Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
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.
This is a huge point. Just because those that are currently here had to "pay our dues" doesn't mean that we should let the future pilots languish for years with no hope in sight.
What you're outlining, BB, is a win-win-win for regional pilots, us, and Delta. Now how to get all parties to agree on something like that is a completely different story.