Originally Posted by Sink r8

I think this is one of the best, and most illustrative posts Jerry has ever made. It's breath-taking in its' candor and honesty.

Translation: we're only trying to get the tip in, but the pilots keep squirming away.

If you're not about to retire REAL SOON, you need to really, really pay attention. I believe a lot of this battle has nothing to do with a TA that benefits all, but a shift of wealth from everyone, to those about to retire.

Imagine if you will a few debt-ridden elderly pilots in power, almost complete power, but still slightly encumbered by the process, and serving on a MEC where some of the people are trying to do the will of the group.

For these men, the will of the group is an obstacle, not a goal.

They know that anything we get will be of a defined total value. They know very well that the vast majority wants a DC plan, and DC increases, as Jerry admitted. This is a problem. Getting their fair share is not sufficient: they need more. The only vehicle to getting away with a bunch now, is to try to convince everyone they'll get a lot later, and placate them long enough to be under the first group protected by the PBGC.

This entire group knows full well that a DB plan is an absurdity. It isn't just a weak promise, but hostage we can't afford to lose. It's a story that's already ended very badly, an epic nightmare that these men want to re-package as a fairy tale.

A DB plan would be a monstrously expensive adventure. As one of the 12 explained to me, it would cost billions (like 5). Very sensibly, he said that if he could get billions, he would want to distribute it as DC, then pay.

From what I hear, Jerry is right that some in the MEC had to artificially force more DB propaganda into the polling, because it contradicts the survey. No matter how hard they try, the Delta pilots see right through the manipulations, and ask for a retirement plan in their own name. This infuriates Jerry, and those he works with, but here it is: the Delta pilots keep asking for what makes the most sense for them: a retirement in their own name.

Jerry let out a bit too much than he should have, I think, but he's doing everyone a service. We're getting a glimpse of the future, and the future is actually the past: this POS 96 in the making.

...

To be VERY clear, I'm not painting the older pilot demographics in a particular way. I think most guys are sincere and honorable in their intentions. I'm talking about what I think is a huge factor behind the current MEC dysfunction. Between the guys just trying to kill the union, the guy trying to kill a deal over RJ's at any cost, and the "targeted retirement" guys trying to kill a deal until we're desperate enough for a quick cram-down of POS 96, it's difficult to get the Delta pilots' interests represented at the table.