We are already in the big productivity demand era and it won't be ending until way after I'm gone (2023).

QOL comes in all shapes and sizes. IIRC, when I said this pay raise would allow a pilot to drop a trip every other month (conservatively) and make the same money as s/he did last year, you said that was exactly your plan. IMO that is by far the biggest QOL gain that dwarfs any QOL losses.

Denny

It is my plan. Part of the plan requires my ability to manipulate my schedule, which will be more difficult under the TA. Trips pulled from open time will reduce that. Virtual bases will reduce that. I'm sure I will find a way to survive.

And the fact that we are retreating on SCOPE, SICK, and 3B4 doesn't help either. This sets us up poorly for the future.

i would argue that, on a percentage basis, VBs will not reduce the amount of open time so the likely hood of you being able to manipulate your schedule remains the same. The item that could reduce your choice is the OE trip pull provision. I would argue this item has been so watered down as to be essentially worthless. The problem with it is that it is the proverbial "camels nose under the tent" and we have to realize that.

3B4 affects QOL because it could cause a raise in pay. With this contract I don't see it having any bearing on our pay prior to entering into the next Section 6 negotiations so I see it as having no effect on QOL for this contract duration. Sick leave I think is a wash for QOL. Guys who verify the first 100 hours now will just have to verify the second 100 hours. Yes, I know it is nice to verify if you are going into the Dr anyway, but it's just not that big of a deal to me based on my sick leave usage and I've ended up using more this calendar year than I ever have. Scope can have a big effect on QOL. This is where I could see your QOL argument gaining a bit of steam.

With the results in from yesterday, I think we would be very foolish not to approve this contract. YMMV

Denny

Not arguing, but interested in how you arrived at that conclusion. What about DL makes us more resilient to a big downturn compared to UA/AA?

Yeah but those who roll usually end up working as much or less than if they didn't roll. Most of the time on their original work days (for both RT and RC).

I have heard some guys say the same thing. Pretty sure it has to do with debt servicing which is a huge advantage for DAL.

Scoop

We may be healthier in a downturn, financially, but if passengers show up in lesser numbers, you can bet we will park as many aircraft as UAL or AAL

Respectfully disagree, sir. The debt servicing differential (which is in excess of $15 Billion) plus the older fleet (i.e., not paying high lease or ownership cost for new aircraft) make Delta poised to weather a downturn without parking an equal amount of planes.

Yeah, but we will be parking smaller aircraft, so we've got that going for us ;)

Debt

Much better product.