So I guess we line pilots should pay extra so that the new pilot Plebe's don't have to go through what every single other Delta Pilot in history has gone through? I’m not a ladder puller, but com’on. Wow, no B scale, no FE position lasting for several years, a much higher FO rate, many going right to the 757. Hmmmm, where was that ladder again? Boo Hoo, the new hires have to pay for their initial stay in training. It would be nice if DAL paid for it, but I’m certainly not willing to negotiate for it. Call me a ladder puller if you like, but what a crock. You guys on the bottom will someday be on the top asking your righteous selves, “What was I thinking?” What a bunch of whiners.

 

It's the Golden Rule...do unto others as you would have them...etc. When they're going through initial training they're still Delta pilots on the Delta seniority list. Just because you or I got treated like crap doesn't justify continuing the cycle. The new hire coordinator, BB, initially thought those costs were covered, then was embarrassed to point out several days later that it wasn't, and it's a cheap thing to do to cash-strapped folks who are already dipping into investments due to pay cuts from training pay and first year pay.

New hires don't get to vote on contracts, so they don't get a say in how they should get treated. It behooves us to vote to treat them like family, not someone to take advantage of. I am willing to negotiate for it.

I was at the senior level in the military chain and I did not have the attitude of "screw the guys at the bottom, I got mine". I did not ask my righteous self, "what was I thinking?"

 

Takes 75.49 today to equal 36 in 1986, not really the near triple you make it out to be and with today's taxes, after tax is likely a wash.

 

Bill may be disappointed.

Those dirty old DC-9s that no-body wanted to fly went pretty darn senior in ATL.

Same for the 330. There sure were a number of "if it ain't Boeing, I ain't going" types that suddenly found it within their ability to bid it despite their previous francophobia.

Between the lack of pilots taking the early out, the parking of other aircraft, and the change in work rules, I'd be surprised if we even got back to where we were post merger, in terms of staffing and airframes.

Nu

 

Those that have been through a few contracts here know that we have improved pay for new hires at a greater rate than for the rest of the pilot group. Remember $1800/ month probation pay? One year probation period? Seven year B-scale?

Regarding "screw the guys at the bottom, I got mine": No, we didn't get ours. New hires now get a much better deal than we got, and it's because of improvements DALPA has negotiated, and the pilots have ratified.

 

Heyas Elvis,

I bet these same guys squawked about paying the assessment for the COBRA payments for the furloughed guys.

Nu

 

In Waves words, boohoo. You'll be senior someday, which is why he won't buy a new hire a beer or two. Unfortunately, most aren't like him and is why most have been more than gracious to buy during year one. I'll bet he doesnt tip his driver or chambermaid either.

 

Yep, I was there. Quite immpressive! Thank God I had at least had a few drinks at The Waterfront before hand. Made the letdown easier.

 

wow, so because things were bad for you they should be bad for everyone else? You should want to improve the profession for people coming along behind you. Sorry, ya had it rough back then, but that's not an excuse for continuing the trend. Also, we have all "paid our dues" in some way long before being at Delta. Whether it was flying in Iraq or getting your butt kicked on reserve at a regional. People that get hired here aren't "noobs".

 

We are the only legacy carrier that requires new hires to pay their own way during training as far as I know. In fact, most of the Regionals provide lodging to their new hires. Maybe back in your day it was the norm to expect guys to pay their own way, but we are way behind the rest of the industry in this. Yes, I as a line pilot would be more than willing to give a little so that our new hires (not Plebes... This is a business, not a service academy) don't have to suffer an additional financial hardship before coming to work on first year wages.

To me, this just makes Delta look cheap and corporate. To you, apparently, it's a rite of passage to become a Delta Plebe..err.. I mean new hire. Long gone are the days where pilots would do anything..everything...just to be a Delta pilot. There's plenty of other attractive offers out there, and this nickel and dime BS just makes us look less attractive to good, solid applicants.