Delta STRIKE. . WHEN??
 

OK. . my sister contacted me last night to say that the family reunion was planned in West Palm Beach and she was flying down from BOS -from May 14 to May 21.

I got on Travelocity.com this AM to see how I could get from SAN to FLL in the cheapest, most expedient way -and liked the DAL pairings.

THEN, I happened to pass through my YAHOO News page . .and it jumped right out at me "DAL pilots authorize Strike!" . . well . . good on you .. boys! Glad you got the cajones . . but . . this cheap, Yankee retired captain would like to know IF i can plan my trip for May 14-21 and not be worried that is going to be right in the middle of picketing.

Anyone have an inside on when a strike might come down .. if it gets that far?

This was a formal authorization only, and in reality you will never see a walkout by the pilots.

Hey Captian Drew,

Go try JetBlue. SAN-IAD-FLL. Might work for ya :)

Deterrence
 

I think you're right, not because the pilots are unwilling, but precisely because they are ENTIRELY willing. Those strike vote numbers were awesome. I predict management will, at the last minute, agree to count the non-funding of pensions as part of the pilot concessions and compromise on whatever difference remains. (Unless, of course, they actually WANT a Chapter 7 liquidation, for reasons that can only be guessed at.)

A union that is totally ready to strike probably won't have to.

Its amazing what you can do when you have the RIGHT people in charge of an MEC. Are you reading this USAirways MEC. Ahhh probably not, they are probably thinking of things to give back to the company so they can save it again

Those arrogant b@stards are making decisions for people that don't want them making decisions. My job depends upon your sorry ass suffering through live at an AVERAGE of over $130,000 AFTER the cuts management seeks. I like my job as a regional pilot, I like my pay, I like my future, but if you a**holes strike I'm out of work.

It is not your place to decide what are appropriate wages for ME. Don't like your pay? QUIT you chicken sh!t. Don't strike and take the 45,000 other Delta employees jobs with you.

Think you can make more money elswhere? Then do it you arrogant pr!ck. Don't kill my regional airline just because you SOCIALISTS think that you can run the company better than management.

Don't like a free market, capitalist society? Move to France. Those socialists got it gooooooooood.

And another thing while you've got me p!ssed off. Why is it a free market attitude is a "kool aid drinker" but all of you communists who toe the union line are not? Name a successful ALPA airline. You can't. Oh wait, Mesa, but everyone loves to crucify them for not demanding 18 days off a month and $75k starting FO pay.

With executives coming from so many different universities, personal backgrounds, and work experience, why is it that NONE OF THEM CAN MAKE AN ALPA AIRLINE PROFITABLE? Are they all idiots? Or is it the monolithic ALPA that demands impossible wages, work rules and scope? ALPA's motto should be "everyone's stupid but me!" You communists are the cool-aid drinkers.

I'll ask you an easier question. Name a profitable union INDUSTRY! You can't. Unions may have had a place when 12 year old kids were working 80 hours a week in coal mines but no more.

If blacksmiths had a union we'd still be riding horses to work.

America gives you the opportunity to seek any other career you wish, or even another employer who may pay you more to fly. Go find them, don't kill Delta and take tens of thousands of Delta and Regional jobs with you.

sarcasticpasti, take a chill pill, you may be in the wrong industry, before you start spewing chunks all over ALPA,and the unions in this country in general,do a little research,read "Flying the line",look at labor conditions nationwide before the trade unions were created out of dire necessity.The Delta pilots have the right to do what they think is right for their families,themselves,and their profession, you are not a Delta pilot,you have no right to judge them.If you have been reading the fine print in the DAL deliberations you will see that the cause of 99.9 percent of Deltas problems is,and was managerial incompetence.The pilots are always an easy target because of salaries,benefits,and lets face it out,and out envy. You yourself mount up in your cockpit everyday,you yourself are directly responsible for the health and well being of those who ride with you.What do you think that trust and confidence is worth? Do you think you are fairly compensated? The only way to ensure adequate and equitable compensation is the collective bargaining process,and yes,the strike is the nuke in the arsenal, the Delta men and ladies have the right to vote to walk if they deem managements actions as intolerable. You should know better than to panic, and swallow management propaganda hook,line,and sinker. God speed,I hope all works out for both the Delta pilots and for you,may you make it to the left seat of the Airbus,or Boeing you desire,cheers.

IMO, a very accurate statement.

Fair Compensation
 

What is "fair Compensation" anyway? If an LCC shadows the same routes as a legacy but pays its pilots one half the wages it would seem that something is out of balance. Perhaps the market is the proper place for collective bargaining? I am sure that Airtran doesnt mind if Delta strikes.

SkyHigh

Sarcasticpasti.........You love your job you say..........Who do you think got you the work rules.........Management sure the hell didnt just hand them over to you because they thought you deserved them!

not a salient point

sarcastic,

As a active DAL captain, I do not have the time, energy, or desire to worry about your sorry a**. Get a real flying job.

Thanks to all who support us, you must fly real airplanes.

remlap

Real Planes
 

You guys fly real planes with fantasy pay scales I guess.

SkyHigh

I think you need to take a look at what a union did for history 20 years ago in Eastern Europe to the Iron Curtain. You call people names and have not a clue.
There is a spot for you in the CoolAid drinkers line but I think you would do well portioning it out.
Your regional job exists because of Airlines like Delta.
Take your attitude and all your certificates and go to the nearest library and do some research.

Battle
 

Universally in the industry today I think we are in a battle between the "haves" (Legacy) and the "Have Nots" (LCC and Regionals). In past generations everyone expected to make it to the legacy carriers someday therefore they had more solidarity. Now most realize that they will not. The results are that the "Have Nots" are willing to undercut the Legacy guys in order to secure their own piece of the pie. It is difficult for a person who has already topped out as a regional Captain to feel any sympathy for a Delta Captain who is probably earning three times the salary.

SkyHigh

Union of One

That’s the 1st place I looked. Also checked LGG/FLL too and:

Their lowest fare is $200+ more than DAL and DAL has a ‘direct’ flight where you don’t have to change planes in DFW or ATL.

I told you I was the typical cheap airline captain, no? It’s in the DNA :D

That sums up Skyhigh's position..............Oneway


He doesn't seem to realize that if the Majors' contracts and salaries go down
Regional Salaries and benefits go down.............................................

So you have no plans to step up to a major if offered a job? I doubt that very much. The Major jobs will always be out there as people will always have to retire.

The short-sightedness of yours and that idiot sarcastic are amazing. I'd be willing to bet you'd jump at a job in the big leagues. I never aspired to work for peanuts in some cramped RJ for the rest of my career. I'd have walked away from the job if that's as far as I got.

I'm here at the majors and have every right to defend what I've earned even if it means sarcastic loses his commuter job.

I completely support the Delta & NWA Professional Aviators as they're fellow Pilots who deserve nothing less than that.

Shame on all you opportunists who only wonder "what's in it for me". A healthy career with a top-notch contract awaits you if you only had the gonads to look beyond the glareshield of your Embraer.

This is not a very professional comment. "Fly real airplanes"? I suppose all regional guys fly fantasy airplanes.

Not when you consider the comments of the person it was aimed at. It was well deserved!

People in this camp live in a fantasy world . .and don’t deserve a ‘professional’ response. They are dragging down the industry and take pot shots at ‘union’ advocates, who are only trying to make a better life for everyone.

Sky high ( or LOW IMHO) you are the one that keeps whining about why he quit the industry, because of low pay.............................Us Professionals are simply trying to defend the industry and our carriers........nothing more.

Maybe you need to look at what the current pay scales of NWA and DAL............and what DAL MGT is demanding!..................Fantasy??

Your simply a hypocrit with a chip his shoulder.

Stike
 

I am currently at the regional level, and love to fly every chance i get. This doesnt mean that I will work for free though.

Staying open minded to everyones thoughts are important. On one hand I can understand guys at US and other carriers not wanting to strike because of fear of lossing there job all together. You have to look out for your family and well being.

But God damn I love you Delta guys for what your doing, i wish everyone saw the big picture. I think its more than money, these ********* bean counters with there ivy league education want to push pilots around for their ****ups. People like that are always the first to blame somebody else and have no loyalty. Just think if all the airlines would stand up to this crap, people will always need to fly and the real reason for all are problems is not a lack of costumers, its pilots with little character allowing managment and LCC to run this industry into the ground.

Come on, we have all worked so hard to get are ratings, a degree, living on almost nothing the first year at a regional and getting stressed out for that next checkride or PC. I would reather lose all that Ive worked for then get paid the wage of a city bus driver. We need to take a stand before its to late.

I want you Delta guys to know how proud you make me and I know there are thousands of other pilots who feel the same way.

Hey Sky,when you rejoin our ranks,and I hope you do, then spread all the whine,and woe you want,its a free country,but right now its just starting to sound like sour grapes.

It's a high stakes time in this business and emotions run high obviously. My take on remlap's comment G-Dog is that he doesn't appreciate having HIS contract and HIS decisions criticized by outside critics - particularly by ignorant folks like sarcasticignorant - It's their deal not ours. Don't take his response to sarcastic too personal. Sarcastic deserved it and more. Everyone is aware that the decisions made by the Delta pilots will affect others but very few of us in this business are immune to the effects of others decisions. Do your part to make YOUR contract what you want it to be but let the Delta guys work through their tough dilemma without having to hear from guys like sarcasticignorant or all about SkyHigh's Zen Fatalism. The Delta pilots are fighting a noble cause that will benefit us all. Give them support not grief!

Hear, Hear..................

AMEN, Brother !

All the Delta guys have my vote, you guys have the balls that I wish many at US Airways had.

Simmer, simmer...
 

Easy there buddy, running a little low on ritalin are ya? Are you one of those guys that will tell me with a straight face that "when a company makes a profit it is because of the management team, and when a company is losing money it is because of labor"? I thought so.

From your reasoning only about 10 people in any corporation deserve to make any money; the CEO, COO, CFO and their closest managers. If that is how you truly feel, you picked the wrong career. You should be one of those guys, as a matter of fact it is not too late yet, go back to school and get your ******* degree and sign up. I am sure there would be room for more psychopaths like you in Americas corporations.

I, for one, don't need you to preach capitalism to me! I know what capitalism is about; the airlines want a skill, I have it, they pay the price we (unions) set. That is capitalism dillhole! You need to start thinking like a capitalist. You are the one thinking like a communist. A capitalist considers what's in it for him without killing off the corporation (much like a successful virus or parasite). A communist considers what's best for the collective (corporation) without much regard for him/herself. As a capitalist it is your duty to charge a corporation for your services. Do it!

[QUOTE=sarcasticspasti]. Name a successful ALPA airline. QUOTE]

HHHHmmmmmm LET'S see..FedEX is one.

UPS is another........True they are not ALPA they are IPA and the Brotherhood of Teamsters........

Southwest is another.........Yeap they aren't ALP but they are the most heavily Unionized Carrier............and currently the Highest Paid.

Unions aren't the problem big boy

All government agencies (postal, teaching, defence to nam a few) have a union. UAW seems to be doing alright. SAG is doin pretty good to. If you dont like it listen to yourself and move on. You can be a server at fridays and never have to worry about a union again.

Hey I am Back !!!
 

Sorry to be away.

My postings are from my own observations. I understand that you Delta guys are fighting for what you think is your rightful place in the industry however those on the outside for the most part don't agree. It seems to me that the pay scales of the regionals and the majors are coming closer together. I can't think of a single example of when a pay raise at the majors resulted in a raise at the regionals. You union guys have a crazy way of thinking that doesnt seemed matched with reality. Go ahead and strike. There are too many available seats anyway.

SkyHigh

World View
 

I don't see the world as I want it to be, I call it like it is. Yup, the pay is too low. Lower than I will risk my families happiness over, but pounding my fist on the table and claiming that it isn't so will not change anything. The latest generation is prepared to be poor for their career. I can't help that. The only choice available to me is to opt out. I don't see how that makes me a hypocrite. I am only stating what is obvious to everyone else.

I am sure that what management is demanding is frightening to someone who is use to earning a quarter of a million dollars per year, but to a poor regional or LCC pilot even half of a Delta Captains pay would seem like a fortune. I am sure that Delta's management is only trying to find parity with its competitors.

I don't have a chip. If I did I would have to get in line behind a few thousand people who wouldn't mind too much if some of your ivory towers were shortened a bit.


SkyHigh

Majors???
 

Sure I would jump at a chance to fly for Alaska Air, the rest I am not so sure about. I don't make the news I just make my opinions as I see it. Way back in 1997 a former employer at a corporate/charter company told me that the legacy airlines were going to cave in due to top heavy non-competitive pay scales. He went on to give details about how the downfall would come and what the results would be. Back then there was no way I would have believed him, but darn if he wasn't right on the mark. The day of the "top notch" contracts are over. The airline pilot is sinking to the bottom rungs of status and pay. I can't help it. It isn't my fault. If Delta strikes and the company chooses chapter 7 over concessions then it is over for everyone. Who will risk the same fate? APLA management might as well clean out the safe and move to Mexico.

SkyHigh

Your reality skyhigh, you have chosen your path, ride it like a man, but to a bunch of us,you are a bit of a crank,a lofty ,high minded one,but a crank just the same. just calling it like it is.

Happy
 

I am sure that my message isn't popular, but I am not here to run for congress.

SkyHigh

Delta Chapter 7
 

I agree with SkyHigh. I cannot believe that all the Delta pilots would take themselves down and all of the employees at Delta, too. But, I bet they will do it!!!

Sky,Why are you here? Do you see your self as a lonely voice of truth (please get over yourself),or something?

Good post Skyhigh. I worked for Deloitte (the company that does the books for Delta) this summer and I had some interaction with their Financials, and they aren't pretty...high operating costs, lots of debt, and tapped out lines of credit...y'all can't borrow anymore money, folks!

Whether the airline is in this position through the fault of management or not can most certainly be debated, but that doesn't change the fact that the company needs to drastically reduce costs. Point is, I'm not sure management has any other option if they want the airline to keep flying. Anyway, just some food for thought...best of luck. I hope it all gets worked out.

Just don't get it and a note to Sky AGAIN
 

Delta pilots are on the front lines looking the enemy in the eye. They are in the unenviable position of defending not only their own career but those of us watching from the foxholes. It just so happens that their number came up in this "screw the employees" era and they have chosen to stand and fight unlike others. Anyone who accuses them of looking out for themselves has a shallow view of the situation. The fight going on at Delta will have a profound effect on all of our careers and we should all be a little more careful in criticising something that potentially may stop or reverse this ugly concessionary trend that has gained so much momentum. Step back and look at the big picture and this fight will gain more importance and hopefully more respect for their plight.

First of all Skyhigh, nobody gives a damn what you think. You just keep coming back for more and somehow think we gain from your miserable life - we don't. You have turned this forum into a personal little game of dream destruction and misery propagation. After 600 or 700 posts we get it OK. You must crawl in bed each night just glowing at how much worthless sh!t you spread. I thank God I don't have to be around you or work with you. I can assure you that you would never be in my cockpit more than once. Don't you get it when post after post after post after post tells you to get lost and get a life. How dense are you?
On behalf of the professional pilots on this forum I implore you AGAIN to go away. As of today I will no longer respond or acknowledge any post from this idiot. Any others care to join me?

Any aspiring pilot on this forum can do themselves a huge favor and completely disregard every single thing that is posted from Skyhigh. This is an industry that will survive and be made stronger from the struggles that are going on today. Stick with it and keep the faith.