No, DFW was not larger than ATL post 9/11. That may be one of the single dumbest things I've ever read here. I mean, did that statement just manifest itself out of the ether? The rest of the rant/post wasn't much better or more factual either.

I meant pre-911, I don't have the exact numbers.

Disagree, the past four years taught me they will go out of their way to push pilots around, even lose money in the process. The big fake displacement that abrogated seniority for thousands, UNA, whats a sill, MD before VEOP, pre-signing extensions at the gate on the first leg, flying empty redeyes around the system for a year, no coffee on board due to covid; that's just naming a few. They are clutching to a leadership style (fear and intimidation) that worked for one generation and is failing miserably with X, Y and Z. Why else do you think we have an additional 1000 pilots, yet we cannot even fly 2019 block hours? NPS is in the toilet. Lastly, our competitors have opened bases in quite a few places where we were the dominant carrier, so it ain't economics- at least not RASM economics.

Over a third of the airline is based in ATL, yet they have less than 25% of the total voting reps. NYC is next biggest, and is barely half the size of ATL. Further, MSP, SLC, LAX, & SEA are less than 25% the size of ATL, yet get 50% of the representatives. IOW, each ATL rep actually have to represent, and be responsive to, 2x as many pilots as those 4 bases.

If anything, ATL needs MORE voting reps, not less.

Besides, when it comes down to a “roll call” vote, which any rep can call, it comes down to the number of constituents anyway.

It’s in the ALPA Constitution and Bylaws. If a council has more than 1000 members and is more than 25% of the airline they get two status reps for each category. Same would apply if more than 500 members and 50%.

Plus I can think of at least 3 other elections for MEC chair that was decided by one vote, so that’s hardly any kind of indicator.

Favorable taxes, sure. But have you actually looked at the cost of living in those areas? And not just anywhere, but nicer neighborhoods with an easier drive to the airport? Not as cheap as you think.

Granted, I wasn't on property yet and I don't have any numbers myself but I am still skeptical that any pilot base was ever larger than Mecca.

I doubt it was larger than ATL like the poster claimed, but I think it was bigger than CVG. So the fact they closed DFW but left CVG as a skeleton would give credit to the idea that there were other reasons at play

DAL's operation at DFW peaked at 35% of total airport traffic, just a hair under AAL when you consider there were other carriers; by 2004 it was down to 16%. When DFW was big, DAL in ATL was only A and B Concourse, and half of T or E (international moved from T to E). My point, they closed a major mid-country base to toss an MEC Chairman. Ask some of the saltier SLC pilots about DAL threatening to close SLC as well if the LEC didn't get onboard with concessions or the BK itself. The result of these actions and threats? The pilots VOTED YES to terminate their DB plan, that saved the company tens of billions going forward. You need an MEC Chair and a fearful LEC to pull off a stunt like that.