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757Driver 04-14-2008 05:52 PM

NWA ALPA's Take on the Merger
 
In This Hotline

NWA MEC Opposes NWA/DAL Merger Monday, April 14, 2008

Today the managements and Boards of Directors of Northwest and Delta Air Lines announced their intent to merge. In addition, a new pilot contract was agreed upon by the Delta MEC and Delta management without the participation of the Northwest pilot group. No details on this contract are available at present. The Northwest MEC strongly opposes the merger with Delta Air Lines as it stands.

Reasons for Opposition:

Northwest pilots will be disadvantaged in obtaining a joint contract and potentially in the seniority list integration process.
The current process is highly likely to recreate the USAirways-America West merger environment.
Northwest pilots are not brought to immediate parity with Delta pilots, potentially putting Northwest pilots on a B-Scale for years.


This merger announcement has come after months of negotiations which had resolved all joint pilot contract issues except for the differing views on the integration of pilot seniority. The NWA MEC, on numerous occasions, stated our willingness to resolve seniority integration by expedited arbitration. The Delta pilot leadership rejected arbitration as a means of resolving the seniority list issue at that time, but has now reversed its position. The Delta pilot leadership also abandoned the joint pilot contract approach and agreed to a new Delta pilot contract that increased the pay and benefits for their pilots only. Any previous value and synergy created by the merger is likely to be lost due to this one-sided agreement.



More information is available in a Ziplines from MEC Chairman Dave Stevens which will be published shortly.



This marks the end of today's Hotline.



Your MEC remains committed to protecting your jobs, your seniority and your future

Bucking Bar 04-14-2008 06:01 PM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363835)
In This Hotline

The Northwest MEC strongly opposes the merger with Delta Air Lines as it stands.

Northwest pilots will be disadvantaged in obtaining a joint contract and potentially in the seniority list integration process.

How will NWA pilots be disadvantaged in obtaining a joint contract? It is a joint contract. Both sides have to work together to get it.

Also, I do not understand why they are whining about not getting in on the rewards when all they have done is get in the way of a fair deal that would have benefitted their pilots. What have they done to deserve equity?

I know the average NWA pilot should not be painted with the same brush, but their leadership is lacking.

Of course the DAL MEC is working to protect and promote its advantage in arbitration. The DAL MEC did not want to go there (and still does not) but if forced to fight, they will fight effectively. What else would you expect?

Together we can build and benefit from the World's largest airline. Welcome aboard, just holster your pistol before boarding.

rvr350 04-14-2008 06:15 PM

It's sad that NWALPA leadership isn't seeing that there's nothing they can do to stop this merger. Steenland and his gangs are already set sail on their golden parachute, they leave just like any other CEO and his golf buddies, collecting all the sacrifices all the people at NWA have put in. It is time for our NWA brothers and sisters to start working with their new mgmt, our mgmt team in Atlanta to get a joint contract. The longer it takes us to do that, the harder it will be for us all to set the bar higher in the future.

Kingbird87 04-14-2008 06:18 PM

The Delta pilots went down cheap. This will be a classic whipsaw of labor, i.e. pilots to suppress union solidarity. What have we Northwest pilots done? We delivered this manna to RA through our draconian cuts, and our continued professional performance. I have 22 years flying the red tail for which I am grateful for the outstanding pilot group I have worked with. Now we will be Delta pilots and we will be the same professionals. But we won't trade our seniority for a few nuggets from RA. We will work for an equitable and fair integration, a combined industry leading contract and the best pilot group in the world. That is what Northwest pilots will do for Delta. And we know that RA does not represent our best interests, and if you Delta pilots think he is doing anything for your personal benefit, then we can give you a little bit of help reading your tea leaves. Best wishes to all combined Delta Airlines pilots.

757Driver 04-14-2008 06:28 PM


Originally Posted by Kingbird87 (Post 363873)
The Delta pilots went down cheap.

Sorry DAL types but I completely agree, 17% increase over 4 years. Is this the big reward for all of your givebacks?

Why the heck didn't you tell management to dust off the old proposal or its sand pounding time.

Un-Friggin-Believable.

staplegun 04-14-2008 06:31 PM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363887)
Sorry DAL types but I completely agree, 17% increase over 4 years. Is this the big reward for all of your givebacks?

Why the heck didn't you tell management to dust off the old proposal or its sand pounding time.

Un-Friggin-Believable.


Can't wait to see your UAL/CAL contract...:rolleyes:



Kevin

757Driver 04-14-2008 06:39 PM


Originally Posted by staplegun (Post 363895)
Can't wait to see your UAL/CAL contract...:rolleyes:



Kevin

Well apart from not kissing managements ass and telling the UAL boys how wonderful our management is, I will not be voting yes on anything that resembles the stinking pile of dung your MEC has deemed acceptable.

sailingfun 04-14-2008 06:40 PM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363887)
Sorry DAL types but I completely agree, 17% increase over 4 years. Is this the big reward for all of your givebacks?

Why the heck didn't you tell management to dust off the old proposal or its sand pounding time.

Un-Friggin-Believable.

Because they would have simply done the merger without us and we would have received nothing. Pretty simple. This is the first time in history of the airline industries pilots have received something from a merger. DALPA thought outside the box and started setting this up two years ago. Also keep in mind the average pilot will get 80,000 in equity that can become instant cash. Add that into the hourly rates for the next 4 years and they don't look so bad. Also keep in mind that this is only a LOA to the current contract. We have to negotiate a joint contract for the combined pilot group. THis sets a nice floor to start those negotiations from. I bet CAL copies Dalpa playbook in their merger.

757Driver 04-14-2008 06:41 PM


Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 363909)
Because they would have simply done the merger without us and we would have received nothing. Pretty simple. This is the first time in history of the airline industries pilots have received something from a merger. DALPA thought outside the box and started setting this up two years ago. Also keep in mind the average pilot will get 80,000 in equity that can become instant cash. Add that into the hourly rates for the next 4 years and they don't look so bad. Also keep in mind that this is only a LOA to the current contract. We have to negotiate a joint contract for the combined pilot group. THis sets a nice floor to start those negotiations from. I bet CAL copies Dalpa playbook in their merger.

But a four year deal, completely unacceptable and if we do copy you, I'll be the first to start the recall of our MEC.

BigGuns 04-14-2008 06:46 PM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363824)
Looks like NWA ALPA doesn't think its such a great idea:
The Delta pilot leadership also abandoned the joint pilot contract approach and agreed to a new Delta pilot contract that increased the pay and benefits for their pilots only. Any previous value and synergy created by the merger is likely to be lost due to this one-sided agreement.

Had DALPA not work with mngt and made a agreement, the merger would have went forward with NO agreement. NWALPA needs to realize this is not the 20th century anymore. Foot stomping and pouting will get you no where when OIL is $110 a barrel. QUICK ACTION AND CHANGE IS A MUST!!!

757Driver 04-14-2008 07:01 PM


Originally Posted by BigGuns (Post 363919)
Had DALPA not work with mngt and made a agreement, the merger would have went forward with NO agreement. NWALPA needs to realize this is not the 20th century anymore. Foot stomping and pouting will get you no where when OIL is $110 a barrel. QUICK ACTION AND CHANGE IS A MUST!!!

Spoken like a true management/hedge fund wanna-be.

Herkflyr 04-14-2008 07:05 PM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363910)
But a four year deal, completely unacceptable and if we do copy you, I'll be the first to start the recall of our MEC.

Odds are if CAL merges you will learn about it the way most mergers go down: it will come as a surprise when you read the morning paper that you have already merged, without one nickel for any employee. If your merger model is any different than that, you can thank the DAL MEC, and no other entity, for changing the whole labor approach.

Herkflyr 04-14-2008 07:07 PM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363935)
Spoken like a true management/hedge fund wanna-be.

Nope. Spoken by someone who thinks that sticking fingers in ears, head in sand so deep that it is creeping past the small of his back, and screaming "la la la" is not necessarily an effective strategy. It doesn't work well on anonymous message boards, however.

757Driver 04-14-2008 07:09 PM

Edited for Content

Scoop 04-14-2008 07:17 PM

[quote=757Driver;363887]Sorry DAL types but I completely agree, 17% increase over 4 years. Is this the big reward for all of your givebacks?

Why the heck didn't you tell management to dust off the old proposal or its sand pounding time.

757 Driver,

First off - the NW MEC saw that the original deal died with their attempted seniority grab. Next look at the big picture. The DAL MEC just set a new status quo for mergers - Labor from all airlines can now hope to be involved from the start. Instead of slamming our deal start working on raising the bar on the whatever deal comes your way.
By the way 17% in todays environment is pretty good. And increased pay rates for the 737-700, and oh yeah 3.5% of 17 billion, and don't forget sick leave improvements.
One final thing - What has labor ever received for every prior merger in history? What did USAIR get? I think we just did CAL a huge favor if there is a merger in your future.
Scoop - It aint perfect but its a start.

757Driver 04-14-2008 07:20 PM


Originally Posted by Scoop (Post 363964)

757 Driver,

First off - the NW MEC saw that the original deal died with their attempted seniority grab. Next look at the big picture. The DAL MEC just set a new status quo for mergers - Labor from all airlines can now hope to be involved from the start. Instead of slamming our deal start working on raising the bar on the whatever deal comes your way.
By the way 17% in todays environment is pretty good. And increased pay rates for the 737-700, and oh yeah 3.5% of 17 billion, and don't forget sick leave improvements.
One final thing - What has labor ever received for every prior merger in history? What did USAIR get? I think we just did CAL a huge favor if there is a merger in your future.
Scoop - It aint perfect but its a start.

Scoopster,

You do bring up some good points but I still think way too much was left on the table by you guys and a lot "scooped" up by management. Make no mistake on these mergers, the biggest winners are always the overpaid management guys as well as the lawyers and bankers.

I truly do wish the best of luck to both Pilot groups but I did expect much more.

DAL4EVER 04-14-2008 07:25 PM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363887)
Sorry DAL types but I completely agree, 17% increase over 4 years. Is this the big reward for all of your givebacks?

Why the heck didn't you tell management to dust off the old proposal or its sand pounding time.

Un-Friggin-Believable.

757Driver,

Have you read any details of the TA? How about that this is an interim contract with the joint one to come. This TA takes us back to pre-LOA 46 or bankruptcy rates. It means a 777 CA will earn $225/hour. That means this is what FedEx has in their industry leading contract. And again, this is an INTERIM contract. The joint one will negotiate off that. We couldn't do a joint contract with NWA in this time frame so we will now have that time. I'd rather negotiate off that than take nothing and have that be the benchmark.

Why don't you thank us for returning a pax carrier to pay levels above $200/hour. Now you can show us how its really done when you take on UAL. That deal will probably be announced by the end of the week. And if it is, will they even include CALPA or UALPA. I haven't heard if there's any negotiations going on between you guys.

757Driver 04-14-2008 07:29 PM


Originally Posted by DAL4EVER (Post 363981)
757Driver,

Have you read any details of the TA? How about that this is an interim contract with the joint one to come. This TA takes us back to pre-LOA 46 or bankruptcy rates. It means a 777 CA will earn $225/hour. That means this is what FedEx has in their industry leading contract. And again, this is an INTERIM contract. The joint one will negotiate off that. We couldn't do a joint contract with NWA in this time frame so we will now have that time. I'd rather negotiate off that than take nothing and have that be the benchmark.

Why don't you thank us for returning a pax carrier to pay levels above $200/hour. Now you can show us how its really done when you take on UAL. That deal will probably be announced by the end of the week. And if it is, will they even include CALPA or UALPA. I haven't heard if there's any negotiations going on between you guys.

Guess I'm hoping we'll do much better than that.

DelDah Capt 04-14-2008 07:33 PM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363952)
Whatever,

Hope you all skip off into la-la land, hand in hand with Dick Anderson and enjoy your gigantic 17% raises.

Lemmings.

757Driver,

The mergers in the airline industry are going to start falling now like tumbling dominoes. You'll have your turn in the barrel soon enough and I wish you luck. You may not understand it now, but the strength of pilot labor groups going into these mergers has been improved by what DALPA did. You'll be able to point to this precedent and say that you want your piece of the pie in the merger. I really don't think you understand that that hasn't happened before. I'm not sure if I'll vote for this thing until I see the details and what it means in the long term, but the fact that we have anything to vote on when in a normal merger scenario we'd get a whole lot of nothing is pretty remarkable.

Of course you could tell your management that you want to do it the old fashioned way and forgo any contract improvements. I'm sure that would show managment how 'hard' you are.

HVYinRESERVE 04-14-2008 08:29 PM

Read the portion toward the bottom... Will NWA pilots get rid of this guy already!:eek: We can get this done for both pilot groups' benefit but not with leadership like that!

A letter from the NWA MEC Chairman to the pilots of ALPA Councils 1, 20, 54, 55 & 74
TO: All Northwest Pilots
FROM: Dave Stevens
DATE: April 14, 2008
In the wake of the Delta-Northwest merger announcement today, I am writing to update the Northwest pilots. I will start by giving you the conclusion. Since January 2008, we have been working hard to put together a cooperative merger between the Northwest pilots, Delta management and the Delta pilot leadership. Agreement on the terms for a cooperative merger was in all stakeholders’ best interest in better times, with oil below $90 per barrel. With oil over $110 and an economy facing recession, and given the recent activities of the two managements and the Delta MEC, a merger with Delta may no longer be in the best interests of all Northwest stakeholders, including the Northwest pilot group. Northwest Airlines has strong standalone prospects given its cash position (best of the legacy carriers) and the flexibility of the NWA fleet, among other things. We are in a good position to weather the potential economic storm.
As a quick review, we started exploration of a cooperative merger with four key requirements from NWA MEC Resolution 08-01:
1. Creation of a profitable merged company with sufficient market presence and network scope to provide a stable platform for growth and sustainable profits;
2. Fair and equitable seniority list integration;
3. Collective bargaining agreement for the merged company with substantial improvements; and
4. Share in the equity of the merged company.
A cooperative merger provides a win-win formula for labor and management. By achieving a joint contract and seniority list prior to the effective date of the merger, revenue synergies and cost efficiencies are generated immediately (worth many hundreds of millions of dollars per year), and a portion of this economic upside could go to the pilot groups in the form of contract improvements and equity.
Since January, we have met with the Delta pilot leadership and Delta management in three extended efforts to accomplish the above requirements. By the end of the second session, we had accomplished requirements #3 and #4. However, we were unable to reach agreement on #2, an equitable seniority list, which is essential to accomplish #1. There was a great deal of collaborative effort expended by the Delta pilot leadership and Delta management to convince us to accept inequities in a seniority list in return for improved economics in a joint contract. As you know all too well, seniority is forever while economic provisions can be short lived.
The first two negotiations took place in New York City with oil below $90 per barrel. While we achieved agreement on a joint contract and equity and made progress on a seniority list, we did not achieve an equitable seniority list. The third negotiation took place in Washington, D.C., and while more progress was made on seniority, a seniority list agreement was not reached.
The seniority negotiations broke down over the Delta pilot leadership’s desire to include aircraft options, not just orders, in the seniority integration ratio. We were not willing to adjust the seniority integration ratio in favor of Delta pilots based on options, particularly when such options were unlikely to be exercised, other than as replacement aircraft, in the worsening economic environment. There were additional problems concerning calculation of the number of active pilots at each carrier and staffing assumptions for the future. The resulting difference in our respective positions on a ratio was substantial. The actual breakdown occurred when, in response to my suggestion that we both compromise and bring that to our respective MECs for their consideration, we were advised that the Delta pilot group could not move off their last ratio proposal.
As we had several times before, we then suggested to the Delta pilot leadership that we agree on expedited arbitration of the outstanding issues by a date certain. The result of an expedited arbitration would have been functionally the same as an immediate negotiated agreement since there would have been one seniority list and a joint contract in place on the transaction effective date.
By use of this process, much of the transaction risk would have been taken out of the merger and additional funds would have been generated to pay for one-time transition costs. In the uncertain world of airline economics, this was a key consideration. When two airlines merge, they attempt to realize the benefits of the created synergies before they run out of cash on hand to pay for the transition costs. In our current environment, there is no more money to borrow and airlines have few assets left to encumber.
Unfortunately, the Delta pilot leadership rejected arbitration, whether expedited or not, as a means to resolve the seniority list dispute. From that point, Delta management, the Delta pilot leadership and Northwest management chose a different path. NWA management proposed a traditional merger to Delta management. Then Delta management entered into bilateral negotiations with the representatives of the Delta MEC. The representatives of the Northwest pilots were excluded from the negotiations. Inexplicably, the Delta pilot leadership reversed its position. They are now willing to arbitrate the seniority list issues under ALPA merger policy. At the same time, they abandoned the joint pilot contract approach and have, instead, agreed to a Delta pilot contract amendment which will increase the pay and benefits for only Delta pilots. The Northwest pilots are excluded from the economic benefits. Both managements have cooperated in this change in course.
Yesterday we met with Delta CEO Anderson, President Bastian and EVP Campbell. At that meeting, we suggested that they delay the merger announcement and spend a short period negotiating a joint contract with a focus on their harmonization issues. This suggestion was rejected in favor of the plan they are currently pursuing. In explanation, they said we were out of time to negotiate prior to a merger announcement date (despite the fact they found two weeks to negotiate a deal with the Delta pilot leadership).
As a result, there will be seniority arbitration in a traditional merger process and it may take a long time. The Delta pilot leadership may choose not to cooperate on a joint contract for the benefit of the Northwest pilots while they seek an agreement on seniority that favors the Delta pilots.
Now we reach the question your MEC considered at its meeting yesterday
Should the pilots, employees and customers of Northwest support this merger as it is currently contemplated? The managements are betting on the merger models of old: Pay the employees of one group less and focus on lowering costs (instead of many of the revenue synergies that are far more likely to improve the bottom line); hope for cost savings going forward from employee division with no concern for the dis-synergies caused by labor dissatisfaction. The point has already been made to us by Delta management that they already have a "B scale" at Northwest, and that they will need to maintain it by phasing in harmonized wages. Mergers based on this model have never worked well, but trying to make this work at $110/bbl fuel, with a looming recession and no access to credit markets, is putting everything at risk.
One can only conclude that the Delta pilot leadership and Delta management have made an arrangement to try to disadvantage the Northwest pilots economically and with respect to our seniority. No pilot group is going to put up with this. No amount of money can sustain a carrier which creates this level of discord. This is a recipe for failure. Under these conditions, Northwest Airlines and all the stakeholders, including the pilots, other employees and customers, are better served by a standalone airline. Under these circumstances, it is Northwest
s best option, with its strong international and domestic route structure, a flexible fleet, an order book with fuel-efficient aircraft and the best cash position of any legacy carrier, to remain an independent carrier.
Your MEC reached this conclusion with reluctance. We were very close to concluding a truly cooperative merger which would have served the interests of everyone. We regret that an agreement was not obtained. However, the past is past. The Northwest pilot group now has to face a difficult future. As hard as a standalone course may be in these economic times, it is our judgment that it carries less risk than the merger path which now lies before us. For that reason, we will be turning our efforts to stopping this merger. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be sending you more information on the MEC
s plans. Look for a road show schedule to be posted soon.
Fraternally and in Unity,
Dave Stevens
MEC Chairman

DAL4EVER 04-14-2008 08:37 PM

Well now its in print. Not to smart. Any work slowdowns or stoppages could land them in court now. Even DAL has seen that with our "sickout" in '99. I would hope they would fight now along side us.

Heck, one good thing is that you would get long layover hotels and not the LaQuinta 100 yards from LGA anymore! Our long layover hotels have good bars that will allow us to hopefully "celebrate" our collective gains that will come shortly.

Eric Stratton 04-14-2008 10:21 PM


Originally Posted by DAL4EVER (Post 364061)
Well now its in print. Not to smart. Any work slowdowns or stoppages could land them in court now. Even DAL has seen that with our "sickout" in '99. I would hope they would fight now along side us.

Heck, one good thing is that you would get long layover hotels and not the LaQuinta 100 yards from LGA anymore! Our long layover hotels have good bars that will allow us to hopefully "celebrate" our collective gains that will come shortly.

this is just a silly post.

you hope that nwa would fight along side you guys. do you mean fighting for the joint contract that was agreed upon or just your contract. you'll fight together until you say screw it I'll get mine and forget you guys. (I guess pilots shouldn't be surprised in this since you sold out the younger pilots and gave up the 70 seaters in your last contract for those past pay raises. by the way how did that work out for you guys)

you had a joint contract and only needed to work on the seniority list. now you have neither and actually said it's ok to have a b-scale as long as I'm on the A-scale side. way to go, you should be proud...

is there some side note that will gives both airlines collective gains (to celebrate) or is it just on the delta side right now? what's the incentive to bring nwa's pay up now? the delta pilot group and management just gave the nwa pilot group the finger.

I guess alpa members shouldn't expect much from other alpa members. they've allowed whipsawing at the regionals and now it looks like it's moving to the majors...

MAXJET767 04-15-2008 12:08 AM

Ok, I'm confused: When one airline pays over 3 billion for another, is this a merger or an acquisition?

Zoomie 04-15-2008 01:34 AM

Well, although 17% is less than I would have expected, after you go back and look at the numbers, it puts payscales pretty close to SWA(granted I'm not comparing DL 737 pay, since that is still significantly lower) and FedEx(not counting retirement benefits or FO pay). This is definitely a stepping stone back towards better pay and benefits, and maybe you can negotiate more to get NWA guys on board when that integration happens. Every little bit counts when American and CAL are in the middle of contract negotiations. I think the biggest problem is FO pay is still way too low. Dunno what will happen if CAL and UA announce a merger since CAL just opened up section 6 negotiations this last week.

This merger stands to be the merger heard round the world (for airlines) if it can pan out correctly.

You know what, it kinda sux what DL did to NWA pilots by working their own deal separately, but when it comes down to it, DL had more leverage, and they sold some of it in order to get some benefits out of the merger. When it comes down to it, its business, not personal. One week from now, the same might have happened without any benefits to either group.

I'm not saying NWA pilots should be happy, but guess what, they still have their seniority. And isn't what that's what the big issue has been all along?

Or is the truth coming out, they wanted the DL pay benefits, plus keep their pension, plus keep their seniority.

TBD.

sailingfun 04-15-2008 03:45 AM


Originally Posted by Eric Stratton (Post 364101)
this is just a silly post.

you hope that nwa would fight along side you guys. do you mean fighting for the joint contract that was agreed upon or just your contract. you'll fight together until you say screw it I'll get mine and forget you guys. (I guess pilots shouldn't be surprised in this since you sold out the younger pilots and gave up the 70 seaters in your last contract for those past pay raises. by the way how did that work out for you guys)

you had a joint contract and only needed to work on the seniority list. now you have neither and actually said it's ok to have a b-scale as long as I'm on the A-scale side. way to go, you should be proud...

is there some side note that will gives both airlines collective gains (to celebrate) or is it just on the delta side right now? what's the incentive to bring nwa's pay up now? the delta pilot group and management just gave the nwa pilot group the finger.

I guess alpa members shouldn't expect much from other alpa members. they've allowed whipsawing at the regionals and now it looks like it's moving to the majors...

Eric, We never had a joint contract. We had a tentitive agreement contingent on several other things being accomplished. We were unable to complete the main one which was the SLI. No SLI no joint contract. They went hand and hand and Delta management made that very clear. Without the advantage of labor peace the joint contract was not affordable. Delta management also made it clear that the joint contract would not be in force if arbitration was required. Get your opener from your reps and print it here. I heard from my reps approx. what it was. Get it in writing from yours and print it here. I can tell you they probably won't release it because they can't defend it.

At this point we have to go forward and negotiate a joint contract for both of us. Yes we modified are current contract via LOA 19. You should be very happy we accomplished that because it sets a floor for negotiations on a new combined contract. We had no legal or other right to attempt to modify your contract. You can enter negotiations on that at any time with NWA management. At the same time we will both be in joint contract negotiations with Delta management. Lets hope we get a great contract.

BlueBall 04-15-2008 03:52 AM

Delta pilots are the best just ask them. Since the fall of good ole Eastern, Delta pilots have always looked after fellow ALPA pilots. All I can say is what goes around comes around. Good luck with the red tails.

Jughead 04-15-2008 04:19 AM

[quote]
Or is the truth coming out, they wanted the DL pay benefits, plus keep their pension, plus keep their seniority.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

DAL4EVER 04-15-2008 04:29 AM


Originally Posted by Eric Stratton (Post 364101)
this is just a silly post.

you hope that nwa would fight along side you guys. do you mean fighting for the joint contract that was agreed upon or just your contract. you'll fight together until you say screw it I'll get mine and forget you guys. (I guess pilots shouldn't be surprised in this since you sold out the younger pilots and gave up the 70 seaters in your last contract for those past pay raises. by the way how did that work out for you guys)

you had a joint contract and only needed to work on the seniority list. now you have neither and actually said it's ok to have a b-scale as long as I'm on the A-scale side. way to go, you should be proud...

is there some side note that will gives both airlines collective gains (to celebrate) or is it just on the delta side right now? what's the incentive to bring nwa's pay up now? the delta pilot group and management just gave the nwa pilot group the finger.

I guess alpa members shouldn't expect much from other alpa members. they've allowed whipsawing at the regionals and now it looks like it's moving to the majors...

At least enlighten us as to what airline you work for? We have an interim TA that the JOINT contract will be built off of. I'd rather negotiate higher off an already higher amount than try and go for a moonshot. If you are at any carrier you should be happy in that for the first time in seven years someone actually rose rates and stopped the descent. AA, CAL will all have better positions to negotiate from. And when the JOINT contract is settled they will even go higher.

tsquare 04-15-2008 05:05 AM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 363935)
Spoken like a true management/hedge fund wanna-be.


No... spoken by someone that has his eyes open...

757Driver 04-15-2008 05:52 AM


Originally Posted by tsquare (Post 364209)
No... spoken by someone that has his eyes open...


Or glued completely shut with management koolaid.

tsquare 04-15-2008 06:02 AM


Originally Posted by 757Driver (Post 364252)
Or glued completely shut with management koolaid.


Yeah right... believe me, if you even remotely knew how many molotov cocktails I have thrown at our MEC over the years on the DALPA forum, you would have no questions about my thought processes. The old way doesn't work anymore. When CAL and UAL start talking, if you choose the old tried and true method of clamming up and not working with management instead of working with them when it is obvious that they hold all the cards.. I will be anxious to see how things work out for you. If you are proactive and (drink the koolaid) as is so eloquently put, you will get something instead of the usual nothing. I know that your ego won't allow it, but when your deal is consummated, you will be thanking us under your breath.

TNT AV8R 04-15-2008 06:34 AM

... Northwest pilots are not brought to immediate parity with Delta pilots, potentially putting Northwest pilots on a B-Scale for years.

I've got news for you... you're already there.

AV8ER13 04-15-2008 07:14 AM


Originally Posted by Bucking Bar (Post 363845)
Also, I do not understand why they are whining about not getting in on the rewards when all they have done is get in the way of a fair deal that would have benefitted their pilots. What have they done to deserve equity?

Of course the DAL MEC is working to protect and promote its advantage in arbitration. The DAL MEC did not want to go there (and still does not)

What have they done to deserve equity? Is that really a ? you are asking?
Wow, I can't believe you have the nerve to ask what we have done to deserve equity. Let me flip the question, What have YOU done to deserve equity? B.c. someone on your MEC neg a contract for you, how does that entitle you to equity over me. We are just as much a part of this merger as you are, therefore we deserve just as much equity as you. This is the kind of intelligent statement from a DAL pilot that will divide and create annimosity with NWA pilots. We all deserve to get the same thing, NONE of us have done anything more to deserve more than the other!

And why dont you want to go to arbitration?

I reserve the right to have spelling and grammar errors!

flyguy1012 04-15-2008 07:19 AM

[quote=HVYinRESERVE;364055]Read the portion toward the bottom... Will NWA pilots get rid of this guy already!:eek: We can get this done for both pilot groups' benefit but not with leadership like that!

A letter from the NWA MEC Chairman to the pilots of ALPA Councils

Under these circumstances, it is Northwests best option, with its strong international and domestic route structure, a flexible fleet, an order book with fuel-efficient aircraft and the best cash position of any legacy carrier, to remain an independent carrier.
Your MEC reached this conclusion with reluctance. We were very close to concluding a truly cooperative merger which would have served the interests of everyone. We regret that an agreement was not obtained. However, the past is past. The Northwest pilot group now has to face a difficult future. As hard as a standalone course may be in these economic times, it is our judgment that it carries less risk than the merger path which now lies before us. For that reason, we will be turning our efforts to stopping this merger.


With oil trading at alomost 115.00 barrel today, just how long do you think your stand alone option is feasible? No one can predict if and when oil prices will come down. That is much more risky. The senoir pilot's at NWA, know there jobs are secure no matter what. I'm not sure that is the case with the junior guys.

tsquare 04-15-2008 07:20 AM


Originally Posted by AV8ER13 (Post 364316)
What have they done to deserve equity? Is that really a ? you are asking?
Wow, I can't believe you have the nerve to ask what we have done to deserve equity. Let me flip the question, What have YOU done to deserve equity? B.c. someone on your MEC neg a contract for you, how does that entitle you to equity over me. We are just as much a part of this merger as you are, therefore we deserve just as much equity as you. This is the kind of intelligent statement from a DAL pilot that will divide and create annimosity with NWA pilots. We all deserve to get the same thing, NONE of us have done anything more to deserve more than the other!

And why dont you want to go to arbitration?

I reserve the right to have spelling and grammar errors!


Somebody want to take this one? I just can't.....

On second thought... Av8r13. Have you ever heard the phrase "you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate?" Talk to yor reps... pleeeeeeeeeze... I am begging you

flyguy1012 04-15-2008 07:25 AM

AV8ER13

You should be mad as hell that your union didn't have simular leverage in your contract, that the Dal pilots have. Your anger is misdirected. Be angry...very angry that you got screwed by your on union and their lack of foresight to what was heading our way...Thank goodness that DALPA saw the writing on the wall quite some time ago.

reddog25 04-15-2008 07:29 AM

Together we can build and benefit from the World's largest airline. Welcome aboard, just holster your pistol before boarding.[/QUOTE]

Looking forward to a combined contract and flying the 767. Always wanted to fly that plane! I need to get out of MSP..too cold. What year group at DAL can hold ATL 767 CA?

I welcome your company on the flight deck and asking you to raise the gear:)

Superpilot92 04-15-2008 07:30 AM


Originally Posted by flyguy1012 (Post 364330)
AV8ER13

You should be mad as hell that your union didn't have simular leverage in your contract, that the Dal pilots have. Your anger is misdirected. Be angry...very angry that you got screwed by your on union and their lack of foresight to what was heading our way...Thank goodness that DALPA saw the writing on the wall quite some time ago.

The thing thats the most confusing in all this is that wasnt DALALPA the ones that said No Thanks originally and that NWALPA was the ones trying to keep the negotiations going. Why the reversal of both sides? :confused:

reddog25 04-15-2008 07:34 AM


Originally Posted by DAL4EVER (Post 364061)
Well now its in print. Not to smart. Any work slowdowns or stoppages could land them in court now. Even DAL has seen that with our "sickout" in '99. I would hope they would fight now along side us.

Heck, one good thing is that you would get long layover hotels and not the LaQuinta 100 yards from LGA anymore! Our long layover hotels have good bars that will allow us to hopefully "celebrate" our collective gains that will come shortly.

And younger prettier Stews to celebrate with as well:) I may be one of the only NWA pilots that have the nads to admit it, but I am looking forward to a SLI (arbitrated or not...don't care) and getting on with this deal and your better contract. Just checked what your 767 CA are paid. Looking forward to that seat and buying the first round!

flyguy1012 04-15-2008 07:36 AM

super,

I believe both sides dug in their heels...unfortunately or fortunately depending on where you stand, one group had a little more bargaining levearge then the other...I do wish both groups unite. I hope the junior guys at NWA see that they are going to be around much longer that a lot of senior guys, the ones who i believe are thinking of themselves and not whats best for all of you.


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