Originally Posted by
Splash
In an effort to keep this in the context of the thread, the FACT is that none of our peers have managed even that much in this environment. So it is a FACT that Lee Moak and his strategy were the most successful...based on your data. The independent group supported by the advisors and law firm the DPA is using (USAPA) has failed to even keep pace.
The difference is negligible in the grand scheme of things. They are still far below the buying power this profession has typically provided and the expectations that they all had getting into this career... and so are we.
Don't get me wrong. I'll take whatever we can get. Nothing wrong with that, and I'm glad we got it! What I have a problem with is the lack of focus on getting back to where both you and I (and probably just about every other pilot at this airline except Satchip) think we should be.
Originally Posted by
Splash
I guess we heard his comments differently. I've never heard or read him state that we should be satisfied with where we are. His Sept 23rd Chairman's Letter stated, "To be clear, much work remains, and while everyone on the MEC and within the extended committee structure is working hard to carry out the work of the Delta pilots, we recognize we can and must constantly look for ways to improve." A message suggesting "satisfaction" might have stated, "We made it!" or "Mission Accomplished!" I heard Lee speak in NRT last year, and his message and tone were the exact opposite of satisfaction with the status quo.
While he may have never come out and said we are "satisfied with where we are", his lack of any intensity or focus on restoration in any of his statements or actions could easily be interpreted that way. Just the simple fact that there was no effort whatsoever to advocate that we should be made at least partially whole after the company came out of bankruptcy says an awful lot. Saying things like "much work remains" and "constantly look for ways to improve" is a far cry from clearly stating what we intend to accomplish and showing the kind of visionary leadership that is necessary to rally the pilot group around this monumental objective.
Originally Posted by
Splash
Regarding your reference to "buying power", where would you rank straight compensation among all of the contractual issues ALPA has and will address? Would you rank it higher than protection from international alliance partners taking our flying? Does the AF/KLM joint venture agreement that guarantees us the lion's share of transAtlantic flying look like a "win" or "loss" when you compare it to United's incursion by Aer Lingus, or American's requirement to shed 3 LHR routes (to us!) to consummate their alliance with British Airways?
I'd like to read you opinions on those too.
My input will be that "buying power" (compensation), scope, and retirement are the key issues. I'm looking for restoration of at least most of the value of our careers in terms of compensation. I'm looking to at the very least hold the line on scope and, preferably (much preferably) to actually take as much as possible of our flying back. Delta pilots should be flying Delta customers. Period. And given the significant loss of pension benefits that all of us have experienced, I expect the company contribution to be increased in our DC Plan and DPSP to help compensate for this devastating loss. And, no, I don't expect to give up anything to get any of this! We did all the giving (way more than was appropriate) several years ago.
Originally Posted by
Splash
And yet his "tone", "strategy" and actions have yielded better results than the others. So the message I can infer from DPA supporters upset with ALPA's performance is that actual success isn't as important as tone and shouting our expectations?
As much as you might like to characterize it as "chest thumping", "holding your breath", "stomping your feet", "acting like a child", etc.... that's not what I'm looking for. I'm looking for an MEC Chairman and an MEC that's not afraid to state that our objective is to restore this profession and our careers. I want them to make it clear to all concerned (in a professional and firm way) that this is absolutely imperative... that failure to do this is simply not an option with our pilot group. What we've had to this point is IMO weak leadership that has left our intentions wide open to interpretation... someone who is more interested in playing politics and keeping management happy than he is in getting management to do what is right. As I've said numerous times before... We've been out of bankruptcy for several years now. The emergency is long over! There is absolutely no reason that our pay could not begin to be restored
now. ALPA should have been clearly advocating this with the company since the day we came out of bankruptcy. And the volume should have been turned up even more the minute Delta began to post record profits. And if they say, "a contract is a contract"... well then we'll know where we stand in this "relationship" we've worked so hard to build.
To answer your question more directly. Yes, tone and
setting expectations are extremely important.