To Nu:

Wow, pretty bitter pill there, Alfa.

I will confess we did get a pay RATE raise. I also know that we lost over 400 seniority list instructor positions (not to mention the staffing backfill that required), which all paid pretty well. And then gained well over 500 pilot positions which paid more and additional DAL N instructors.

I know a lot of guys who lost tens of THOUSANDS of dollars in sick time. Concede.

I also know that a lot of guys are still taking it in the shorts as far as DC contributions. And you kept your frozen pensions.

I know we lost time and half for everything over 80, which was a HECK of a lot more flexible than waiting in base for the phone to ring. And according to written SLI mediation record, only triggered a small fraction of monthly time, almost not even worth mentioning.

Also a lot of guys who commute are not getting green slips because they don't live in base. Which is a temporary setback for both sides.

But of course, that's a choice, right? I know we lost a great call in honest policy (which was policy, granted, but it's still gone). And got another written call in honest policy.

Personally, I'm tickled that we have people on the NC that bring a viewpoint and EXPERIENCE of working under a different system to the party. I'm really, really glad we don't have a "not invented here" kind of person, and I am sure as heck glad we didn't get any disciples of interest based bargaining, or anything that looks like it.

I think the angst your seeing in the mirror, Alfa, is that you just weren't expecting a pilot group that didn't bow down and kiss the very ground just for wearing a DAL uniform. And our feet too while you’re down there. (You asked for that one).

While the south guys have a majority, it's a slim one, and this wasn't the steamroller the Northeastern, Western or PanAM merger was. Northside guys are INVOLVED, they pay attention to what goes on, and when they have a problem, they call their reps and make noise. The reps listen to them, otherwise they aren't reps anymore. Deal with it. No argument here.

We're here because they pay us to be here, and not because of what it says on the side of the airplane (what would you call that? Delta Jet Syndrome? DJS?) Not sure what that means exactly.

"Merger of equals"...yes, I seem to remember that coming from one of the arbitrators in the transcript. It's not your ball anymore Alfa, it's OUR (as in north and south) and you need to learn to share. Touche!

Personally, I think we got a great group. I think the MEC is in a position to represent the interests of EVERYONE at DAL, and given another year for everyone to find their footing, it will be in great shape heading into 2012. I honestly believe the MEC and the NC understand what's NOT for sale.

It's time that you stop sowing YOUR "politics of personal destruction" and "hop on board the train before it leaves the station" (ahhh, turnabout is such fair play). No comment.
Nu