captain_drew

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?

RockBottom

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

IronWalt

Hey Captian Drew,

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

tomgoodman

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.

IronWalt

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

sarcasticspasti

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.

sarcasticspasti

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.

727C47

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.

fireman0174

IMO, a very accurate statement.

SkyHigh

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