Originally Posted by
tsquare
A gubbamint report issued Friday (I'll see if I can find a link) and Gordon Bethune on CNBC this morning both talk about how the regionals are having trouble finding pilots due to the low salaries. Even if they double them this afternoon, it won't fix the problem. There is a time lag, and it is not a short one. Everyone is starting to notice. This problem has no quick fix, and it isn't going away tomorrow. Probably the best business move would be to buy the regionals outright for control. (yeah I know it was tried before, but this is a little different) Then hire like crazy to get all the available pilots and run the airline a little fat for awhile until the trained pilot force can catch up. Our task would be to get those pilots on the seniority list with their airplanes. (I actually think you are saying the same thing.. sort of) I won't vote yes on any contract that pays one red cent to accomplish this however. This is a freebie to us.
Part 1:
TSquare,
The key is unity.
If we were to extend our list down to capture the ALPA member express pilots (merge them by DOH with their peers) then roll our seniority numbers down to make their jobs "Delta" jobs while closing the permissions in our Section 1 as are necessary to align the contract with reality ... the problem is instantly fixed.
Delta will never have a problem hiring pilots for Delta jobs.
Only ALPA could administer such a thing.
If you recall, we profited from a Joint Pilot Working Agreement. Lee Moak and our MEC leveraged unity for pay. We know how to do that. Instead of saying you will not give up a cent, why not make the better argument of "what can I get for this?"
If you graph pilot pay by aircraft productivity (which is how we've always done it) the RJ guys make more for less while you make less for more. I would argue that in exchange for a career with a future we probably need to shift the pay curve to the right (your end) prior to your retirement.
The benefit to the small jet (they aren't regional jets) pilot is that their flight training now leads them into a career instead of a dead end.
This is the way forward, if we can convince our leadership to capitalize on it.
There is a first mover advantage to Delta management.