Originally Posted by TheManager

Thanks Slowplay for supporting my argument.

It is correct that they were in better shape 1996 -2000, not by much though.

However, when you take the economy into context, it can be argued they are doing much better now.

Delta left BK protection in April of 2007. The Great Recession began with the housing bubble bursting at the same time of their exit. The bottom of the Great Recession was in 2009 and the recovery since has been weak with erratic job growth.

Several weeks ago, Larry Summers, former Treasury Secretary stated that the U.S. is in a "secular stagnation" or a persistent state in which a depressed economy is the norm with episodes of full employment scarce.

Through the good stewardship of Richard Anderson, the unbundling of fees, and the massive pilot concessions in the form of significant work rule changes, pay nearly slashed in half, and voluntary terminations of our pensions, Delta has excelled.

Delta, during this difficult economic environment, has posted increasingly better numbers ever since their exit. Presently, their performance is nearing record levels again.

I am very leased that we are all employed at a financial stable company.

Tomorrow, Steve Dixon proclaimed in his communication to us, that they are expecting the single largest day in revenue earned in the history of Delta Air Lines.

HOWEVER, I refuse to be managements cash machine ever again. It is their job to manage fuel cost and to predict and respond to the volatility it has on the economy. My family is part of that larger economy that is effected by those prices as well. We as pilots should NEVER AGAIN allow givebacks in pay or work rules or except less compensation for our services in section six negotiations over issues of the business environment or economy.

It is YOUR job Slowplay to fight for the pilots as our representatives to management. Instead, our MEC has been actively managing our expectations down since 2007. We are tired of all the bull $h!t quibbling coming from you and ACL over the definition of restoration and why you can't negotiate for it, or, how many cycles it will take, or the quality of profitability of Delta.

How about this.

I don't care anymore about restoring our pay to C2K or 2004 levels.



Instead, since our pay is presently EVEN BELOW that of the notorious P O S 96 concessionary contract, how about we lower the bar for you all to make it EASIER for DALPA SINCE restoration to C2K is too hard for our MEC to deliver.

We should except nothing less in C15.

767-300 January 1, 2000 rate (POS96): $203.25
Adjusted to inflation in 2015: $284.82

767-300 January 1, 2015 rate (C2012): $226.21

That is a 21% pay CUT in buying power from POS96.



And before all the enablers and apologists chime in with the, "well, what are you going to do about it-burn down the house-pitch fork mentality" I will state this:

First, there is more DALPA could be doing. It goes against Moak and his disciples methodology of proactive and constructive engagement.

Get back to representing us and our interests such as being able to keep our families up with inflation.

Start looking at what is good business for us as pilots and acting on it. We can join hands with management and sing in harmony on the issues that effect us both such as IM/EX Bank & Customs pre clearance facilities.

But, instead of managing our expectations, MANAGE THEIRS!