I wanted to credit gloopy for shedding light on a very, very profound and disturbing reality. One that I intend to express directly to Mr Anderson if and when I am given the chance.

That for the typical pilot, family of four or five, to be able to purchase tickets to travel on Delta would very likely break the bank for most of us. How many of us (with families to support) have a couple of grand lying around any more?

Mr. Anderson et al: WE CAN'T AFFORD THE PRODUCT WE PRODUCE!

That is fundamentally wrong. Morally wrong. Our pay is not commensurate with our responsibilities, our sacrifices, nor our contribution to the bottom line. Time to pay us what we are WORTH, my friends.

 

Hear, hear!

I did not hear the statement. As quoted, it was a political foul ball. However it is refreshing to hear a candid, non political, word every now and then. Too often we just get fed rhetoric which flies against the reality of our position. The logical disconnect between rhetoric and action frustrated me. I prefer a MEC Chair do the job out of a sense of service rather than the the notion that they are guys who went to tthe top because they were too smart to be "just a pilot." (Not aimed at anyone in particular)

The Chair has a tough job. Seeing as how the better he does, the better I do ... He has my support.

 

Some things are happening that could be very influential at Delta.

I am speaking of LEC elections which are currently being held. I know that several of you have given up on ALPA, and that's fine, but please read on.

While you are gathering up your cards, which I don't have a problem with BTW, how about affecting how things currently are. It is my opinion that the outcome of a couple key elections could significantly affect how things run here at the Delta level of ALPA--and thus solve some of the issues causing you to defect to the "other side". As such, as these changes occur, you may find yourself being more and more of the process--as in your complaints ARE being heard.

Specifically, the LAX election is a very key component of how the MEC works as things stand right now. I would suggest for our LAX based pilots who are seeking the kind of changes promised by the DPA to consider voting OUT the pilots currently holding office. Also, I would recommend passing the word to your fellow LAX pilots. Give the new guys a call and ask them about their positions on things which are important to you. Vote accordingly, and encourage those you fly with to do so as well.

As ACL says, I would much rather take care of the growing dissatisfaction in house, and this is a great first step. The current administration will do everything in its power to keep things status quo--meaning their views hold the voting majority at the MEC.

Change starts with you. It is time for the MEC to begin working as it was intended--from the ground up.

 

You are looking at after tax and the French pilots tax rates are much higher than ours. For their high tax rate they do get many benefits from their socialized government that to not come out of their salaries including between 40-48 days vacation per year mandated by the government.

For reference:
In 2004 the median household income in the United States was $44,389.

In France the average gross salary was 3,931 € / 5,307 $, monthly in 2006 (or $64,684/year) the average net salary was 1,828 € / 2,468 $, monthly in 2006

So if the quoted top rate is in euros (9700) then the top take home salary is 5.3 times the average income in France.

 

Carl;

I dont want to say that DALPA acted somewhat as predicted. I really dont. REALLY!

Thanks for tracking down this link.

The pay referenced is AFTER TAXES. TAKE HOME PAY. There is also 2 months of vacation, free medical, etc.

This is not flamebait either: Air france 777A takes 10 years to achieve. Source: an air france pilot 2 years ago. Scoop would be an Air France 777 captain. Sorry Timbo.

Did this link also make its way to the DALPA board?

 

I gotta throw the BS flag on this.

There is no comfort zone in the mid seniority. Most of us like our jobs, but are working to de-couple from mother D. Some FOs I fly with are older than Timbo, some are younger than me. Most of us fall into the 45-54 year old group.

We know what it was like to be compensated well -with money left over after the month ended. We also know that now after funding our 401k's, we are mostly paycheck to paycheck...some are struggling with kids in college. Our character has been built...sometimes after making decisions that seemed right when times were good.

Some of my peers try to take a glass half full approach to life, others take a glass half empty. I flew with a guy recently who is a partner in a large live music bar venue...as his retirement plan. I flew with another who is financially upside down across the board. Another that is getting his HVAC certification as plan B. Personally, I feel all of their pain.

The common theme with each of them is that they have come to terms with their places in life and are all making efforts to be able to walk when the time comes. If it came tomorrow, I have faith in each of them to do the right thing.

I have flown with Captains who are scanning the horizon for a flying job away from DAL after being here for a long time and others that are lining up their retirements as we speak. It is definitely a mixed bag, but I dont fly with too many pilots that are just plain hunky dory with where we are right now.

You want to P.O. a reserve 777 captain? Just point to a SWA jet and tell him that it is likely that the FO makes more than he does.

 

It was happening to me last night when I was trying to do my nov PCS stuff. I had to call scheduling and have them help me input it.

 

I DO have a problem with the card drive, especially as we enter section 6.

Every little thing that management gives in negotiations "raises the floor." If management is not sure who has authority to negotiate with them as our bargaining agent, management will sit tight until the uncertainty is resolved. There is no point in negotiating with the wrong party.

The way I see it, every card undermines the guy at the table bargaining on our behalf.

If the DPA wins the election, then I'll support the DPA (which will be supporting our pilots). However, at this point a representational battle just stalls, and harms, contract 2012.

Your post is right on the money ... participate in your LEC election. Elect guys who you support (and who support you).

JUST MY OPINION

 

Sorry for what?

I'd loved to have made 777 Capt. at 10 years.

I did make MD88 Capt. at 6 years...and was displaced off it 9 months later, when DAL sold our DC9's to a leasing company, who then leased them to Value Jet, and handed our DC9 bidsheet to Com Air to fly those trips, but that's a whole 'nutha story.

I don't understand why guys are getting so wrapped around the axel over what Air France/KLM Pilots make or don't make, it's apples and oranges, and what would we use that information for, when it comes time to negotiate?? Are we seriously going to say to the company, "Hey, Those Guys over there in Europe make a TON more money that we do!!" ??

Richard's answer will be, "So move to France..."

I know what we make, I know what South West 737 Domestic pilots make, I know what Delta took from me in bankruptcy, and I know what I want back. AF/KLM pay rates have nothing to do with what I want.

 

do do do, la la la, is all I've got to say to you ...



She looks better than the Eskimo.