They are the biggest numbers, but still HALF of the margins that DAL was earning when C2K was negotiated.

If DAL Inc. starts hitting $3.6 billion a year in profits without increasing the size of the company, the PS pool would be roughly $470 mill, and the pilot share would then be $178.6m, or about $14,880 per pilot (averaged).

If DAL continues to be ahead of the game and making smart moves, I can see that level of profit right about the time we are in C2015 negotiations, and when companies are making big money they sign better contracts with their pilots.......

 

This is what I used to think. Not any more.

 

Stand up in the cockpit, spread your arms out, lean forward and say: "I can fly."

 

I don't have the annual reports in front of me, but I believe the most money Delta ever made, was in about 2000-2001, about $1.2 Billlion, for the year.

We just made 1.04Billion in a QUARTER, adjusted to $764 Million, but still, that's for a Quarter.

Now, I know Delta, due to the merger is bigger now, but in 2001, the day before 9-11, we had over 10,400 pillots on just the south list, which is only about 1,200 fewer than we have today, after merging with the 5,000+ NW pilots.

So, if you say Delta had a larger margin, in 2001, I'm sure they did, they also had less debt.

BUT...the fact is, Delta is making a bunch of money today, and we settled quickly for 4,8,3,3. What makes you think we will get more than that in 2015, regardless of Delta's income?

 

Our system functions exactly like SW system only better. Why would we want to downgrade. They can pick up time to FAR maximums at straight pay. The same as our WS except we have a cap that limits how much you can pick up and saves jobs. If SW runs out of volunteers at straight rates they pay 1.5 times pay for pickups. At Delta when we run out of WS's we get paid double pay for picked up flying. Really stupid to reduce that to time and half or eliminate the cap for WS's. Our system is superior in every aspect as far as overtime.

 

Yes. In "hard numbers" DAL is making lots of cash, but the debt load is much higher now than it was then and also the airline was about 55% of the current size. The profits would have to DOUBLE to see a relative profit to what DAL had then.

You are correct the debt load needs to be reduced also to get rid of the interest expense, so maybe it would need to double PLUS another amount on top of that to be able to provide the environment for a C2K like contract.

Also "United +" was extremely helpful for C2K..... How's that working out for us right now? Ugh, and I don't see them being too helpful going forward....

 

Timbo, I agree completely. But I think guys maxing out their time is also a function of the times we live in. There are months I drop a lot and there are months when I'm compelled to max out for financial reasons. I, too, live in an older home, small, with three kids. I honestly don't know how junior FOs live in Southern California without a military retirement and book royalties. Sure, most commute (as do most CAs) but I don't think most guys WANT to fly to the max. There are a few that I know of but not most. With the pay cuts and benefit cuts we took, most of us have to fly our ass off to make ends meet. I relish the day when airline pilots are, again, compensated for the responsibilities we have. When we can, again, make more than the ATC guys we're chatting with. Then we wouldn't have any guys hitting the max limit by choice.

 

Yeahbut...after 6 years of less than one landing per month it'll be more like...

"I used to know how to fly!"

Now I can eat and sleep with the best of them, even in a crosswind or 300RVR!

"It's looking a bit sporty out there, pass the breadsticks please, George has really got his hands full, I hope he doesn't screw it up...what? No cognac? Dammit Man!"

 

Add 4% to the 2015 rates 6 months prior to the amendable date and then add 8.5% at the amendable date and 3%, 3% in 2016 and 2017. I'm making $113 an hour now. In just over 4 years from I'd be at $156 an hour.

 

You have chosen...wisely.