As the chairman of "Iron Chef America" would say: "Let the battle begin"

That came through clear enough.

GS...........And why I pulled my post

The company is going to do what it always does, and try to buy a union-free environment. They're going to give them as much as possible, of as little value as possible, and try to cajole them, and kiss their a$$ as much as possible.

On the F/A side the plan should be for them to sit down, get to know each other, and see if they find consenus, maybe around the idea of a third union with a better reputation, like Teamsters. What's been missing from this is mutual respect. I thought it was a pretty dumb startegic error for the smaller group to try to defer integration, and force their way through the new NMB rules, and using grievances to keep them apart. It basically alienates the larger group because it suggests that the smaller group knows better. The way they solve this is by working together, and finding consensus. Either they find the company's foreplay pleasant enough together, or they find it too phony together.

First side to actually act like they respect the other side wins.

Really? How come? Has Delta done anything to this point to earn mistrust and fear? Seriously? Fear?

What are some examples of AFA's worst fears?
Not being a smart ass - just wondering what they fear. Fear itself?

I don't know everything about their work rules.. hell I can hardly keep OURs straight. That's THEIR problem. I can tell you this though.. they aren't going to work in the galleys of an old ship. the south side FAs have pretty decent rules as far as I can tell. At least they were good enough to not want to go the AFA route.

Nah, get on there big buddy and see what happens... :D

Go on... jump in... that's all chocolate anyways you know...

I tried to express this point to one of the FAs I was having the discussion with, but was cut off in mid sentence, quite rudely as a matter of fact, and wasn't allowed to complete the sentence or thought. I attributed this to the level of alcohol she had consumed and the emotions regarding the subject. Instead of trying to "win" the point and force her to hear what I had to say I let it go in the interest of keeping things from getting unruly.

I don't think the fNWA FA's will be shell shocked. They've changed representation in the middle of a bankruptcy (raided by AFA), been 1113'd and had an Appeals Court rule that they had no right to strike. A payraise to Delta rates, the increase from a 10% to 15% profit sharing plan and lots of DAL management "love" will make the first dance a little smoother.

You're spot on with your last paragraph. AFA will appeal and there'll be some rhetoric flying for awhile. I'll just keep doing my job and try to make it work out best for all of us in my immediate sphere of influence.

Now I got ya...call in another union with a good reputation, like the Teamsters.

Really? I got punched in the face and told how it was going to be and that was it. I got along great once I was able to see out my right eye ag... oh wait, mixing topics here. That was my first day 88 ATL.

I have to agree. I almost look forward to flying with a former north guy just to hear his (or hers) stories. See what they think, learn a bit.

Now, I'm sure this happens on the north side but several times really good south FA's have made a negative comment about the north FA's. When asked I say what I saw a random Captain tell them the other day and that's been that the north FA's have been great. Very nice and easy to work with. There is kind of a shock at that statement. But it's true so it's easy to say. Everyone has been great thus far.