That's why the AE seems odd. Why even have it without the 757 displacements that will be needed to fill those positions....like the Aug/Sept AE will do? Or as I've been calling them, ADs.

Is there a contractual obligation for the company to offer up positions before hiring gets a shot?

My God man, you're becoming obsessed with this! :D

We all should be. What we have now is stoopid.

Either that or guys should shut up about 757s being replaced by 737-900s or A321s. If you are happy with the current method of payment, down-gauging equipment shouldn't bother you either.

I have a bigger problem with a new hire making less money flying an MD-88 than I make flying the exact same aircraft. Longevity should not even be in the equation anymore. It handcuffs us to our particular airline thus reducing our leverage to the point that we are willing to take ridiculous pay cuts to avoid starting over at year 1.

Down-gauging relative seniority due to a merger concerns me a little bit more.

One can be fixed on the next contract. (Pay.)

The other last an entire career. (SLI)

I get that to a point. However, what would your proposal be to reward those that have been here awhile? Do you really believe that a newhire should make the same coin as a guy that has been here 25 years? If you are using that as justification to keep the bigger pays more mantra, how do you propose luring quality newbies to DAL? UAL has 3 times the number of super premium flying we have, and retirements/growth going forward will blow ours out of the water. It's mostly -not all- about the Benjamins once you are in the door, and if a new guy is gonna spend 12 years in a super premium acft vs 3... how can you sell that?

I agree. That one is a toughie. Especially if it is a company that only flies a single type aircraft that is low in our fleet. (Not to worry though, with all the orders, it is rapidly becoming one of the largest fleets). ;)

I believe the new hire should make the same as the guy that has been here 25 years if they are both in the same category. They are doing the exact same job. We are more than experienced by the time we get here. I never believed in a pilot starting over every time he/she switches jobs. That is unique to our industry. It keeps wages down and keeps us desperate to making sure our company survives. I believe the 25 year guy is rewarded enough with everything else seniority related (vacation, schedule, etc.). I am not sure I will ever fly the bigger metal. I just don't think longevity pay is the answer. It is not my job to worry about pilot retention. If the pay rises enough, quality applicants will apply. You and I both know the pilot shortage is a farce.

The 737-900's will be ok, but they aren't 757/767's, that's for sure. :rolleyes:

We'll have to agree to disagree. I can't think of any job where a newbie makes the same as a more experienced guy except sports, but that doesn't count. Interesting that you believe you won't fly the bigger metal. What if management bought 50 777s? Would you then? Why do we insist on those handcuffs?