Originally Posted by
Rogue24
Have you spent any time talking to your Reps?
Do you realize that to get the gains (restoration) that everyone wants, we need to be working for a company that is willing to not just agree to those raises, but support them. The RLA playbook was not written for labor. The next best thing for an airline and pilot group of our size, is to work for a company that tore up the old airline business model and wrote a new one. Investment grade is just another notch in that belt.
Look at the slides that were presented at that investor breakfast. A takeaway is a lot of extra cash in the business plan for "opportunities." Whatever those may be, will further solidify the new way of running an airline. Old ways need to be done away with. A company that is constantly profitable means gains every time we come to the table. Most importantly is sustain profitability means no give backs and no concessions.
Everyone on here touts SWA and their pilot bennies. Well what other company is considered "investment grade" and pays a dividend ?
It may not be where we the pilots want the money, but it does further our case to management when our time to talk comes. This announcement makes my expectations move higher not lower.
While the basis of your arguments sound good and should make sense....they don't with this union/pilot group.
After the merger the swirling sentiment among many of the guys at the time....work hard to run things efficiently and provide great customer service...it will pay off in the restoration contract of C2012 with the company being profitable. In my opinion the pilot group got bamboozled with a combined beat down of misleading info of tag team DALPA/Management. The proof is in the pudding as they say.
All the exciting news/rumors in the world (ie hiring soon, taking American jets and growing our South American operation with lots more hiring, growing our flying by purchasing a stake in Virgin Atlantic and GOL and GRUPO AEROMÉXICO with likely more to come... and now the epically exciting "We are aiming for investment grade status by giving money back to investors"..) has done nothing for Joe Delta Pilot. Prepare for the new message in C2015....sorry guys the money's already been spent....but atta boy for working so hard....we REALLY do appreciate all you do.
How much longer can the goodwill last and guys still lap up the crazy feel good statements about why everything above is so fantastic with no real payout? Just seems like some guys have either been 1. Sniffing crazy glue or 2. Have their own personal and/or union agenda, which is removed from the plight of the average line pilot at Delta Air Lines.