Originally Posted by
Carl Spackler
Here we go again. NWA pilots are "cowardly liars" and otherwise incompetent fools to be pitied.
Have you noticed that everything DALPA does is so misunderstood? LOA 19 was as much for NWA pilots as it was for DAL pilots yet nobody seems to agree with that except DAL pilots. Since NWA is so inexperienced in the business of Washington DC, DAL hires line standers to make sure NWA pilots get in - yet nobody but DAL understands. DALPA talks about how graciously they treated pilots from airlines they have merged with, yet pilots posts here telling us that when it comes to Delta pilots "DO NOT TRUST THEM!" So very misunderstood.
Here is what you guys don't seem to understand. Just because you post something from DALPA, it doesn't mean everyone else in the industry must accept it as actual fact. I know you guys do for the most part, but none of the rest of us do. Apparently you guys think that makes us cowardly liars, but the history of DALPA and mergers is one of needing to keep your eyes wide open if you are the group that is being acquired.
The big concern at NWALPA is that despite DALPA's claims of wanting to get things done as quickly as possible, DALPA really just wants the Pacific routes and as few NWA pilots as possible. That is the prevailing concern. DALPA could stop that in a heartbeat by actually pressing for agreements as opposed to "cowardly liars" name calling.
Ronald Reagan once said: "Trust, but verify" when it came to the Soviet Union. NWA pilots have been watching the feet of DALPA not listening to the words. We're waiting for DALPA to walk the walk. Since we have not seen it yet, many of us are thinking the merger should be abandoned. Continental needs Pacific routes and they are also a very healthy company. I think we need to look at another merger partner that doesn't hold us in such terribly low esteem.
Carl
Yeah, the billions that the hedge funds, bankers and lawyers are going to make will take that into consideration. One could argue it would be better to be merged into a more powerful entity than have a hedge fund buy you and then break up the pieces. DAL is No. 1 to Europe, Africa, Middle East and No. 2 to Central and South America. NWA is No. 1 in Japan and No. 2 in Asia. Yet both our market values are around $2.4 billion today. Do you not think the vultures aren't salivating over wanting to buy the whole for pennies and sell the assets for billions more? Take a look at what Icahn and the rest of them do.
They have, can and will do this at some point. NWALPA has publicly slammed DALPA at every opportunity so far. DALPA responded on this latest disparage. I'm not trying to say who is right or wrong but if you are looking for respect look in the mirror and your fellow pilots. They're the only one's who care about you. You are a cog in a wheel in a profession that long ago was given up by the public.
CAL wants nothing to do with a merger. They have publicly stated that and their board endorsed it. They do want those routes. I believe they are waiting for a CH.11 filing by UAL and then they will swoop in for the kill. I'm a bit nervous that no other carriers are pursuing the merger game. Either NWA/DAL is the best in town, or the others are realizing that the costs could outweigh the benefits. If the merger is consummated, the vitriolic relationship between NWALPA/DALPA must stop or we will kill ourselves. I still have 29 years to go and don't want to see this happen.