Haven't spent much time on this thread so I don't know if this has been mentioned or not. But I've noticed that some guys (including an LEC Chairman) do not understand the definition of profit.
Profit -
The surplus remaining after total costs are deducted from total revenue, and the basis on which tax is computed and dividend is paid. It is the best known measure of success in an enterprise.
Instead of using the real definition and treatment of what profit is, some would prefer to reclassify profit as a cost. It is not a cost.
To treat our profit sharing as a cost, (i.e. to accept that language) allows one to compare total pilot compensation at Delta to other carriers total pilot cost. Apples to oranges. Instead the discussion regarding pilot costs should include just that--the cost.
What's amazing is how easily the language is accepted by those who have a big influence on our current negotiations.