[QUOTE=BlindBentBingo;1555185]Oh, and the smokescreen comment: I don't think the freeze of 1st year pay has much to do with pending arbitration/litigation at all. I think it was a calculated decision: the company knows that the new PEA will result in a significant number of pilots bailing out to greener pastures. A pilot doing so past the 1yr point really doesn't hurt them at all in a direct fiscal manner (pilot force quality is obviously a different matter). In fact, it probably helps them - they make the $50k they spend in recruiting/training a new pilot within a few years due to the pay differential.

But, I think their beancounters calculated that losing a 1yr pilot does hurt more than it helps (and based on what I know, they're losing a good number of them). This reduces that impact, plus once they get a pilot in for 13 months, enjoying a line and lots of movement below and above, they know the decision to leave is harder. Smart. Wish they'd be honest about it, though.

But it's going to make for an interesting pilot force mix - for sure, there are MANY superb pilots who will remain for tangible or intangible reasons. But, just like the military where similar programs have been in place for a while, you'll also see a rise of the "Mediocracy" - those that stay because they have few options


Nevermind I see you are in the pool for Delta.