Originally Posted by Ed Harley (Post 1904686)

I'm fairly certain that if our TA is approved, then all the other employee groups will get a modest pay raise too. It will be a necessity for Delta to keep the peace.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid (Post 1904418)

Here's the thing. You need a solid retort to flip pilots and even then money is going to trump everything with certain pilots.

My buddy texted me today that on the ATL320 his Captain said "I'm too old to wait around for pay raises." Well, what about sick leave? Doesn't matter, I'll get a Doctors note. But... doesn't matter... but... doesn't matter... but. And so on.

Basically, if you want this voted down split in two and charge both directions.

First, whether you're a Captain or an FO, you go after the FOs and the removal of trips. Get your hands on the names of LCA, take the July category wide report for July and scratch off every trip of a LCA. Show that to FOs and at roadshows. If it's as bad as it probably is, it may get some attention. FOs are 53% or so of the pilot group.

Second, you go after any pilot with WIDEBODY LIFE stickers on the back of their car and this JV language. If the data is what we think then you have enough ammo to scare some pilots that their future aspirations are in jeopardy. The data has to be really good and not stretched, something that the NC/MEC can't debunk. If they think they're being manipulated they'll just focus on the pay raises and vote yes.

If you go DPA, guys will tune out. I wouldn't even go after the company, I mean I fully expect them to want us to fly for free and never be sick. The focus just has to be about the TA and mindset of a MEC Chairman and NC that agreed to it and how they need to try again. The MEC does have a Plan B and have openly said so.

Originally Posted by MOTOJOE (Post 1904714)

Let everyone know that in section 14 of the new TA. Besides the 15 days sick look back in 365 days. There is also the invasion of your privacy look back. This is retroactive day of signing. 24 days sick in 365 and 52 days sick in 3yr look back. Delta now will have access to all your medical and prescription and anything else records!!! Basically cart blanch to your private life. Vote NO!

Originally Posted by gzsg (Post 1904691)

From my experience in a democracy gaining the support of the middle 20% is the key to victory. Most of the time the 40% on either end are entrenched and will not have their minds changed. I know this because I hold an elected office in the state I live in and have held it for nearly eight years. (Not the guy in SLC with the same name BTW). When I am campaigning I need to not only find those middle 20% folks but I need to convince them that I am not only correct in my views but also trustworthy and deserving of their support.



Here is the part where I am going to totally open my self up. I have never voted no on a contract since I was hired by Delta in 1999. I am a fairly emotional person. I wear it right out there on my sleeve. If you have ever flown with me you know how much I love flying and how much I love Delta Air Lines. You know that I have wanted to be a pilot for Delta since I was ten years old. I reached my dream via Learjet’s in South Florida, L1011’s for a company in Miami and Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong. Fulfilling my dream of being a captain for Delta happened in January of this year.



I am the guy who stands at the gate and makes the IROPS PA’s. I am the guy who stands in the doorway or jet way during deplaning and boarding. I am the guy who makes sure the cabin crew eats. I am the guy who thanks the platinum’s and the diamond HVC’s for their loyalty. I tell them thank you for buying tickets so I can pay the mortgage on my home. When I put my 13 and 11-year-old boys to bed at night they pray for Richard Anderson and his family by name. They pray for every one of you every night. They pray for your safety and that you will make good decisions no matter what. I am that guy. I do not say this to lift myself up. I say it so you know my heart and how much I love what I do for Delta.



We need to find those middle 20% and convince them that this TA is wrong. I believe it to not only be wrong from the point of view of bad representation but I believe it to be unjustified. Many people had to purposefully make the decision to bring us this TA. Those people are in one of those groups of 40%. We can defeat them if we find the middle 20%. It can be done. Just look to your left or right. They are sitting right there.



When we deliver our message about our feelings we need to lead with how much we love our jobs and how much we love Delta. If we do that people will listen. Remember if they reject you without a fair hearing they are in the 40%. Move on. Find the 20%.



If you look back in history Ronald Reagan told America how great we were at one of the lowest points in modern American history. We needed to change some things. We listened and we let him do it. He laid the foundation for defeating Communism and it changed the world. Many of you reading this letter helped him do it. Our mission, in a way, is similar. We have to tell others how great flying for Delta is all the while telling them how bad this TA is. Find the 20%, They will listen. It will work. I have done it.

I am voting no.

Tim Cosgrove

NYC73NA


__________________
Tim Cosgrove

Originally Posted by Hawaii50 (Post 1904721)

Nice post FTB. Trashing the company that pays our bills and let's us pay for our kids college education goes nowhere. DPA? Eyes glaze over. It's business. We need to get rid of the indignant emotion and treat it that way. We know why the company wanted to do this early I think. PS reduction so they can do the same for the rest of the employees. We know why the union wanted to settle early. They are firm believers that small consistent raises beat waiting for a homerun years down the road. The fact is we gain so little in this we lose very little by sending it back. We have leverage now that we may not ever have again. Business decision.