Originally Posted by shiznit

I would submit that no one has produced an answer to slow's question yet, would some of the peeps here know how the other unions deemed to be "successful" (IPA, APA, SWAPA) operate their structure?

(I'm not saying that another union has done a better or worse job, just wanting to know the structure they use.)

Originally Posted by Wasatch Phantom

Timbo.

Your post made me do some research that's pretty darn depressing.

In February 1995 I was a four year 727 First Officer. My hourly rate was $98.48. I contributed 6% to the Family Care Savings Plan, so my effective rate was $92.57.

Seventeen years later I'm an A-320 Captain and my hourly rate is $175.00 an hour. Because I'm a dead zoner I contribute 25% to my retirement (including the over 50 catch-up contribution). That makes my effective rate $131.25. (And I'm not getting into the degradation of our medical plan ...)

So using an inflation calculator, $92.57 in 1995 dollars equates to $136.63 in 2011 dollars. I'm essentially making five bucks an hour less as a 22 year A-320 Captain than I was making as a 4 year 727 First Officer, barely off B-scale!

I guess this would be the point that Slow, Sailing, Alfa, or PG will chime in and tell me how great I'm doing....

It sure doesn't feel it from where I'm sitting.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot

Agreed. Talked to a FO buddy of mine at Emirates the other day. His tax free profit sharing check for 2011 was 28K!!! I was floored they got that much!

He is a fifth year FO going to the left seat of the 777.

Originally Posted by Wasatch Phantom

Seventeen years later I'm an A-320 Captain and my hourly rate is $175.00 an hour. Because I'm a dead zoner I contribute 25% to my retirement (including the over 50 catch-up contribution). That makes my effective rate $131.25. (And I'm not getting into the degradation of our medical plan ...)

Originally Posted by FlyingSig

Since you are subtracting money that you are being paid and putting into savings, then in fairness, shouldn't you also add the money that is given directly to you in savings?

14% of your $175.00 goes into your DC/401K so doesn't that make your "new" rate $199.50 & your "effective rate" $149.63?

Just sayin' .....

Originally Posted by Carl Spackler

I'm fine with a pay banding system...always have been. But you're failing to recognize why we're down-gauging. We're down-gauging because we're shrinking. We're shrinking because we have what is arguably the worst Scope in the entire industry. And you're the one who just stated that we need to think really hard about wanting to recapture scope because then we "would shrink like you cannot believe" (your words).

We will NEVER grow again unless we recapture scope. Your concept of us shrinking less by continuing to allow all this outsourcing is pure fantasy.

Carl

Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

Quite a contrast to the last 5 years at Delta, 'eh? The rumor among the FO's is a return to the direct entry Captain position. They are getting a lot of metal this year and talking about deferring deliveries as a result of crew shortages.

There are some other gigs out there that look appealing, perhaps better than EK.

Delta says they are over staffed by 4 or 5%. ALPA's Expert says he does not know when things will turn around. Seems like a win for Delta and Delta's pilots to offer very long term leave. Those who want to could get out of the way and reduce Delta's costs until (when / if) Delta has a need for pilots.