WTH?

NO DONUTS ON FRIDAYS?

need to add delta backstopping the pbgc benefit.

Also forgot about pension re-establishment.......medical and dental benefits across the board are still weak. I will have more when I have time to study this.

Not sure about the point of adding 2 days of vacation without an appreciable increase in vaca day pay.

Training, vaca ... it should all be 5:15.

Otherwise pleasantly surprised.

But what about ... "This is the best we're going to get," and "PBEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!":D

This one is aggressive but still within the realm of reasonableness. In a true opener, reasonableness might not be your goal because you expect to negotiate down from there and meet somewhere in the middle. Coming on the heels of an overwhelming TA rejection and union upheaval, though, maybe you try to get management to bite on your opener before going down a longer & more difficult road (i.e. unleashing the dogs). This opener is something that, under certain circumstances, RA could defend to the shareholders. One of those circumstances might be a United snap-up. Well, guess what their new TA includes? Think their NC was talking to our NC?

No reporting on Deltanet about the re-engagement with the pilots union yet. I can't wait to see the characterization of the opener or expectations for the pace of negotiations.

I think you're spot on here.

Carl

I like this. Twice I've had recurrent and vacation in the same month. Don't love it.

I see this as the bare minimum with absolutely no room to "negotiate down." Let's not get too excited about this. There are still some gaping inadequacies.

The void in mentioning health care is surprising. My seat-o-pants meter pegged it as a hot button issue with a lot of us. Delta lags many in the industry in both quality and cost. And the best plans we have are offered at will of the company, not through our PWA. Gains in pay could be significantly eroded, either incrementally or suddenly, if health care is not contained.

I was also looking for something innovative in retirement benefits. Like the annuity concept that was tossed around a bit. Stepping from 15% to 18% in the DPSP is really just a 3% pay raise for everyone that hits 415C maximums (which will be all captains, WB copilots and many high achievers in the domestic right seat if they make maximum personal contributions). Not saying another 3% wage increase is bad, it's just not a retirement solution.

Like others have said, this proposal would fly if stamped as-is tomorrow. But there's not much room for compromise. All said, it's very refreshing compared to what was put forth in June.

So, they are proposing:

- 22%/7%/& 7%
- For all of the draconian (and embarrassing) sick leave language from TA 1 to be removed.
- LCA/FO flying to remain what it is now.
- More vacation.
- No change in the profit sharing formula.
- and many other "pluses"

AND they are publicizing the openers?

Mr. New Chairman and New Negotiating Committee -- Nice job. :D

(I apologize for doubting your survey.)



I think Sailing and all the other naysayers, so far, have been proven wrong. :)