Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
Just explaining the "why."
There are two ways to get to a merger. First, is when an airline's management wants a merger for their business. Second, when the workers force the matter.
In the second case, at Delta, the Delta Pilot Working Agreement with management stipuates that if the Company acquires an airline which operates aircraft above the limit of permitted aircraft (over 76 seats) then management has agreed to a merger.
The other way to force a merger would be to ask the National Mediation Board to find that the acquired carrier is part of a single transportation system and that the employees are part of the same craft and class for representation. The reason why Compass was unceremoniously kicked out of the Delta representational structure was to help define those small jet pilots outside of the "craft and class" of Delta pilots. ALPA has worked to define permitted flying as no longer Delta flying, performed by Delta pilots, so as to avoid a merger.
To be clear I am not and never have been in favor of a merged seniority between a major and regional. However, it seems like ALPA and mainline like to always look for ways to or by any means possible to not allow regional pilots to have equal treatment. Would ALPA work so hard to "define those small jet pilots" if more money was on the table on the regional side? I can only feel that the only true reason ALPA works so hard to find those definitions is if it did not there would more then likely be a revolt at Delta and ALPA would get voted out and Delta pilots would go their own way.
It is obvious I am not a threat to any mainline pilot, his position or job and never want to be but in this current environment I do feel mainline are a threat to regionals almost as much as cabotage is. Regardless BB, I appreciate your insight and intelligent replies!