Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
Forecast:
(1) The DPA has not done its homework (as of this writing) to offer a alternative "safe harbor" to thwart a crappy TA which might be ratified if sent to the "I don't care made Captain in my X year, senior, just want more money" crowd. If the DPA were sharp, it would already be crafting a lawsuit requesting injunctive relief while the representational question was being sorted, thus offering a plan to delay a TA until the Company's hand was forced on replacing the 50 seat, Douglas & 757 fleets.
(2) No increase in dues for Delta pilots. ALPA will try again to attach dues to 401K and other deferred income retirement plans. This has not made it past the BOD in years past. Mostly effects the UAL pilots.
(3) No way in hell. ALPA hasn't made scope restoration a goal and management wants scope relief. With ALPA punting and management demanding the ball in play, it is only reasonable to expect management will end up with the ball, first down, with good field position. We would have to offer a defense, which we seemingly have no interest in.
For (1), that would be an interesting stratedgy indeed. Of course it would be spun as "evil wanna be union blocks pay raise!" but that goes without saying.
For (2), while I'm not one getting spun up about the dues rumor, the UAL angle is very interesting. While there is talk and a perpetual 40%ish pre-loaded card drive at any given time at DL, UAL is, IMO, even more likely to be the first to leave ALPA. Not a sure thing of course, just more likely IMO. That would leave DL pilots shouldering the industry and being on the hook for any insane TWA ambulance chaser windfall. Even the mother of all CBA's brought to the DL pilots by ALPA (and that's a stretch!) would make leaving an absolute necessity. While I see the reasons for a potential UAL increase, I can't imagine ALPA would be so stupid as to inflame one of the "Big 2" like that. Especially the one that may have the shortest fuse with ALPA to begin with.
For (3), you got that right. It reminds me of watching your team on defense make a dramatic sack, then celebrate like they are champions. Then the next play they give up a first down. Then they make two stops, one for a 2 yard loss, and celebrate like champs. Then give up long yardage on a 3rd down shotgun....etc. Like one of those defenses that celebrates their entire way backwards down the field as they get score on. But you couldn't get anything by them on second down, so at least they have that going for them!
And your punting analogy is right on too. We do a garden variety punt that gives the other team pretty good field position and give them the ball, and celebrate how many yards we just "gained".