Originally Posted by
FlyZ
IMHO, we need to see through these ploys and remember some key facts:
- Mgt's words ("We don't like the RJ product") violently disagree with their actions (maxing out large RJs to the contractual limit, filling LGA with them after the slot swap, focusing their advertising on large RJs with First Class, and flying them between cities like New York and Chicago.) If we let them replace everything A-320/M90 and smaller with DCI & Alaska tomorrow, I have no doubt they would do it.
- When mgt is confronted about RJs, the continual reply is that they are being parked as quickly as possible. This may be true of 50-seaters, but it is dishonest to lump them together with the big ones. Some 50-seaters are being parked...the big ones are continuing to take our flying.
- We can fly large RJs at mainline for very close to the same cost of DCI! I'm not sure how the marginal cost savings (if there is any) is worth the sub-par service our passengers receive on DCI. For whatever reason, mgt seems hell-bent on placing as many of them on DCI as we let them (even to the detriment of the Delta image). Our kids would also eat as many Snickers as we let them, even though they are bad for their health. In both cases, let's not let them!
I find this very troubling as well. It doesn't build trust (there has actually been a lot of broken trust between pilots and management these past 10 years) when managment says one thing and does another....speaking out of both sides of the mouth so to speak (pun intended).
Hopefully they value a happy, motivated pilot work force (who have more control over cost than any other employee group) Hopefully they want to share the success going forward and reward pilots for the sacrafices made these past 10 years. Managment pay has continued to go up. Pilots need restoration.
If all this talk of engagement and "we want to work with you and be a team that succeeds together...a win/win", turns out to be trickery (ie more loopholes to bust wide upon in the coming months/years) things could turn south in a hurry.
The internet and social media open up avenues not previously available to employee groups. Even our drinking friend Parker gets that "you need the employees on board" to get anything done these days. Pi$$ the employees off when they find out you were not sincere and set them up for a double cross (or more of what happened with the LGA letter writing campaign only to turn it over to almost all RJ's) or burn too many bridges, no airline will remain successful for long.
Unhappy employees can create all kinds of havoc, not the least resulting in Pi$$ed off pax who wont fly said airline any longer. Has anyone been following the campaign Conited pilots are launching using a PR firm from DC?
The Unfriendly Skies - Let's Fly with U.S. Pilots I don't think Delta wants this kind of publicity. A plea to Delta...bring the flying in house. Don't brag in the newspaper about RJ's with first class that due to their being outsourced caused many of your pilots to be furloughed for many years.
Regain control of your product and run your airline...don't leave it up to other managements to produce the quality your customers deserve. We know Mullen was an idiot for outsourcing so many small jets. His failure to plan properly should not now become our emergency. Anyway, you are much smarter than Mullen. Let's talk about a price we can agree on for RJ's and bring that flying back in house. That is the negotiation that should be taking place right now...not increasing the number of large, outsourced RJ's. Keep your employees happy. You will be rewarded over the long term if you do so.