This thread has really gotten boring. I'm out.

 

^^^^^^^ After reading the last 50 or 60 pages, this is exactly what I've been thinking! Thanks for putting it into words NewK!!

Denny

 

Spot on as always, newK.

It sure would be nice if the DALPA/DPA master debaters would take it over to that thread. I'm sick of it and sick of modding it.

As post here or there would be fine, but good gosh it's like banging your head against a wall after that.


For the record, I filled out the uniform survey. The hats are staying and button up that coat, boys and girls! You long sleeve wearing freaks will have to keep them in the winter only. Show off those guns in the summer with the rest of us.

 

New,

I was thinking along the same lines - and then I came across this.

ALPA National was pushing for a 750 hour minimum for the new part 121 rules.. I was thinking - great this is a big improvement from the current 250 hour minimum.

Then I find the government is recommending 1000 hours! ***! ALPA was pushing for less hours then the government is recommending.

To me this like getting a 20% raise and finding out that ALPA was pushing for 15%. How could ALPA possibly be pushing for less than the recommended flight hour number???


Oh thats right ALPA represents more regional pilots then Delta Pilots. But even that does not make sense - you would think the current regional pilots would have the most to gain from raising the requirements into the field.

I know we are entering section 6 and should probably stick with ALPA for now - but this blows me away. ALPA says "The new limits are coming one way or another - so we can huff and puff on the sides or get engaged and affect the outcome. What a joke - the outcome is better than what ALPA was pushing. In other words, lucky for us ALPA does not have near the clout they think they have.

Scoop

 

sailingfun, you may have missed when I asked this several pages ago so reposting here. Thanks in advance for answering!

Do you believe your list of wants above is achievable in this upcoming contract? If you want those things why do you spend so much time on these forums giving a multitude of reasons they wont be achievable?

 

Just for you and RATHER.... TEN

 

Well the last 30 pages or so have been a waste of my life. Someone let me know when the ALPA/DPA hair pulling and eye poking girl fight stops.

 

So, any thoughts on the DPA and or DALPA? I really don't have time info back and read since I last posted.

Thanks,
FTB

 

I think it was a Beatles song: All you need is Jello?

 

I am a realist, I think much of what I posted is possible. I have not posted why the above is not achievable. What I have posted that is not achievable is the upfront 40 to 70 percent raise many state is their minimum. A true restoration contract would require around a 65 percent upfront raise followed by Delta having to hire at least 4000 additional pilots to staff the old work rules. Costs would be well north of 1.5 billion. What I am asking for is half that.
I have also posted that even what I want may not be doable without a strike. Getting to a strike however is at least a 6 year project and even then may be ended with a PEB followed by congressional action.
That brings up what many on here refuse to acknowledge. There is a time value to a contract. Management does not care what they pay us. They only care what they pay us relative to the competition. What would put more money in your pocket overall. A quick somewhat modest contract done at the amendable date followed in 3 to 4 years by openers on the next contract or a long drawn out fight with no resolution for 5 or 6 years. If we get a quick contract we set a bar for the other airlines to follow. That makes the next contract much easier to negotiate.
If I were the CEO I would make us a quick offer now. I would get us up to SW hourly rates with some improvements in other areas. I would offer this because virtually all the important airline passenger contracts are in negotiation or up for negotiation. He quickly sets a bar that UAL has to follow and improves AMR's chances before the court. SWA contract is amendable in 2012. They have made no move in the last 11 years to improve their current contract but we will at least insure they don't take cuts that their management team is laying groundwork for. While the above is what I would do if I were management I have no illusions it is what will happen. I suspect in the end a long fight is where we are headed. Its a fight that will be won or lost in Washington DC on a political basis. That is why our current good relationship with the NMB is important to maintain.
There is a wild card to the entire contract issue. Things are happening in the industry and happening fast. It appears both the CEO, VP Flight ops and sleepy ED Bastion are all going to show this week for the MEC meeting. This is highly unusual. There is a distinct possibility we may not get to section 6 negotiations at all. I will leave that statement hanging out there. The next 6 months will be very interesting.