I guess I would disagree with the basic premise of your first post. I do think that Delta is generating sufficient revenue to replace their fleet. Remember that profit/loss includes over $1 B per year in depreciation. Depreciation is a non cash charge, and generally a healthy company will have CAPEX at or above the depreciation in order to stay healthy. Delta right now is generating free cash flow enough to invest heavily in upgrading the fleet and pay down debt. That will extend the life of our current jets and also set us up for a few years down the road when we need to start replacing jets. Remember, they don't all wear out in one year, replacing the 757/MD fleets will be a looooong process. Those MD-90's will be here long after I retire.

The purpose of ALPA supporting and facilitating this merger was that we wanted a stronger company that could afford to stay in business AND pay their employees well. We also saw that a defragmented industry would eliminate some of the blood throat competition and market segmentation that led to rise of the RJ. Guess what, Delta and Northwest don't have to compete with each other anymore. A more rational industry, with fewer players will lead to more and more mainline flying.

You have a right to be concerned about scope and it will be a hot topic for sure amongst the MEC. I just think the pendulum is naturally swinging the other way now because the industry has changed. I have said before that labor negotiations can't ignore the economics of the industry and the company, but Delta is in pretty good shape right now and getting better. I am hopeful for your future.

My point is that there's no correlation between the two.

That being said, I agree that we're woefully under-compensated for the level of knowledge and responsibility that our job requires.

Thanks and hope you are right.

My only point was / is, that there is more to this contract that just pay rates and that c2k is not the best measure for c12K.

Good point ... .

Good discussion, and I agree with the above. That said we always have to plan for the next downturn -if the RJ cows are now returning to the barn let's make damn sure we close the door once they are back in.

I have heard the discussion that why expend any negotiating capitol on something we already have - except we only have it because of the referenced economic pendulum, which by it's nature will swing again. Like selling stocks at the right time, it's about locking in gains, not just saying my portfolio is worth X today........

(not contradicting your post, in fact I like the idea of closing the barn door when a cow wonders in)

Depends on if you see "unity" as negotiating capital.

All Delta flying done by Delta pilots = unity. As a union, that should be our default position. We should desire to represent all of Delta's pilot labor. It should be a political and ethical statement in addition to a litmus test for our actions in union governance.

It should also be our table position. ... If management comes to the table with 130 seats and we come to the table with status quo, the natural inclination of mediators is going to be a split up the middle, favoring management. If we come to the table with zero seats and concede to status quo after a lot of tears shed about the members getting abandoned under enemy fire, we'll end up in a position which is closer to our idea. ... and let us not forget status quo on section 1 was a whole series of concessions! We've still got a bankruptcy Section 1.

I don't pretend Continental and United are serious about a position which would cut off their feed and kill their company. What they need is a reexamination and rationalization of their scope sections. They are trying to do this via their JPWA negotiations. I say good on 'em.

Bar for President, Chairman, and whatever else he wants! HEAR HEAR!

Got news for ya.. you are on an anonymous web board. All you write here is opinion and conjecture. Nothing more. You have no more "real" credibility than anyone else.. unless of course you come out and tell us who you really are.. then... maybe....

I hear that now and again :)

Be sure to tip the waitress ya'll

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