FtB:

Given this is not the First Rodeo for any aviator, I will submit that a FO on the lowest paying jet in yr three plus of longevity should be able to afford a typical middle class house; 250K, two newer cars with payments of about 400 each, schooling for their children, a college fund, able to put the max per year in their 401K and be able to do everything that a typical manager mid-upper level at a normal corporation should be able to do. That equates to 140-155K a year. It also should go up significantly from there.

Most pilots DAL has hired in the last five years have been doing the military for 10+ years and or the civilian world for 7-15 years. The bulk of pilots hired would be mid to upper level managers on a different career track at a min.

I continue to purport that to attract the best you have to pay em like you respect em.

The idea of a pilots in his mid 40's sitting reserve on the 7ER or 330 making 6K a month with kids going to college is preposterous. That pilot has been doing this job for 20+ years and should be paid in kind. Same goes for the 7ERA that sits reserve and makes 155K gross a year and is in his mid to late 50's.

I agree that we will see a 2 year contract extension with about a 5-10% raise and some contractual improvements.

Wouldn't surprise me to see ALPA endorse a proposal like that. But I sure hope the majority of this pilot group wouldn't even consider it!

On another note, this just in on the DALPA Forum: (not posted by any DALPA official)

"Just got off the phone with the President of SWAPA.

I asked him to clarify their pay. He emphatically said the average SWA Captain makes between 220K and 260K. Some work less and make less, a few push 300K. The last year he flew the line he made over 270K working about 4 days a week.

He asked an FO near him what he made on his W2 last year, it was around 180K. He estimated he worked about 16 days a month.

Their 737s hold around 137 passengers.

He said no DALPA leader has called him personally to discuss their contract this go round. He did say the _ guys have spoken to him."

I assume "the _guys" is referring to DPA since that acronym is forbidden on the DALPA Forum.

That wouldn't exactly constitute "labor peace" in my book. I won't even consider voting yes for a 5-10% pay raise.

I don't know... just asking... but would we even get to vote on a contract extension? Could the MEC do something like that with an LOA? :eek:

Wasn't LOA 19 subject to MEMRAT?

Any sort of pay changes have to go before memrat.

Seems the paranoia is worse than normal.

Thanks. I honestly couldn't remember but I thought that was right. I think what you're seeing is a lack of trust in DALPA. But I'm glad to confirm that a pay change has to go before memrat.

I may consider 15% for 1 year, but nothing less and there better be improvements elsewhere.

The word DPA is blocked automatically?