Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
Why would DALPA limit themselves to 18.2% raises next time? Oh you mean full restoration like with buying power too, oh and pensions?(yeah lets put our retirement back in the hands of those that terminated em)
Point is, the word restoration feels good, but has multiple meanings for a lot of pilots here at DAL.
What does it mean for a fNWA guy/gal versus a fDAL guy/gal? What were NWA's former top rates? Does this PWA hit em? How close does it get?
See I was less than thrilled with last years PWA, but it was determined, debated, resolved. Its high time we move on and focus on now what we should have done, but how we work going forward. Difference today is a company with real profits, not projections, a S&P listed company, one paying dividends, one paying exces and others well, and one that has lead the industry in PRASM for something like 23 of the last 24 quarters. We are also going to be in a "up economy" with the rest of the industry effectively equal on total compensation. I'd say the negotiating environment looks better this round, kind of like C2K with some notable differences, like debt.
I'd also say that DAL pilots have previously enjoyed a premium from the rest of the US sector and given where we are, it is time to put that back as a discussion point. Openers are 15 months out so lets look forward.
First, as a representative, you seem confused and conflicted.
As per restoration. We are a blended family now. Let's make it easy. The highest pre bk rate at Northwest + the highest pre bk rate at Delta divided by 2.
Then, adjust that figure for inflation. Simple.
That, I would say, is a fair target for DALPA. They should not be confused with the definition nor the goal.
The pilots of both airlines contributed voluntarily and through the 1113 process. The pilots concessions have been saving Delta billions since emerging in April of 2007.
We are now all overdue for a return on our investment.
Anyway, sure like your sunny and nice forecast for negotiations. That's nice. It's about actions though. What actions is DALPA prepared to take to leverage that. Is that possible with constructive engagement? I seem to recall we scored 4-8-3-3 with that
And concerning the pensions, laughable to think anyone here would even entertain that. As I recall (before your time) there was a vocal group wanting to get the pensions in our own names, like AMR.
DALPA rejected that idea in the late 90's/early 2000 time frame. Why? Their reason was that the pensions were overfunded and the need to protect was nil. The claim was there was a greater risk in having the pension in our own names than having Delta administer it.
Oh, and semantics really. You made a statement about putting the pension "back in the hands of those that terminated it."
We, as pilots and DALPA, voluntarily terminated it.
The company hastened the downfall by underfunding in the 90's and making poor investment decisions. They later did not contribute to it sometime post 9/11. Then the mass exit with lumps spiked it.
What was DALPA doing to protect it or raise concerns.
Sure would have been nice had it been frozen vs terminated.