Originally Posted by Carl Spackler (Post 985561)

Absolutely correct. My hope is that CAPA sues the NMB (which is really suing the White House) over their obvious abuse of power.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid (Post 985642)

Maybe you should stick around and learn a thing or two here? :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by TANSTAAFL (Post 985616)

Slow, Alpha, and few others here are not the MEC. Your elected Reps are, and the ones providing direction on contract negotiations. Some of those in positions such as MEC Chairman, Negotiating Ch, SPC Ch, etc. have opinions and provide suggestions, however at the end of the day the responsibility and authority lie squarely with the LEC Reps. If you don't like the direction your MEC is going it because a majority of Reps have endorsed that direction. I agree with your last paragraph.

Originally Posted by Ragtop Day (Post 985407)

I don't post here much, but I do keep up with the threads and this latest round of discussion has brought to light an issue that I think the ALPA structure needs to understand. I don't really care if we have the #1 ranked payrate or the #50 ranked payrate. I can look at my paystub every two weeks and figure out that it is not near enough. I can also look at my timecard and figure out that I worked too many days for that money.

I, as well as the people I fly with, are ready to see some MAJOR improvements to our total compensation package, scope and work rules. While I do not want to go as far to say that ALPA will not aggressively fight for restoration, I will say that I am concerned. The official communications from our MEC does not give me confidence. I want my union to state unequivocally that they expect our next contract to compensate us in a way that is comparable to the value of our profession before bankruptcy. I want to know that ALPA thinks that all Delta passengers should be flown by Delta pilots. I want to know that ALPA thinks that some aspects of our scheduling section need solid improvements.

Instead I get an impression that in 2012 ALPA will be content with a slightly revised version of our current agreement with a small pay increase tossed in (much like the JCBA). While this may not be correct, it is the impression that is rampent among the line pilots. If it is not the case, DALPA needs to seriously revise the content and methods of their communications. While I don't think that we need to rise to the level of militant and confrontational tactics with management, the union can say that we expect more--much more. I want the DALPA MEC to state that and I want DALPA MEC to continually state that.

When the next TA is presented to the membership, I will first look at section 1. If it does not show tightened language and improvements--No vote. I will then look at payrates/compenstation. If the package will not result in compensation of SWA/FDX/UPS+ (for an average month, not scenarios that require green/white/yellow slipping, etc.)--No vote. Third I will look at scheduling. Without major improvements--No vote. If the TA passes those three tests I will then look over the other sections and determine if it is acceptable. When the company sits across the table to exchange openers, I want them to know that we have 12,000 pilots that will vote this way and a union that will not present them with anything less.

I hope that AA/UCAL can get the improvements they want, but I do not want them to be a barometer of what we can gain. I want DALPA to respond to OUR needs. If they succeed it will make our fight easier, but it is looking increasingly more likely they both may still be unresolved by the time we open. I want DALPA to have a solid plan to restore our contract independent of what other groups are doing. In addition, if we settle for less we undercut their ability to get substantial gains.

If it sounds like I am afraid, thats because I am. I am afraid that the union I employ to protect my interests will try to sell us a contract for less than I am worth. I am afraid that my union will continue to allow more of our flying to be outsourced. All of this in the name of good relations with the company. There is a fine line the union must balance between "constructive engagement" and old fashioned union screaming and stomping. Right now ALPA seems to have too much engagement and not enough noise being made over issues that are important to us. The pilots feel disenfranchised because we have not seen any major improvements and ALPA seems content to continue down this path. I know someone will point out LOA 19 and the JCBA as improvements and my answer is that is not nearly enough. When our buying power and quality of life is back to where it was a decade ago--that will be enough.

Sorry about the rant, but we as a pilot group need to be sure that the union we hire to represent us measures gains by the assigning an acceptable value to our profession, not merely by our ranking within our peers. Slowplay, I do not mean to single out your post, it just seems that we are becoming focused on the wrong issues. I do value your opinion and am glad that we have people on this board to represent all sides of the issues. Lets figure out how to combine this energy and provide the best results possible for this pilot group.

Originally Posted by hockeypilot44 (Post 985415)

I have never credited 87 hours in one month post merger. As a reserve, it is almost impossible without rolling thunder. 83 hours is my highest. I have yet to break 70 hours this year. I take that back. I was getting 72:40 waiting for training. I had to take a pay cut now that I'm on the line.

Originally Posted by firstmob (Post 985510)

Why are we not flying HNL-ICN/MNL
etc?

Originally Posted by bigdaddie (Post 985571)

Yo Carl,
We need to discuss this. Are you going to be in NRT any of these days:

Apr 30, May 04, May 06

BD

Originally Posted by forgot to bid (Post 985527)

So I've been thinking...

http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1303784255

A couple of things:

1. I said "minimum",
2. Southwest Airlines says 717 pay will be 737 pay, keep that in mind, because what do we have that equals the DC9-30 also known as a 717? Nothing. We do have the larger DC9-50. So we'll make DC9-50 pay = Southwest pay.
3. I am assuming that DALPA is good enough, especially with ALPA helping, to get us what SWAPA is able to get their pilots,
4. I am assuming that Delta is as well run as Southwest such that it too can afford to pay Delta pilots what Southwest pays their pilots for equal work,
5. So what then will pay be? Well here is 2011 pay adjusted to SWA pay and I'm sure 2012 will be better:

http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/a...g?t=1303784208