well stated. Bravo!

I agree, scope and pay (in that order) are first priority...and while you are correct, seniority will always be king, I think the pay banding model can open up aircraft to junior pilots that may not otherwise be open to them. It also can increase QOL if in some circumstances it removes the impetus to commute to a higher paying category.

You are seeing Carl as Pete Sampras?...Funny, I was picturing Bobby Riggs:D

At least we're convinced enough of an impending pilot shortage that PFT arguments have dried up.

And a DC-9 dude works way harder than anyone. No auto-throttles. Need I say more? I'll take my money in non-sequential unmarked bills.

Carry on.

:-^ :-v :-^ :-v :-^ :-v :-^ :-v

DPA is waiting in the wings to do what exactly?...and how are they going to do it?...Are they to follow the APA model or USAPA model to the road to riches?

Whatever DPA does, they'll do it better, cheaper, and more efficiently than ALPA. For starters, they'll have every single cent of Delta dues money dedicated to Delta pilots. They will not fund a bloated, self-serving, and corrupt bureaucracy at national. And they WILL NOT be legally required to subsidize/advocate for regional pilot groups who are trying to take our jobs and erode our quality of life, like ALPA is. They will hire the best legal and other assistance whose ONLY interests are those of Delta pilots. All of that by itself is enough to sell me. Everything else is gravy.

The real question is, what is ALPA going to do on this contract to earn the irrational bennies they've been enjoying since BK? BK was a bloodbath for line pilots. But not for DALPA's inner circle. Are you familiar with their obscene FPL and stipend allowances? Have you seen DALPA's expenses (on our dime) from their FL, and other boondoggles? Of course you have.

Every single Delta pilot I've spoken to on the jumpseat or in the hotel van realizes that DPA is not going to happen on this contract. But every single one will vote to boot ALPA if this contract is insufficient. Argue all you want, get as personal as you like, but that's the way it is. Show me the money.

+1.

If DALPA delivers, DPA will fade into nothingness.

Having said that....based on the pathetic and utterly counterproductive downward management we've seen from DALPA waterboys on this (and the DALPA) boards, I'm not holding my breath.

Meanwhile, I'm upping my contributions to DPA.

Well said! For those who aren't aware of the bloated lard at the top of that which we call ALPA please review these numbers:

$6,500/mo housing allowance for the President, $4,500/mo housing allowance for V.P.s, $1,600/mo car allowance, $498,000 annual compensation for the President, $120,000/year secretaries, $175,000/year magazine editors, massive bonus pensions, $329 per night hotel rooms, $260 per day per diem, etc.

Absolutely nauseating. And indefensible.

You are right. At UPS, the 727 was the senior airplane, the 747 was the junior one. Why? Because of work rules..."a turn trip with no rest break" paid 6.5 hours. ie: louisville - ft wayne - louisville paid 6.5 and sleep in your own bed. A 747 flew halfway around the planet and you are gone for a week.

The only thing that increases QOL is seniority. Everything else is relative.