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Old 05-07-2012 | 05:19 PM
  #98208  
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Jack Bauer
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Originally Posted by Timbo
I'm still not too clear on why the company came to us, to open early, and get this thing done quickly. All I've heard from my Rep. when I called him to ask is,

"Richard wants to pursue Other Opportunities..."

Ummm...Ok, but what's in it, for US?

Are we going to get MORE MONEY/Benefits/Retirement/Work rules, etc. (another 'bite of the apple') if/when this Other Opportunity comes about? What if we are still in contract negotiations a year from now, and Delta has just posted a $2Billion proffit?

What if Richard's "Other Opportunity" is...Getting the Pilots to rush into being locked into a substandard contract for several more years, with minimum pay/benefit restoration now, before Delta starts making $2Billion/yr. with his new cheap fuel farm?? Or before O'Bama gets re-elected, or before he buys...? someone else, shrinks the mainline (again) and gives our DC9 flying to yet another RJ operator? Or all of the above?

Unless we get a huge pay restoration, with huge retirement paybacks, with upside profit sharing protections for if/when his fuel farm (the one our pay cuts paid for) purchase starts 'paying off', and better scope/job protections, I'm in no hurry to commit to yet another long term bankruptcy pay rate/benefit contract (adjusted for inflation, we are still there today!).

I see no reason to rush into this, just because he -said- he's got "Other Opportunities".

As I tell my wife when ever she wants me to do housework;

"Don't Rush ME! If I rush, I'll make mistakes, and we don't want that now do we?"
BINGO! "Big Opportunity" could be the flavor of this negotiating year. That with "MORE AIRPLANES", in the form of A320/717 leaks. Gets pilots all hot and bothered to pull the trigger on a substandard contract proposal. Then when those "other things" don't pan out as you had hoped and it turns out you're not upgrading as soon as you thought or flying newer shiny jets, you realize the pilot group (with the help of DALPA Marketing Group PLC.) just got taken to the cleaners and locked in under yet another concessionary contract.

Guys, don't get caught up in the excitement of what might be, think logically about what is being served on the plate. So far its pretty close to dog doo. Sorry NC, you guys need to step away from your elite, friends having dinner with "powerful people" mentality. Regroup and realize this is the time to get something worthwhile. If you cant do that, admit it and step away from the table.