SWAPA, an independent union, actually fought for their own pilots, and didn't have to use part of the $38 million a year in dues to fund smaller, RJ companies. AMAZING! How about using MY DUES MONEY FOR ME, and NOT FOR A COMAIR GUY?

 

I'm saying this game won't be close. I'm going to say LSU, but I don't think it's going to be close either way. Conventional wisdom is often wrong and there has been two weeks of it.

Oh and to make this relevant... I got in an argument today about DPA vs DALPA with someone at the airport. I told them that until DALPA allows us to vote for the MEC Chairman and gets out from under ALPA National I can't support them. The girl at Starbucks said buy something or leave.

I showed her.

 

Agree. I'm on the Plan N, and I get brutalized by out-of-network every year. It got so bad, I have supplemental medical now that covers deductibles and out of pocket.

Nu

 

I have talked to both ATL and LAX LEC members and FO reps.... I have never heard any one of these guys say anything remote to that effect. C2K plus 50% that is what gives them heartburn. All in fact thought SWA plus was reasonable. I am not sure where this negative ALPA rep dogma comes from. I dont want any group blowing BS smoke but also dont want any group going forward to be a lap dog either when contract negotiation begins.

 

The reason everyone keeps hyping on bag fees is because it did allow DAL to make a profit (in a lousy economy). As for whether DAL can "afford" to pay its pilots let's just do some simple math. We get half of that profit as a pay raise - $500 Million - that equates to a pay raise of $40,000 for every pilot. While this is more than 40% for the average FO and less than 40% for the average CA it does show that that DAL can afford a significant investment in its pilots without breaking the company. Also, as mentioned above $1 Billion dollar net profit and $2 Billion of free cash flow to pay down principal on our debt means DAL actually had $3 Billion of profit not $1 Billion. DAL can afford to give us significant raises for the contribution the pilots have made to a quick, smooth merger and a return to profitability (both companies were in the red before the merger). That doesn't even count the Billions in synergy the company has realized from the merger. It is time for DAL to put its money where its mouth is - we are always getting props from DAL about the great job we do - time to start paying us (with SWAPA, UPS, and FEDEX to shoot for) the company can no longer cry about pilot costs making CASM too high. Don't tell me we can't get at SWA+ (I don't require a big +).

 

Tennessee lost to both Bama and LSU by 31 points. I predict a tie.

 

No a fan of any of our plans, but if you want the best coverage, go for one of the plans that is protected by our PWA. It will cost you, but the coverage levels are much better.

As I said a few days ago, the HRA Gold is what we have and had when our last one was born. Had the 1500 dollars for a family, which you will get bumped to when you claim the wee one as a dependent, and 1000 in the FSA. That covered all of the prenatal expenses; her test, a few extra sonograms because of my age , etc, as well as a private LandD room, and all of the post momma and baby stuff. We did an elective induction at 39 weeks as well, no C-section, and no significant postpartum care. Baby was born in the first half of the year, and this along with our normal health care expenses, we incurred extra out of pocket expenses.

The coverage and discounts are not what they once were, but we covered the birth and the remaining family health expenses at that funding and health care level.

 

That's good, but not the case up North. Funny, I thought it would be the opposite, with them being "cobras" and all. Also, 2 of the 3 LA guys have not been solid on their stances. Wish us luck!

 

The ultimate irony is if the "game of the millennium" goes to 7 OTs and both teams return next week and lose?

Although I highly doubt LSU would lose to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and unless MSU finds itself I doubt they'd upset Bama either.

 

You're right about the profits. Remember that the company's number 1 goal right now is to bring the debt level down to a total of $10 billion by 2013, to lower yearly interest payments by a staggering $500 million a year. That's great and all, and maybe they told DALPA that, to manage even their expectations. Maybe they gave them a pie of money, and said "here's what we can afford due to paying off the debt. You divide it anyway you want...". There have been 10 successful airfare increases, and fuel surcharges have stuck too. Pineapple guy's favorite RASM is way up too. Time for a nice raise, and DALPA will have to fight for us, or someone else will while collecting our dues.