Your first statement is complete BS. Just basic computer science.

Really? You want the same thing I want?

Well then what are YOUR ideas to achieve it? Be sure and show your work, with supporting math.

Show yours first... like you have been asked to numerous times.

How many times have we already covered this, T? My ideas have been presented here numerous times. You just don't like them.

What I want our reps to do.

1. Figure out what the pilot groups wants or doesn't want. Surveys, road shows, etc. should paint a picture.
2. Study what the company might want. Looking at other contracts, things that were brought up in past negotiations, and inefficient (to the company) parts of our contract will give us an idea.
3. Cost everything out.
4. Prioritize the costing data to maximize gains. Identify areas the company might want that are palatable to the pilots.
5. Gather as much Delta financial information as possible. Assess the state of the industry and economy a a whole.
6. Study our possible mediators. Do whatever possible to get a favorable mediator.
7. Develop an opening position based on all the data collected.
8. Develop a strategy to keep negotiations moving. Call the company out when they are stalling and be able to defend every move we make.
9. Develop a contingency plan in the event the company isn't interested in negotiating. Have a strike committee ready to go and keep the pilots up-to-date on progress. Timely communications, road shows, and family planning events.
10. Brief other pilot groups on management tactics so they will be prepared when it's their turn.

There are probably more but these are some examples of modern negotiating tactics. Under the RLA there is a clearly defined process. We need to position ourselves to maximize gains.

Okay. And what is your objective with all of that? i.e. What exactly are you trying to accomplish? How much will our W2's go up?

Good grief. The whole contract is "inefficient (to the company)." And this is #2 on your list. Are you trying to help the company make us more efficient?

Why would you suggest this unless you were advocating for concessions?

Why would we entertain concessions in this negotiating environment?

Did the company grant concessions when it took from Delta pilots in bankruptcy?

Restoration? How does saying "restoration" position us better than not saying it? Do you think our reps don't want contract improvements? Big contract improvements?

I don't know any of our reps but I can say with great certainty that they want a really good outcome from our next negotiations.

The only other ideas that I recall you suggesting you said you wouldn't post here. When I hear that I think illegal job action. I have no clue if that's what you were writing about but if you are you should probably research the history of what is considered "illegal" and how recent job actions have resulted. They don't work anymore. The used to but companies decided to sue instead of negotiating.

To get as much as possible. I'm guessing we will get a significant W2 bump but I couldn't say exactly what it will be.

You don't know any of the reps, but you are confident that you can speak for them? YGBSM.

In any case, the problem with DALPA isn't necessarily the reps. It's the entrenched DALPA bureaucracy and ALPA national--whose goals and lifestyles are not remotely aligned with the line pilots'--that we need to worry about.

Oh, and define "really good," please. Is that better or worse than "historic?"