Delta-Northwest Merger in 'Jeopardy'?
 

Interesting article.

Later in the article, this...

DAL is the aquiring carrier yet we go to the bottom of the list? Yea right.

I don't think the threat of unhappy pilots will stop management when they get a whiff of that 20 billion.

You'd be suprised at the screw jobs that has "pass muster" over the years from mergers.

I Just read the whole article. Google it. Aren't these senior pilot negotiotors probably the same guys that people say would be bought out in the merger. DAL has probably hired between 500-700 pilots since 2007. That would make the "thousands to the bottom" guys pre 9-11 hires by years. NWA was hiring at that time also and continues today. Why should their equivelent hires get seniority over DAL's. NWA pilots would already be receiving DAL's better base pay, retirement plan kickers and access to bigger equipment (ie pay) because of their relative seniority since DAL is putting new hires into 76-ER's. Sounds like these guys are shooting for the moon. The article mentioned "a pay raise for some" which I imagine is either the NWA guys onto the DAL payscale or a raise for senior DAL guys trying to split the union group so enough DAL guys will support. I am at the very bottom so that is where I will stay but I do not want to see my friends (and guys I don't know) who have been at DAL for 7-10 years get staples behind a guy who has been at NWA for less time.

Obviously we are reacting to a news story and this is exactly the reason ALPA wants this keep quiet while they work through a difficult negotiation. Bottom line is that I'm trusting my Reps to do the right thing. However, the attitudes from some who have written on this board surprise me.

NWA pilots are saying Delta pilots have a sense of entitlement and feel like they are "owed a job."

Truth is, yes, I have a job, a good job that I like. I'm just hoping to keep my current position and domicile in this merger.

Lets see, NWA is parking aircraft and wants:

AA bought TWA, stapled 60% of the list, then parked AA's Fokkers and 727's. TWA's 757 pilots, including some Captains, went to the street. I can see management refusing to go along with NWA's plan just due to the resulting displacement bids as the DC-9 flying is outsourced to Compass and Mesaba with "NO" (to quote Steenland) restriction.

I would like to see this flying performed by pilots on the combined seniority list and have asked about scope changes. How the permitted aircraft conflicts will be resolved? Replies from both sides that Section 1 is not being re-opened.

Obviously merging into the World's Largest Airline is complex and has threats that need to be carefully considered. I'm very pleased that the Captains at the table are keeping this thing chocked and not getting rushed for departure.

The best kind of status quo is status quo. We can realize all the benefits of a merger through code share and strategic partnerships.

Lets go beat the competition the old fashioned way, with better execution, service and efficiency.

Don't forget this article is written by a person that thinks seniority equals age. Who has no idea about the complexities concerning pilot seniority and integration. Is getting their information from the cocktail waitresses cousin who happened to over hear what two NWA pilots said at a strip club in Anchorage.

jdt30 -

Maybe. Maybe not. ALPA has kept a very tight lid on this - so who knows what the source is?

I wish you guys the best of luck both, NWA and DAL. I'll be going through the same crap shortly after your merger announcement.

Acquiring? I don't think so. This is a merger of equals. By all accounts it will be a stock swap deal. No acquiring going on here.