Guys from the NN on work-rules:

"These changes will likely result in a contractual staffing reduction of approximately 300 pilots. However, the Pilot Retirement Medical Account Program (See Negotiators’ Notepad 12-07) and other changes to the PWA such as the increases to the staffing formula and to vacation and CQ training pay are expected to more than compensate for
this reduction."


While this is written to look neutral it is a big negative in my opinion. If nothing changed we would all advance accordingly when these "300" guys retired. It may not have be for 2 or three years but the advancement would then be a permanent improvement.

Now it will take approximately 300 retirees to just break even and we will "lose" the same advancement when those 300 guys would have retired in two or three years.

Am I making a mistake in my logic, or is trading productivity for an early retirement program a big loser in the long term?


Scoop

 

I was actually pondering over this exact same thing earlier today... and came to the identical conclusion.

It's a very simple deduction and only takes one step back to see the big picture.

 

Yup. I hope people are actually paying attention to these NN messages and reading them critically. I really wish our union was in the business of informing us. Not pushing a product on us. True representatives, not salespeople.

 

Many on here need to go to a roadshow. The airline is only perfectly staffed for two months of the year, July and August, and then we are over staffed for the rest of the year. There were plenty of lines given this past spring and winter worth less than 70 hours. That is unproductive for the company, and for line holders. The TA won't cause every reserve to fly 99 hours a month, but it will give more certainty about getting a line to bottom line holders.

How about the part about getting rid of trip parking? In the TA, you'd have to send the parked trip back through PCS first, allowing everyone a chance at the trip. That is another gain in this TA some overlook.

 

Bottom line, and its already been said, the proposed reserve rules permanently reduce pilot head count by 300 or more throughout all categories forever (this is not a one time deal folks....it negatively affects the number of pilots at Delta as long as it is in effect which could be well beyond when each of us retire). Its a boon for the company and a bust for the pilots. Just say NO.

Helping fill the companies reserve productivity want list is not part of a restorative contract. Many guys want the ability to bid reserve and fly less in the winter. Its an option. Options are good things for pilots. Let's not give more options away please.

 

Do they also need to go to a roadshow to learn that they ought to solve all the company's problems while being minimally compensated for it?

 

Bottom line is we're giving up QOL PERMANENTLY, for early retirements, which is short term. Stop helping to run the company. Our job is to fly jets from point A to point B. Next they're gonna want us to pay for crew meals as well.

 

Why not, with DALPA we are willing to help the company with their uneconomical, worn out RJ problem. We can help them cut reserve staffing to the bone throughout the whole year.

I just want to know when we can give up more work rules and allow more large RJ's to help finance a widebody replacement program. I am guessing we wont have to wait long....maybe three years until the next contract to help them with that. Something to look forward too anyway. Constructive engagement is great once you get over the part where you are getting short changed at every corner.

 

Unless I'm mistaken theses are called negotiations not demands. The company is always going to want increased productivity and they bought it with the increased pay for reserves. The company is cranking up hiring in the first quarter of next year to man the 717's and replace the early outs to try and even out the coming mass exodous unless the TA doesn't pass, then unless you're a fly on Richards wall it's all speculation beyond that.

 

So, you want 65 hour lines every month except July and August, forever? I don't. Many guys also wanted 75 hours of pay on reserve, but can't believe it if that means they might actually fly 75 hours! We all want total restoration, except some want all of it now, when every other legacy hasn't helped at all. But, we can do it for them! (again). It's time to be realistic and go for realistic gains that do add up with shorter contracts.