From my experience in a democracy gaining the support of the middle 20% is the key to victory. Most of the time the 40% on either end are entrenched and will not have their minds changed. I know this because I hold an elected office in the state I live in and have held it for nearly eight years. (Not the guy in SLC with the same name BTW). When I am campaigning I need to not only find those middle 20% folks but I need to convince them that I am not only correct in my views but also trustworthy and deserving of their support.
Here is the part where I am going to totally open my self up. I have never voted no on a contract since I was hired by Delta in 1999. I am a fairly emotional person. I wear it right out there on my sleeve. If you have ever flown with me you know how much I love flying and how much I love Delta Air Lines. You know that I have wanted to be a pilot for Delta since I was ten years old. I reached my dream via Learjet’s in South Florida, L1011’s for a company in Miami and Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong. Fulfilling my dream of being a captain for Delta happened in January of this year.
I am the guy who stands at the gate and makes the IROPS PA’s. I am the guy who stands in the doorway or jet way during deplaning and boarding. I am the guy who makes sure the cabin crew eats. I am the guy who thanks the platinum’s and the diamond HVC’s for their loyalty. I tell them thank you for buying tickets so I can pay the mortgage on my home. When I put my 13 and 11-year-old boys to bed at night they pray for Richard Anderson and his family by name. They pray for every one of you every night. They pray for your safety and that you will make good decisions no matter what. I am that guy. I do not say this to lift myself up. I say it so you know my heart and how much I love what I do for Delta.
We need to find those middle 20% and convince them that this TA is wrong. I believe it to not only be wrong from the point of view of bad representation but I believe it to be unjustified. Many people had to purposefully make the decision to bring us this TA. Those people are in one of those groups of 40%. We can defeat them if we find the middle 20%. It can be done. Just look to your left or right. They are sitting right there.
When we deliver our message about our feelings we need to lead with how much we love our jobs and how much we love Delta. If we do that people will listen. Remember if they reject you without a fair hearing they are in the 40%. Move on. Find the 20%.
If you look back in history Ronald Reagan told America how great we were at one of the lowest points in modern American history. We needed to change some things. We listened and we let him do it. He laid the foundation for defeating Communism and it changed the world. Many of you reading this letter helped him do it. Our mission, in a way, is similar. We have to tell others how great flying for Delta is all the while telling them how bad this TA is. Find the 20%, They will listen. It will work. I have done it.
I am voting no.
Tim Cosgrove
NYC73NA
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Tim Cosgrove