Originally Posted by
OOfff
you’re missing the part where loss of employee goodwill might make that savings a negative number. If 2000 VLOAs at under $6k a month don’t get taken for a single month (vice multiple months for the $10m savings number) because “screw you the pilots get paid leave,” the $10m savings is suddenly a cost item.
you’re missing the part where most of the VLOAs will receive unemployment compensation that covers the bulk of lost earnings or that were part time employees who are here for the benefits more than the paycheck. Delta even fills out the unemployment paperwork for employees taking leave. If pilots could get unemployment benefits that covered most of their pay, many would be out on leave too. Management is intentionally sending a misleading message so the pilot group will help save buybacks.
We have learned our lesson. Also, a big thanks to management for uniting the pilot group more effectively than any MEC could ever dream of.