Originally Posted by
Han Solo
You're not taking a bullet for the Delta pilot group, you're dodging a bullet aimed at the E9 pilots. Voting no for this (if you get to vote) helps both groups, not just 1. Doesn't it make you scratch your head that there was ZERO negotiation at your MEC level and now they want to ram-rod this down your throats without a vote?
I recognize this is a done deal at the E9 level, too many Americans will trade their future for something shiny now, I don't agree with that attitude but I accept that lack of wisdom prevails. Delta management is the typical playground bully, you don't negotiation or reason with bullies, you kick their butts. We may win or lose in arbitration but the only way Delta management learns a lesson is a good kick in the teeth, hopefully they get one in this instance.
It's far easier to say "give Delta a kick in the teeth" when you're backed by DELTA's ALPA. When you work at a wholly-owned regional with turbulent prospects of career progression, it's a big ask to stand up for an airline and a pilot group that you may never be welcomed into. We aren't trying to "trade our future for something shiny" - this flow agreement is not shiny (unless you're the top 60 pilots eligible for it); we're trying to negotiate meaningful progression without closing off avenues of
future negotiation with the only major we're capable of partnering with.
At the end of the day, the Delta MEC has plenty of firepower in the upcoming arbitration, and this "ramrod" flow may serve as a quid for DALPA to exchange for better scope in the future.