Originally Posted by
newKnow
Why do you think people buy Delta stock? I'm not an expert and this just my opinion (thanks index
) , but to me, people buy Delta stock because we offer a superior product compared to the other airlines. Every other airline of note is in a shambles, right now. (United, American, & Southwest-- the other airlines and cargo company's aren't really our competitors.) Plus, our management team has a great reputation. I still have all of my Delta stock, because I see what goes on here everyday.
If we, the drivers -- in more ways than one -- become unhappy, it could serve as a signal to investors that things aren't so great in Deltaland and management does not want that. They have been batting near 1.000, since the merger, and it has paid dividends.
We should be seeking substantial improvements in our contract. I don't care what they other airlines are doing.
Delta is the hot play right now because we are several years ahead of everybody else in the industry. AAL will be a formidable competitor when their merger is complete because they have a very strong network. UAL, would be awesome if their management wasn't living in the 70s. They are a mess now, and probably will stay in stick shaker for quite some time. But their network is far superior to ours in Asia. (They have way too many big airplanes though) The one thing that is really helping our cause there is Smisek... one of THE worst CEOs in the country. The one I really don't get is SWA. Their growth potential is done, (they are losing 88 717s and have minimal 737s on order) the merger integration is a train wreck but their stock hits new highs almost daily. Nothing about that company is exceptional right now yet people still buy it. I'd short the hell out of it if I weren't afraid of losing my arse, because it's GOT to crash sometime....
Your last point is well taken, and I don't disagree. I truly believe we will get substantial gains in C15. But we cannot ignore what the other airlines are doing. It just doesn't work that way. UAL/AAL/SWA have got to raise the bar in some areas. We cannot go alone each and every contract patterning against ourselves. Don't you get tired of having everybody else benefit by what WE do? I still want to be the premier group, but it's time for somebody else to at least do SOMETHING.