that we (Delta) are not alone in the industry. Some people seem to think that we can go out and magically get a 50% pay increase with no repercussions wrt DAL and the rest of the industry. That is naive. AMR is in bankruptcy, and if you do not believe that that has an effect on us then that is even more naive. Sure, you can look at the RASM/CASM etc etc etc... numbers and make it work to suit your argument if you discount the fact that DAL exists as a money making entity - and here's a flash news item - it exists because the shareholders see fit to invest in Delta. You above all should know this relationship. Would YOU as an investor put your money in DAL is you saw profits declining by 50% because of a single labor groups' new contract? Shareholders couldn't care less about labor as long as their costs are in line. I am fine with that, it is just business. And again, because forum readers have very short attention spans, I am not making management's argument for them. I am looking at this from a business perspective. The point is that when the bottom line margin gets so razor thin that those investors flee for more lucrative pastures, there is a cost there. Not our problem you say? I differ. It IS our problem, because that effects us. The real question is how much of a payraise is attainable? In about 36 days, we are going to have a little better idea.
Somebody above trashed me because I said it would be more advantageous for us to be negotiating a year or so down the road. If DAL is making $500 million less in interest payments, it would certainly be a lot easier to make the case for a bigger raise. I think we CAN make the case that the pilots have contributed much more to the cause when those payments are lowered. But.. guess what.. that won't happen until early 2013. But I guess we can just hold our breath etc etc etc....
I will patiently wait for the opener...
Fire away