DAL 88 Driver

Thanks, Check. $158.61 in 1992 translates to $259.18 in 2012 adjusted for inflation. That compares with our 1986 rate of $135.53, which adjusts for inflation to $280.13 in 2012. So... the 1986 buying power is reduced by 7.5% in 1992. Based on those two points, Pineapple's graph would show a slight decline in buying power... possibly due at least in part to the lingering effects of deregulation as he claims. The only problem is that there is a BIG difference between -7.5% over 6 years and -42% over 2 years. Assuming the graph shows a decline of 7.5% every 6 years or so from 1960 to 1999, then it would look about like I theorized... It would show a slightly declining line overall, with a moderate spike downward in 1996 and a moderate spike upward in 2000 followed by an unprecedented fall off the proverbial cliff about 5 years ago.

Bottom line, though. I can live with $280.13/hr or $259.18/hr. Those numbers get this job back in the ballpark of where I reasonably expected it to be at this point in my career. The first one ($280.13) requires a 67% increase from our current contract 2012 rates. The second one ($259.18) requires a 55% increase.