I did a little exercise at the end of last year that I think helps clarify whether or not negotiating for the kind of improvement it would take to restore our pay would be "in good faith" or "reasonable." I estimated the number of passengers I carried last year. I think I had pretty sound methodology for this estimate:

I took the actual number of days I flew last year. I figure on the MD-88/90 the average number of legs per day is 3. The MD-88 holds 149 PAX and the MD-90 holds 160. Our loads are pretty full most of the time, so I used 145 as the average passenger load.

Then, I looked at my December 31 pay stub. I added Flight Pay, Flight Advance, Profit Sharing, Shared Rewards, and company contributions into my retirement accounts... basically total compensation for the year.

Then I divided that number by the number of passengers I carried. My total cost to Delta per passenger? $2.98.

So... obviously it's more than just me up there. And some airplanes have higher paid Captains and more than two pilots. So let's say for illustration purposes that the average cockpit cost per passenger is $7. To increase our W2's to the same level of buying power we had during most of the 1980's, 1990's, and early 2000's, we would need approximately a 50% increase. Using $7 as our average cockpit cost per passenger, that's an additional $3.50 Delta would need to net per passenger. Delta invented $25 bag fees out of thin air and has no trouble collecting them. I have no doubt that they could find a way to net (whether through revenue increases or cost cuts in other areas or some combination) $3.50 more per passenger if they needed to. Where there's a will there's a way. Our management proves this every single day. They are very good at thinking outside the box.

So, is "restoration" reasonable? Would we be negotiating "in good faith?" Clearly, I think so. I think there is a strong case to be made for that. Trouble is, nobody is making that case on our behalf.

 

I'm not completely sure either, Alan. I just know that if I tripled last year's profit sharing check, it wouldn't bring my W2 up to C2K level buying power.

 

I disagree entirely with that. His points have been rational and well presented. He has never digressed to the level of PD or index, or even me for that matter. He has a lot to learn, true, but from all appearances he is willing to do so, unlike the aforementioned.

 

Neither do half the ones on here that are screaming for it either, Timbo.

Sailed with Matt yesterday.. You should come out with us sometime and do some real sailing. Rum and everything at the finish.

 

In fact, they did.

1. Prior to BK, they agreed to a 12% targeted DC plan in return for a soft freeze on our A plan.
2. In BK, they agreed to a $2.1B stock grant upon exiting BK in return for the overall concessions we took, both before and in BK.
3. In BK, they agreed to a $650 cash payment if our frozen A plan was terminated.
4. In BK, they agreed to the profit sharing plan we have today (minus the 5% we gave up in C2012).
5. In BK, they agreed to annual pay increases beginning January 1, 2007.

While these concessions on the part of Delta certainly did not make us whole by any means, they did help "pay" for some of the concessions we took.

 

Agreed. But I don't believe that Delta made as much money last year as they had in the late 90's leading up to C2K in adjusted dollars. We're just now there this year. I heard at the roadshow recently that we're on track to almost double the profit sharing we got last year.

Wouldn't that plus some kind of hourly pay increase, more vacation, etc., at least get us close?

 

Never let facts stand in the way of a good internet tirade.

 

That is true, however I kinda disagree. I'm an '07 hire which means I haven't lost anything in the BK. However, I came here (from another major btw) with the expectation that at some point we could be back to pre BK wages. So while I may not have a "dog" in the fight, that doesn't mean I shouldn't want restoration. Hope that made sense.

 

Maybe ma Delta should implement a "pilot fee" and stick that on the price of a ticket. Either that or they should just let us hold out a tip jar.

 

Bing"f'en"O,Timbo!
+777-300ER