I've never fielded a phone call from them, but I do have the feeling ALPA is constantly trying to poll me.

Q1 Webcast starting.

Let me get this straight. You actually have flown 6 days this month and it's a huge degradation in your quality of life? Worst case you're going to fly 10 days and get paid for 70 hours.

I think the new system is a huge improvement over the old one as the schedulers can no longer use the "dart board" method of distribution. I just got a short call while 5 folks junior to me had 1 or 2 fewer short calls and got to sit long call? That's the same logic that schedulers used prior to this system. The new system isn't perfect, it is significantly better than the old one.

What 1400 of us wouldn't have given to have gotten paid 70 hours for 10 days of flying while we were furloughed post 911. Just my perspective, hope it gets better for you.

I feel exactly the same way. In fact, I don't think I could have said it better.

I dont read the TA like an english teacher trying to grade it. I read it as a pilot trying to figure out what it means.

However, even with that approach, the lawyers seem to be able to find a way around anything and/or (if there is a super good deal) DALPA gives them relief.

I'll agree to that last as well: I'm often surprised by the weakness in some of the language. For example, was I ever surprised when we tested the NFC in C2K with my very own job!

I suspect it's like any deal you negotiate: the true value of terms isn't always completely apparent until years later. I bought an extended warranty on our minivan. It's going to take a long while to tell if it was a good deal, or not.

So any contract has a bunch of fluff, items that are theoretically a huge improvement, based on the cliffnotes, assuming the economic environment and company finances hold up. But when a true test-to-press occurs, some work as intended, some do not. Some of these are better viewed as a weak insurance policy, than an iron-clad guarantee. I don't think this is a product of who negotiates. I think we have the appropriate professionals in the room. And even a Jerry Maguire would negotiate a bunch of fluff, to see what sticks.

Which is what makes it critically important to:
1) Have simple, clear, strong language in the most essential clauses.
2) Be informed, and involved, and not distracted by noise and/or any selling.
3) Compare the end product to your own initial requirements.
4) Ask questions, but be critical. Lean towards basing your consideration of a particular section on what it says, not an explanation of how it "should work".
5) Accept the fact that some of what you're getting is fluff, and learn to assign a value to that fluff based on the probability it will work out, not a certainty.

What did RA just say about a contract? I missed it while typing.

Delta values it relationship with its pilots. Delta has gotten several contracts done with its pilots in a timely manner (ex: JPWA) and our competition takes about 5 years to do a contract.

Surprised - no question on the oil refinery or aircraft acquisitions, thus far.

Thanks.....

I pretty much agree with all you said above. Yes, it is a matter of semantics and how one interprets the written/spoken word. I highly doubt our negotiating team is "demanding" anything. My guess is they are "negotiating" which involves going back and forth. Don't get me wrong, this contract has to be a BIG positive for the pilot group but it is still a negotiation.

Denny

Stoke away but you lost me on this comment. Of course, yes it does. But what does that have to do with them coming and "demanding" I buy them a car? Better for them to put up a reasoned argument that me buying them a car actually helps me out by not having to drive them around for whatever reason!!!

Denny