I think we have all forgotten this concept------>We need to work less and get paid more, not fly more to get paid what we use to get paid. It would be DAL mngmts' dream come true if we had SWAs' contract. Those dudes pick up flying like they are starving. Dont get me wrong, I like to fly an airplane but not over 70 hours a month.

Ten

Give it a rest. I was trying to make a point that the SWA pilots get paid over 1000 hours a year at a much higher rate. I do fly a lot, but not by choice. I'd much rather fly less but be paid what I am worth, which is more.

I was given two 4 day assignments that year but also had a few GS's.

I was however the pilot who tried to get a resolution passed to forgo one of the 4 percent raises and have it as assessment to pay each furloughed pilot 3000 a month. I got more angry letters over that then any other thing I ever suggested. One pilot who still posts on the Dalpa forum all the time about how much he supported the furloughed pilots sent me a email telling me to stay out of his wallet!
I was also the pilot who put his job on the line and got personal time with both Ron Allen and Harry Algiers after sending management letters calling their actions despicable in the first round of furloughs and telling them I would prefer ALPA again assessed the 5 percent cut they were demanding to pay the furloughed guys full pay back then. I must have missed you standing there with me having those discussions!!

I am on the side of making sure we get the largest raises possible and the highest possible quality of life for me and my family while also taking care of the junior pilots. If we could by magic get the NMB to release us at the amendable date we could force the company into a contract that would be the envy of every pilot in the world. It would be great for me. I suspect the bottom quarter of the seniority list would not like it much when the airline could no long compete to add flying and starting losing it rapidly.
Most pilots posting here are clueless about the contract process and what is involved. One of the things is costing. You have to use accurate numbers or you lose credibility. That will be critical with the NMB.
You can't use a SW number of average hours they fly and then use a Delta number based on 75 hours per month. You have to use the Delta average. Its over 1100 hours a month much like at SW. On the 737 that puts the Average Delta CA around 194k a year plus another 9K more then a SW guy gets in the DC plan. or over 200K. Still that a lot less then SW but not quite what is posted here.
There is a valid argument that the MD88 should be compared with SW. That is however debatable. The company will quickly point out that they agreed to the higher pay rates on the 737NG based on how efficient the airframe was and the extra profit it would generate. That was our position during the 3b6 process on the airframe. Now we are going to reverse that position and base it on seats. That may or may not fly with the NMB.
The bottom line is you can talk all day about SW. They have never generated anything industry leading. I don't really care about SW. I care about Delta and our future contract. I expect to see us get back to our historical quality of life advantage and pay advantage. Trying to make direct comparisons with flawed data is not the right way to start out negotiations.

If we do not get HI, I would be surprised. The potential with them and the Chinese markets is impressive.

Nice analogy. And what would ALPA's role in the circus be? :cool:

That's a good question...would it involve jumbo pants, a rainbow wig and a big red nose?

Well, we agree on something.

DAL will re-fleet and balance its markets with mergers. Its just business. Beware of young and senior pilot groups.

True Dat Nu

We all see where Carl is coming from. ALPA is irrepairable. Its just that DPA already has critical mass to do what needs to be done short term. Realist me says DALPA has this section 6, not DPA (unless the Check essential scenario play out).

However, I dont want some rogue BS coming from DPA. If they decide to play (tea party) within the current system, it needs to be strategic and smart. Otherwise, they lose their (fragile) credibility.

Like JETBLUE!!! Senior CA's with 2000 hire dates....