Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
Well that's the hard part, isn't it? It's always easier said than done. Here are some things that I think are important in developing a strategy for full restoration:
1. We have to make the case that our profession is now being compensated at grossly inappropriate levels and that it will ultimately affect safety. You simply cannot pay 1/2 for something and expect to continue to get the same quality. IMO, our profession is currently coasting on the caliber of individuals who are already in the profession. While there are certainly some exceptions, I can't imagine that the quality (in general) of individuals who are just now deciding to pursue a career as an airline pilot could be anywhere near the quality of what this profession has typically attracted. If this was brought to the attention of the traveling public and public officials, I think there would be a groundswell of support for us in our negotiations instead of the bad press we always get. Just look at the traction all the Colgan stories got a few months ago. But this isn't something that can be done halfway. It's going to require a commitment of some serious resources and effort.
2. We have to make it clear (especially to management) that our expectations are for full restoration and that we are intensely focused on that as our objective. Right now, I believe management has no expectation of anything like restoration for our pilot group. I also believe our strategy over the past few years has helped them to have that expectation and even lowered the expectations of many in our pilot group.
I'm not an expert on strategy or negotiations. I'm sure it's more complicated and there are more things that need to be done than what I wrote above. I only submit that as a starting point. The one thing I know for sure is that, if we do not set high goals, we will not make any kind of significant progress towards restoration. It sounds to me like you've basically given up on restoration and resigned yourself to the idea that this profession is just always going to be worth substantially less than it traditionally has been. You're certainly entitled to think about it any way you want. I'm just not willing to give up on it that easily.
I beleive that they are well aware of what we want. I am sure we will make that clear as well.
The issue as stated in the investor call with Apry a few days ago is simple. They are stalling their talks with APA to see where the new cost line is draw as it pertains to CAL and then us. They do not want their pilots too far out ahead of the rest of the pack. It goes back to the theory of "Jacking the house up" that has been used since the first days of ALPA. No airline is going to be willing to do what we want or demand, or what ALPA or CAL is demanding until each other sees that at least one other airline is willing to sign on the line.
Using that logic is what got us C2K. (UAL +1%) If CAL has a significant gain which I beleive they may, and APA jumps above that, our talks may bear the fruit that would be lush and nice; a C2K+. If they settle for DAL+one dollar it is going to be increasingly difficult to get anywhere near that. It all comes down to where the costs for the industry are when we open.
I know you know this. Yes, we want our return on our investment back. We want better scheduling, pay, work rules et al. No kidding. What we are able to gain depends on CAL and UAL. If they can improve on our current PWA, then the may be a logical next step to exactly what you, I and 12200 other Delta pilots want.
I say pressure all of your CAL buddies to get a great contract that is signed NLT 12.31.2010, and APA to sign an improvement on that NLT 12.31.2011. If that happens, we stand a much better chance.
I want what you want, but realize that a few pieces need to come in to play. Not Airline CEO is going to put pilot costs in the area that would be do 1.5-2 times what its competitors have. That is just the pita reality.