Originally Posted by Karnak

I want to see you on record as admitting that the rates at other airlines don't matter to you.

Originally Posted by DAL 88 Driver

I really, honestly, do not care what anyone else makes. 50% above the 2004 MD-88 Captain rate would put me at $356/hour. Yes, I would be more than happy with that! It's more than I even expect. This isn't a competition. This is about getting appropriate compensation for the job we do, the responsibility we have, and for the sacrifices we've all made to get to this point in our careers. Whether you look at 2004 (C2K) rates or, for example, 1986 rates... they come out about the same in terms of buying power. There was a standard of living provided by this profession that was pretty well established for decades. That standard of living was decimated through the bankruptcy process. And DALPA has spent the past almost decade acting as if bankruptcy has established a "new normal." There's lots of blame to go around for why we took the cuts in the first place. But like many things in life, it's how you respond to adversity that really defines you. At this point, I believe most of the blame lies squarely at the feet of DALPA. They have responded very poorly.

A 34% pay cut is not appropriate today. I don't think it was even appropriate for bankruptcy (it was too much), but it's certainly not appropriate now with our company making billions in profits!

Originally Posted by DAL 88 Driver

Your thinking is so one dimensional. I didn't say anything about SWA pay being our entire argument. It's just one thing that contributes to the case for restoration. Other carriers with pilots making less are also not nearly as profitable as Delta. Also, many of those carrier's pilots took extreme pay cuts in their company's bankruptcies and should be making more than what they're making now too. You are under the (false) impression that there is some rule in business that says employee costs have to be equal between companies. This is simply not true.

But go ahead and resign yourself to bankruptcy level compensation as a new normal. I'm not going to change your mind.

Originally Posted by tsquare

And lastly, I don't know about yours, but my income is well above bankruptcy level. It all counts.

Originally Posted by DAL 88 Driver

I know someone else who's income is well above bankruptcy level...

2012 Form 990

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we're at a 34% pay CUT in buying power. Glad he's getting such phenomenal results for us too!

Originally Posted by tsquare

Sigh. I couldn't care less about that. I guess maybe I don't care about bling either. I have been saving the biggest chunk of my pay since I have been hired, and my wife and I are not consumers. So maybe.... that is why none of this bothers me as much. I drive old cars.... the new one is a 2001, but everything I own is paid for. I would like to buy a boat, but that is on hold until I retire. The bills are paid, I eat well... the market is up, and since I pay attention to my investments, they are serving me pretty well too.

Originally Posted by full of luv

Well that's a lot easier if you keep your expenses low like your TN pic shows, or is that your lake house?

Originally Posted by DAL 88 Driver

And I'd like for the Easter Bunny to bring me a new car.

I've already explained this once. Maybe you didn't read/comprehend it? Or maybe you just forgot what you asked me in the first place.