Originally Posted by
NuGuy
Heyas Fed,
The LOA 19 rates were concocted to manipulate the SLI process. Nothing more.
Really, a 777 paying the same as a 747-400 that seats near 100 more people? A 330-300 that pays the same as a 767-400?
All the other "speed/range/lift" BS is just eyewash. They couldn't go into the SLI with the an LOA that was wholly concocted by the fDAL side that paid more for heavy NWA metal. It would have been used as evidence in the SLI hearing, probably to great effect.
But they couldn't figure out a way to bias ALL the payrates without being too obvious, so they (correctly, IMO), biased the top end, figuring that was where the benefit was. Thus your MD-88 rates.
Thanks to that strategy, we're now stuck with those rates. I can pretty much guarantee you after 2012, the "formula" will mysteriously change to put the rates back the way they "should" be. Your 'A' shouldn't be that grumpy about it...his position on the seniority list was probably improved significantly by this strategy.
Nu
Considering DL was higher paying all the way around before LOA 19... your argument isn't all that great. And of couse there was posturing for the SLI... I remember hearing "super premium" being tossed around a lot along with a lot of other things from both sides. It's idiotic to say anything otherwise for both sides. It's done. Over. Move on!
I agree the 747-400 should probably pay a bit more than the 777, and the 319/320 should pay the same as the 737s.
Other than that, everything seems just about right as far as pay grade ranking.