Originally Posted by
Free Bird
That other airline (AMR) is certainly a measuring stick as to where we are at as a pilot group imo. Both of you guys (alfa + Nu) have some valid points to be considered.
Despite giving mother Delta a joint contract on a silver platter that included a ridiculous amount of 70+ seat RJ's, many of us MD 88 drivers are STILL paid almost exactly what our AMR peers make after all of our raises. Many Delta pilots that I fly with and know, feel that we left some low hanging fruit on the tree with the Joint Contract. Yes, a majority of the Delta pilots voted for the JC, there are however many that feel DALPA had leverage because of mngt's need to get the merger done and we gave that away.
There is a group of FO's that after a 5 year furlough came back to see ALPA back the age 65 rule. That alone is enough for me to at least take a look at other options when it comes to our representation. Now throw in ALPA's backing of the 500 hr rule, it's a no brainer imo, our best interest are not being represented. After what many Delta pilots have been through I don't think it should come as a surprise to anyone that many of us would consider making a change.
Not really wanting to get immersed in this colossal waste of time, but don't you think management is making this same argument within? They probably left what (in retrospect) they feel was low hanging fruit, but for both sides, Monday morning quarterbacking is fairly pointless. I know that many here want to give the company a bloody nose, but I really don't think is going to be worthwhile in this business and economic environment. The Dave Stevens/Bob Shelton type of leadership will gain us nothing...