My frustration does not need to be directed at DALPA/ALPA. I am frustrated at our earning potential.

The HI situation is just another airline that is growing in the PAC RIM that is ripe for a takeover. They will have hired 25% of their list in the last six months based on the needs of their last big bid a few months back. They will be flying to the East Coast, something we should be doing(NYC), and expanding in China. They are a good fit for DAL.

As for ALPA on this, I am sure as the day is long, our merger committee is all over it. Our MC Chair is one smart guy, and I do not suspect anything gets past him.

I will be more frustrated if we do not get the restoration our profession is rightfully owed. What that number is, is up to our resolve and the ability to 1) back up whomever the bargaining agent is, and 2) keep the reps feet to the fire.

Of course there are things within ALPA that royally frustrate me. No organization is without fault, esp ALPA. What really frustrates me is that our pilots are unwilling but totally able to fix the mess, but no one what to hold anyone accountable on an intimate level. Web boards raise awareness, but until that translates in to one on one contact at the meetings, it amounts to very little. So yes, that is frustrating.

I guess you could say that I have been and continue to be frustrated enough to continue to stay involved. I did not get involved because I thought everything was going well. No one ever does. What I am not willing to do is willfully shoot ourselves in the foot right now. This contact is very important to this group, and each of our families. It has to be done right, and waiting until 2018 and beyond to fix the mess we may create is totally unacceptable to me.

 

I can tell you this. If we pick up HI and the merger is one of relative seniority. 12 year and junior DL pilots will be burned, again (especially if you are a NWA 2000 hire). I hope we can fix this issue before it even comes to fruition.

THere seems to be tremendous growth and High % hiring at other airlines (HI & ALA). I do not want to be subject to another backward seniority slide.

TEN

 

The lowest seniority # would put a HI A at wherever you'd be with 26 years of service or a NWA 85 hire. Or about 2900 on the list.

Pure gold.

 

It is unwise to speculate on how that list may go. You never know what may end up in the testimony.

 

ACL;
I appreciate your passion. I wish our DALPA leadership shared your desires for our up-coming contract.

Yeah, yeah, I know the contract survey isnt done yet, so our illustrious bargaining agent doesnt have a position.

However, we all know they do...That is why the contract comparison was so weak. Thats why we never heard about AF/KLM. I could go on -

I'm sure many of the surveys are already submitted. They mostly wont be revisited if AF/KLM info is delivered at the 11th hour.

 

Yes very true. Because what we might do is offer a staple, if they don't take it then operate as separate entities and then sell off everything they have until they don't exist.

Now if they take the staple, we integrate, then we will sell off everything HI had until it doesn't exist, then we'll leave and let United or American take over.

Yes.

 

FTB;
Have you started drinking?


Yet?

 

What on this planet, or in your inteview, suggested that you should make more $$$ on a 747 than on an MD88? Is it less work on an MD88? Is it more difficult to fly a 747? Does a 747 create more profit than an MD88? Is the checkride easier on an MD88? Is there less frequent line checks on the MD88? What? What? Give me one reason a 747 pilot should make more $$$ pr hour than an MD88 pilot. Oh, and by the way, keep in mind all those profit and revenue questions we were asked in the interview....

It is complete and utterly nonsense to pay a 747 pilot more $$$ than an MD88 pilot. Lets cut the training cost for the company and pocket the $$$ instead of running this old school way of fighting towards each other for something we all know is essentially the same job.

Rant over.... Continue..

 

Now, that is funny....

 

A little background from my one on ones with the NC.

1) They are going to listen to that survey. It is not eyewash they are spewing. You NC Chair is committed to follow the will of the pilots. Period. Ask him yourself when he shows up for the road show in PTC in a week. I suggest you make it a day and come on down here. I may be there, it depends on my scheduling of a few events later that afternoon. I would love to chat with ya.

2) I wanted those JV partners included as much as you do, and voiced my concern that they were not. They matter-a-factly told me that they wanted to as well, but it was more important to get the survey out there, and pilots heads in the contract, that to possibly wait until Nov/Dec to get the survey out. Those numbers should be coming shortly. Apparently they just met with them. The meeting was not to happen until mid month, and it happened last. They too have the priority to pain that picture.

3) You NC chair has the goal to return to the line after he gets us a great contract. Of course some things are out of their hands, but his entire committee is committed to see whatever we want through. They know who they work for. If that changes they will be replaced and they know that.

This is not some self diluted belief of mine. I saw the process in motion, and it is my belief that many of the reps agree.

As for the surveys, I hope that almost everyone has done it. I have mine done but have not submitted it. I talk amongst our pilots and if they state what I want a better way, I improve on my position. I have a calendar reminder set up to submit it three hrs before it closes.


I know that I will continue to keep my ear to the ground, and if I do not like what I am seeing, I will continue to speak up. Everyone should.

Of course, side business are so much fun. Rezoning, covenant variances, land deals, lease purchases, city, county and state codes, etc are entertaining, but the reality is that everyone including me would like this job to pay enough that these sort of things are not a necessity. This job should pay correctly, and pilots should not have to have significant second careers to offset the loss in earnings they have seen because of the stagnation of ticket pricing.