Originally Posted by
johnso29
I'm all for pay restoration. I want it, but I've yet to see proof that DPA is more capable of providing it then ALPA is. There could be many factors that influenced APA's situation, but that's not what I asked. I asked how well the approach of coming out and asking for a 50% raise right off the bat worked? Considering the lack of progress, the clear answer is not very well.
Again, there is more to an "approach" than just the partial restoration number (50%). Speaking of approaches, try this analogy: Let's say we are flying an approach. The wind conditions are quite strong and gusty, so we add some airspeed for the approach. (Not 50% more airspeed, but work with me here.
) Let's say you end up having to go around on the approach. In other words, you are unsuccessful with that approach. Did you go around because you had too much airspeed? Don't know. Not enough information. That could have been a contributing factor to it, or it might not have been a factor at all. Maybe you experienced windshear and had to go around because of that. Maybe the aircraft ahead of you didn't get off the runway in time. The point is that there could be a number of reasons why your "approach" was unsuccessful... and it might not be what someone else who was not in the cockpit might initially think.
Originally Posted by
johnso29
I believe that management teams across the industry used BK to destroy the wages & industry leading contracts that ALPA pilot groups worked hard to establish. They did it knowing that the massive slashes were not necessary, but didn't care. It was despicable, but what could ALPA do? And who really accepted the contracts? The NC doesn't vote the contract in, & we all know that.
I also believe that we deserve restoration for making this merger work, & I don't believe the stock we received is anywhere near compensation for what we as a pilot group have done. We have come together through are differences & disagreements to make this work. We done it without hostility. As a matter of fact, in my experience it's been the opposite. I've watched us show each other around bases we are unfamiliar with, have friendly conversations on jumpseats, & buy each other coffee just to say welcome.
Can't disagree with any of that!
Originally Posted by
johnso29
Bottom line, I want restoration. However, I'm not convinced going for it all at once is the best approach.
Who suggested that? Okay, nevermind, I know I've seen a few folks advocate that but unless things really start going gangbusters I don't see that happening. ACL had a pretty good suggestion. I would view this as a minimally acceptable agreement on pay, not as a starting point for negotiations. He suggested 30-5-5-5-5% for a 5-year contract. That results in a 58% increase (partial restoration) over the life of the contract and should be affordable to Delta. I think most of us want to be reasonable. The problem is that you cannot dig out of an extremely unreasonable hole with increases that would be considered reasonable under normal circumstances. These are not normal circumstances!
Originally Posted by
johnso29
I'm not convinced DPA is our best option. I'm not sold on DPA. ALPA is currently working hard to get contract improvements through LOA's. Notice the latest LOA's. More are being worked on. There is a plan in place. When our government is broke, we as a nation don't throw it out. We change it with in. ALPA works the same way.
But since it's likely you disagree with me, then please tell me how DPA will negotiate us C2K plus inflation. How will they succeed in it? Just march in & pound fists screaming until it gets done? It's not going to work. That's not how DAL pilots got to the C2K contract to begin with, & that's not how we will get there now. DPA will put as minor league rookies in a major league game.
I don't think anyone has advocated that we "march in & pound fists screaming until it gets done." I don't have all the nuts and bolts of a plan to get C2K plus inflation, and I haven't seen any specifics from either ALPA or DPA. I'm not even sure if that can quite be accomplished. What I do know is that we are extremely unlikely to achieve restoration or anything near it if we do not set our sights on it as our goal.
What is ALPA's plan to achieve this? I haven't seen anything other than "proactive engagement" (which has basically gotten us COLA's to our BK/emergency rates so far) and a lot of talk about how large percentage increases (the kind that would be mathematically required to achieve restoration) are "unrealistic" and "unreasonable."
What it comes down to me is this. I'd rather go with someone who is actually trying, rather than someone who is obviously not. If DALPA wants support from folks like me who expect this career to be put back on its tracks, they better start showing that this is their objective. Otherwise, by default, I'll vote to press on with DPA in a heartbeat.