Who's side are you on here? Seriously? Are you on the pilot side or management's side? The first thing you have to learn in a negotiation is that there are two sides to the table.

Awesome post. I agree with everything within - even the part about agreeing with PD :p

So how about a different topic since Timbo and Sink have said just about all there is that needs to be said on this one:

How junior will NYC A go on this AE? Any takers on 11,000? 2014 hire?

What was it 10,700 the last bid? I'd say it could easily hit 11,000 on this bid. What's the number of the senior 2014 hire?

11,2XX. It could easily happen.

I have to totally agree as well. Once a QOL item is negotiated away, it never returns. Many of the things that made this a great career are gone. Those things were in contracts to alleviate the beat down that doing this for a living can put on you over the long term. We need to be very careful about any further lifestyle erosion. Good luck to 112XX.

What is it with LCAs and SIM instructors constantly selling managements theory that we use too much sick leave? Everyone I have on the jumpseat or in theirs is spewing this.

Well, I say we use the least. And until someone provides some fully transparent data I'm just as right as anyone else.

Start telling everyone you know that we use the least.

When asked what the company wanted, RA started with removing inefficiencies from the contract. The first (maybe only) inefficiency mentioned was FOs bidding w/LCAs.

So I'd guess that DAL will be asking DALPA amend that portion of the contract. We all know that DALPA will be happy to throw that small bone the company's way. DALPA isn't going to fight for something that affects a tiny number of pilots. DALPA will give it up with a few other tiny inefficiences, negotiate a new sick leave bank, and agree on industry leading pay rates. We'll be voting this fall.

The script is pretty well written and rehersals are in full swing. If you want a see a different play, I'd be calling the writers, director, and producer now. But I'd say it is too late. Done deal. JMO

It won't work. I felt like you do. Then I saw the data. I came away going "No wonder the company is ****ed about sick leave." The stats are damning. And surprizing. I was very irritated that I had to sit in a sick leave abuse briefing and I came out the other side realizing I was wrong. We've got some guys impressively abusing the sick leave benefits. And the worst abusing categories are younger FO's and anyone over 64.

Your post confuses me. We lost staying home on IOE's in the 1113 contract. DALPA fought to get it back and succeeded. When we got it back this web board gave DALPA zero credit and said it was of little or no value. Now with the mere mention of it going away it's suddenly has huge value!