Originally Posted by kwri10s

Interesting read until I realized that almost all the items listed are completely different today from their 1983 counterparts. If you want to compare apples to apples you need to do just that. The milk you used as your example, is today infused with bGH so the cows can produce more volume and be milked more often, which allows dairies to lower the cost by producing a lower quality milk. You will need to compare Organic milk today with 1983 ($5+). Same with the Mustang. by the late 80s you could buy a lower quality Mustang. You have to compare the top of the line version to the 1983 version. That drastically changes the numbers. The 2012 version was $30,000 not $22,000 a 35% difference. Same for College costs, big Mac, etc.

Do I think real inflation is 6%. Probably not. But it is not as low at 2.9%. But the issue for me is what is the real cost to me out of my pocket. As I now get killed with AMT and I have less take home to spend on the same things that cost more then they did at the last contract. If I cannot afford to buy the same car that I did in the last contract without deducting from something else in my family budget, then my own personal financial improvement is negative. If I now have to buy the lower quality option, then that means my relative financial station is decreasing.

Throw in a few of the other massive give backs that have already been touched on, and I cannot project my personal financial well being improved from where it is now if I am working under this new contract.

Originally Posted by machz990

Emirates, Cathay, KAL, Quantas, Singapore, Thai, China Southern, etc. all have first class cabins and lounges. The seats are bigger, usually a cubicle or private suite, and real rest can be had vs. tossing and turning. American carriers aren't in the same league. They have no idea what service is

Originally Posted by TheBaron Deux

I paid right at $15k for my 1985 Mustang GT, top of the line back then,

Originally Posted by TheBaron Deux

Not always. Took an Emirates from Dubai to CAN and it was business only, the service was mediocre and the seats were identical to Delta. Disappointed because my previous deadhead was on Emirates A-380 1st class.

Originally Posted by TheBaron Deux

My 80" flatscreen cost $1000 less than the 50" it replaced. Yes, some things are more expensive; I almost never buy T-bone steaks anymore. Just as many have either gone down drastically for the same level of quality, or they have improved considerably for the same price. Is your $200 iPhone 6 no better than the $200 iPhone 4 you had in 2011? Everyone keeps focusing on what they perceive as givebacks and ignoring all the gains, or dismissing them as beneath us.

Originally Posted by gcsass

I couldn't help but notice that all the things you tout as being cheaper....Mustang, flat screen TV, iPhone are once a year (or less) purchases. I also couldn't help but notice that the one item you said you rarely buy due to cost was the food item. I went to Safeway a couple of weeks ago to buy a box of butter sticks. It cost almost $5. I also noticed that while price has remained constant on many items you actually get less quantity now. I agree Costco is awesome but when shopping for 2 Costco just isn't always practical.

Originally Posted by MaydayMark

Maybe it's just me but ... I've owned 3 Mustangs over the years and I'm not the least bit concerned about how much they cost in 1985?

I'm more than a little bit concerned about what "stuff" will cost in 2025. I don't think it's likely we'll have another TA before then!*?

Originally Posted by TheBaron Deux

Mark, my point was that a Mustang (or probably most newer cars) haven't gone up 3% a year and they are greatly improved. What they will cost in 2025 is anybodies guess. And no matter how this vote goes, I doubt we'll have another contract much before 2025. If it gets voted down I wouldn't plan on seeing another TA until after peak of 2016. It will take 3-4 months to spool up another Negotiating Committee and come up with a new catch phrase for the lanyards.