Originally Posted by Skywriting
The moment someone questions union judgement then they just don't know what they are talking about. Thanks for the wonderful welcome... pilots so bitter about the way managment treats them they start treating the new guys like sh*t. I'm trying to get in the pool of airline pilots too you know... and much of what I say is from the outside looking in (un-biased in many respects). It's no wonder why so many people avoid this field of work... marred by bitterness and vengence tactics.
From the outside looking in, it does not make sense to strike when an airline is already in financial trouble (so much so that it could lead to chaper 7 if it loses too much money in an instance). As far as unions protecting pay scales... why is it that regional pilots make below poverty if striking helps the situation? I don't see how destroying the company when times are bad is going to put money in your pocket when times are good. All I'm saying is that if employees hung on until the airline was making money, then they would be in a better position to petition for pay raises without bankrupting the company. I think the airline industry is the only industry in America that has this sort of mentality.
Perhaps if someone questions the union's judgement in this industry then he must be a slave to management? I never gave any praise to management in any of my comments... but I do alude to the fact that they are the ones that ALWAYS end up smelling like roses after an airline goes under. A vast majority of the airlines are run by greedy bastards who float along on hypocracy (as you note, with the management taking bonuses as front line people take pay cuts).
The whole damn system is fu*ked up... the unions have too much power and pride (and create higher costs and inefficencies for the airlines)... and management tends to give the employees the shaft every chance they get.
To Skywriting
Point 1: I don't work for Delta but these guys/gals have already given in most cases in excess of a 50% cut in Pay & Benefits last year. What did their MGT do with the billions in concessions?
Point 2. If you were currently working in the industry and had experience with collective bargining your opinions would carry some weight, however, You do not and they don't.
Point 3. The whole point of collective bargining to have a
Legal right to ask for Quid pro Quo when in discussions (negotiations) with MGT, both in Good times and the Bad. The Delta Pilots have a contract. All they are asking is for MGT to bargin...........not dictate.
Point 4 is probably the most important. If it wasn't for collective bargining in the first place (Meaning Unions) you probably would not want this Job anyway. The Delta Pilots are a professional bunch and they know what they are facing...................Why do you think 95% of them voted to strike? Do you really think 5400 hundred pilots would just arbitrarily vote to strike?..................That is their last legal method to attempt to get their MGT tp bargain in good faith..............Just like the NW Pilots were faced with a month ago.
Point 5. Unions having too much power?....Pleeeaasssse. Can unions stop Corp Exces from getting Multi Million in bonuses afer they squander Billions and running Airlines into bankruptcy? Can Unions get MGT to price their product where they can make a profit? Can unions save the corporate pension fiasco?All the Unions can say is enough is enough and that is what you are seeing presently.
Point 6. If you do get into the industry, I would love to hear your opinions after a year or so on the line. Until then, I suggest that you Sit back, watch, learn and keep your uniformed "outside looking in" opinions to a minimum................
Just one pilot's opinion who has been in the industry for 20+ years and just like many of my bretheren who post here, I've been thru negotiations x 6, paycuts after paycuts, furloughs. mergers, strikes, staring over 3 times. I am fortunate enough to currently be employed by a very profitable company. I have seen it all except for the Divorce and that is one I hope to avoid.
I for one understand what the Delta (and other Pilot groups are facing) I know they face a very tough choice. But I for one admire them and support them 100%. Who knows I may be faced with the same choice in the coming year.