Originally Posted by
SailorJerry
Interestingly, it's odd to see anything done in a rush with these deals. I'm guessing the 717 negotiations had been under tight security since probably even before the SWA-AT merger was announced. We were rushed along as part of the scheme to sell us the "product".
Oddly enough had we rejected the TA or had the MEC decided to pursue better for the 717s, we still probably wouldn't be hiring with neutral 2013 block hours. Then the TA would have gotten done next year, and it's possible that the stagnation would have been more persistent.
Are you being cynical since DAL Legal's spin is better than yours, or just for the sake of being cynical? I prefer the latter.
I actually agree with 90% of your post. The cynicism is actually stemming from the sales job of the rush to pass the TA to get a good deal quick. Most people I spoke with both in ALPA and on the line that were pushing the TA stated that the company wanted to make moves and we would see further improvements in short order. That was the justification for the far below expectation payrates and other poor improvements.
By far the most zealot line pilots for the TA I flew with were for more money now, and DL is going to make moves and make them quick after this TA, freeing us up to quick improvements.
Well, here we are.... there is nothing close to triggering further improvements happening now. We are not pursuing parts of AA- in fact we are much farther from doing so than when the TA was in discussion. Hiring is as far away or even farther away.
Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the improvements in the contract- as a reserve I'm reaping many of the small rewards. The issue that I brought up during the TA discussion-and that which has proven to be true- what's the rush for such a mediocre gain after so many gives?