This is a good point. I am under the impression that we want to help the company get rid of 50 seaters while increasing the number of 76 seaters and fix other parts of our scope in the process. DALPA sees this as a win. I see it as moving the line in the wrong direction on 76 seat scope AGAIN. Johnson seems to think that I am imagining things because I have no factual data to back it up. I do have common sense though.

It's only moving the line if the final numbers let it move the line. All outsourcing is bad for us. I want to look at the tradeoff in order to judge the merits. If satisfactory, then I'll look beyond Section 1.

You can argue that a single 76 seater is unsat, and the company can argue that any single day where they stall us on a contract is merely one step in the right direction.

Where does that leave us?

I never accused you of imagining things, or no having common sense. I simply asked if you have factual evidence to support your claim that DALPA is negotiating for 1) more 76 seaters 2) less 50 seaters. Like others, you're getting wrapped up in rumors and hype. Eventually you state it as fact, when you don't have evidence to back the claim. It's one thing to say you suspect DALPA is negotiating for more 76 seaters. It's entirely different to claim it as fact. ;)

I think you could concede the point that the 76 seater is likely on the table, from TO's letter, but fairness would require him to concede the purpose would be to craft an overall much better Section 1, with a much better allocation of flying overall.

If you acknowledge one you have to acknowledge the other.

I'm still not too clear on why the company came to us, to open early, and get this thing done quickly. All I've heard from my Rep. when I called him to ask is,

"Richard wants to pursue Other Opportunities..."

Ummm...Ok, but what's in it, for US?

Are we going to get MORE MONEY/Benefits/Retirement/Work rules, etc. (another 'bite of the apple') if/when this Other Opportunity comes about? What if we are still in contract negotiations a year from now, and Delta has just posted a $2Billion proffit?

What if Richard's "Other Opportunity" is...Getting the Pilots to rush into being locked into a substandard contract for several more years, with minimum pay/benefit restoration now, before Delta starts making $2Billion/yr. with his new cheap fuel farm?? Or before O'Bama gets re-elected, or before he buys...? someone else, shrinks the mainline (again) and gives our DC9 flying to yet another RJ operator? Or all of the above?

Unless we get a huge pay restoration, with huge retirement paybacks, with upside profit sharing protections for if/when his fuel farm (the one our pay cuts paid for) purchase starts 'paying off', and better scope/job protections, I'm in no hurry to commit to yet another long term bankruptcy pay rate/benefit contract (adjusted for inflation, we are still there today!).

I see no reason to rush into this, just because he -said- he's got "Other Opportunities".

As I tell my wife when ever she wants me to do housework;

"Don't Rush ME! If I rush, I'll make mistakes, and we don't want that now do we?"

My thoughts exactly, Was wondering how that one got by in the first place!

Oh, that's brilliant Timbo! I gotta start using that!

If we are rushing into this because of some "FLEETING OPPORTUNITIES," let them fleet. I'm not impressed at all. I thought we had some leverage now. I'm not in any hurry to ratify anything that resembles this.

I'll give up transforming 1 70 seat jet for 1 76 seat jet if:

a) All 50 seaters are parked and their number capped at 1. Just to remind us what happens when we give up scope.

b) Alaska codeshare gone. If we merge in next 5 years all of DCI parked.

c) Whatever George says to do about the JVs.

d) All of DCI pilot positions must be transferred from non Delta pilots to seniority list Delta pilots, with seats open for bidding and training in house, by 2015.

There very well may be Fleeting Opportunities...so what?

What does that do for me and my pay/benefits?

Another merger? More numbers in front of me? More mainline airframes parked with more surplus pilots?

If there is a 'real' fleeting opportunity out there, put it in WRITING, that it WILL directly benefit ME!

As was said in Goodfella's; Goodfellas - **** you Pay Me - YouTube