DAL/NW Labor issues Q & A
 

From our union web-stie:

Scoop

Labor Issues

1. Didn’t we just leave the Northwest pilots behind?

Absolutely not. For the last several months, the goal of the Delta MEC was to achieve a comprehensive agreement which would have included a transition agreement, a joint pilot contract and an integrated seniority list. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an
agreement on seniority list integration with the Northwest MEC, which was a crucial part of the overall package.
Instead, we were able to negotiate Letter 19 which sets a "higher bar" for an eventual joint contract than would have otherwise existed without Letter 19. That is good for

2. This agreement will allow for a period of time where two different pay rates will exist for the same or similar aircraft for Delta and Northwest pilots. Isn’t that something we would like to avoid?

In both the Western and Pan Am mergers, the acquired pilot groups operated under their old contracts for a period of time. In each case, there was a harmonization schedule established to step each group up to our higher pay rates. Achieving this type of parity will be one of our top priorities as we move toward a joint contract and a SLI. Northwest’s contract specifies that if their carrier is acquired by another carrier, then their PWA remains in full effect for them until the Northwest MEC negotiates changes. We have to respect the independence of the Northwest pilots and their MEC to establish their own strategic plan.

3. Will there be backlash from the Northwest pilots since they were not included in this agreement?

The Delta MEC considers the combined Northwest and Delta pilot groups to be one group now and our every action will reflect that belief. We chose a course of action that we felt provided the most value to ALL Delta pilots including our brothers and sisters from Northwest. We will put the full power of the Delta MEC and the Delta pilots behind our efforts to achieve contract harmonization for Northwest pilots in a short period of time, and make will every effort to achieve a mutually agreeable solution on seniority list integration.

4. Will there be lost jobs in this merger?

Northwest and Delta have very little route overlap and there is little expectation of any major cuts in most markets. The combined carrier will also create the need to "up-gauge" many markets which could result in less DCI flying and more mainline flying.

The Northwest Pacific operation is a tremendous asset, but Northwest cannot adequately capitalize on that asset due to their smaller domestic feed. Many Delta hubs, especially Atlanta, are capable of fully feeding that asset. This will create even more long range international flying opportunities for the combined pilot group. Our improved scope protections will ensure that the pilot groups do not get "whipsawed" against each other, but will share in those opportunities. Furthermore, this agreement provides merger related furlough protection for the 24 months from the Date of Corporate Closing (DCC) and merger related furlough protection during the regulatory review period prior to the

where is the rest of it? Thanks for posting it gives us NWA guys a chance to see whats on the DALALPAs mind.

LOA 19 Frequently Asked Questions
•
The Agreement
•
The Equity
•
Labor Issues
•
Industry Issues
•
What’s next?

The Agreement
1.
What exactly will we be asked to vote on?
You will be asked to ratify Letter of Agreement 19, a tentative agreement between the Delta MEC and Delta management. The agreement will provide for modifications to the Delta Pilot Working Agreement designed to facilitate a successful merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines. Letter 19 also contains contractual improvements and monetary returns for the value we provide to the transaction. Please see Negotiators’ Notepad 08-01 for more information.
2.
What relief are we providing to the Company if Letter 19 is ratified?
The most important relief is the continued and expanded code sharing with Northwest until we achieve full operational integration. Our current code sharing agreement with Delta provides the MEC with many controls over the scope of code sharing and even allows the MEC to discontinue all code sharing under certain conditions. Obviously, it would be difficult for Delta to initially achieve many of the benefits of the merger without this code sharing.
We also have to modify the limits on 71-76 seat jets since Northwest and its feeder carriers will now be owned by Delta. We combined the separate contractual limits for both carriers.
3.
What contractual improvements and financial returns will we receive if Letter 19 is ratified?
Letter 19 contains a number of returns for the Delta pilots if Letter 19 is ratified. These include pay rate increases, improvements in sick leave, increased DC Plan contributions, increased per diem, increased international pay, and pay parity for 737-700 to 737-800.
We also enhanced our Scope Protections as they relate to any merger, during the time that Delta is operating each carrier separately. This will prevent whipsawing pilot groups against one another and provide important job protections for Delta pilots.
Finally, we achieved a full voting seat on the Board of Directors which has been one our goals for many years.
4.
How is Letter 19 different from the agreement I previously heard about?
Letter 19 is a tentative agreement between the Delta MEC and Delta management. The terms of Letter 19 will only apply to pre-merger Delta pilots.
Prior to Letter 19, the Delta and Northwest MECs attempted to reach a comprehensive overall agreement which would have included a transition agreement, a joint pilot contract and an integrated seniority list. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an agreement on seniority list integration with the Northwest MEC, which was a crucial part of the overall package.
Letter 19 is neither a joint contract nor does it include an integrated seniority list. We look forward to working with the NWA MEC leadership to craft a joint contract and a fair seniority list.
5.
Why are we “cooperating” with management on this merger?
The position of the Delta MEC has been clear and consistent. We do not oppose consolidation and have always held that we could support the “right” merger. Given the turmoil in the industry and the staggering effects of record oil prices, the MEC feels that this merger will generate additional flying for Delta pilots and additional profits for the merged company. Your MEC believes this merger is the fastest most sure path to increased compensation through profit sharing and contract improvements along with the advancement opportunities that network growth will provide.
6.
Why should we extend our contract now? Can’t we achieve better returns in Section 6 since the current amendable date is less than two years away?
If we wait until Section 6, we will have passed up the chance to obtain our equity grant which is an extremely valuable portion of this deal. We could not obtain the contractual improvements, including the equity without providing for some period of stability required to consummate the deal. Section 6 negotiations can often extend well beyond the amendable date which would further delay our contract restoration attempts. The MEC had to consider all factors, including the time value of money, in deciding on their course of action.
While there is a possibility that waiting for Section 6 could have provided greater benefits to the pilot group, that was considered a remote possibility, and the more likely outcome would have been less value. Negotiating in Section 6 does not insulate us from the fall out of a shrinking economy, $112/BBL oil, rapidly rising “crack spread”, and reduced demand for air travel.
7.
Does this agreement provide for even more RJs?
The total will not be any higher than the current total of combined limits in Delta and Northwest PWA’s. In fact, the ratio of RJ to mainline aircraft will be lower in the merged company than the existing ratio at Delta today. Consolidation will lead to less market fragmentation, which in the long run will create a need to up-gauge many domestic markets, lessening the need for many RJ’s. Currently, high fuel prices make it difficult to achieve profits using 50-seat RJ’s and we see a continued drive by Delta to reduce the use of those aircraft in the future.
The Equity
1.
What is the “equity stake?”
In accordance with the terms of Letter 19, the pre-merger Delta pilots will receive three and one-half percent equity stake in the merged corporation. The equity will be provided to ALPA on or about the date of corporate closing of the merger.
2.
How will the equity be allocated?
The equity will be allocated in two equal parts 50 per cent of the equity via a “per capita” distribution and the remaining 50 per cent via seniority-based distribution. The net effect is that the equity will be linearly allocated with the most senior pre-merger pilot on the seniority list receiving an allocation 1.4 times that of the most junior pre-merger Delta pilot on the seniority list, and all other pre-merger Delta pilots receiving an allocation based on their seniority position on the 1.4:1 sloped line.
3.
How much will my equity allocation be worth?
The value of the equity allocation will be determined by the market.
4.
Is there a provision to tax-defer any of the equity as we were able to do with the ALPA Claim and ALPA Notes?
The TFA requires that ALPA and Delta work together to develop a program that allows all or a portion of the Pilot Shares to be made, to the maximum extent permitted by law, in the form of a contribution to the Delta Pilots Defined Contribution Plan or the Delta Pilots Savings Plan and treated as an “employer” contribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Labor Issues
1.
Didn’t we just leave the Northwest pilots behind?
Absolutely not. For the last several months, the goal of the Delta MEC was to achieve a comprehensive agreement which would have included a transition agreement, a joint pilot contract and an integrated seniority list. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an
agreement on seniority list integration with the Northwest MEC, which was a crucial part of the overall package.
Instead, we were able to negotiate Letter 19 which sets a “higher bar” for an eventual joint contract than would have otherwise existed without Letter 19. That is good for all pilots of the merged corporation. We still are actively encouraging three way talks between Delta and both pilot groups to achieve many of the same goals, including harmonization of our contracts to include these critical improvements.
2.
This agreement will allow for a period of time where two different pay rates will exist for the same or similar aircraft for Delta and Northwest pilots. Isn’t that something we would like to avoid?
In both the Western and Pan Am mergers, the acquired pilot groups operated under their old contracts for a period of time. In each case, there was a harmonization schedule established to step each group up to our higher pay rates. Achieving this type of parity will be one of our top priorities as we move toward a joint contract and a SLI. Northwest’s contract specifies that if their carrier is acquired by another carrier, then their PWA remains in full effect for them until the Northwest MEC negotiates changes. We have to respect the independence of the Northwest pilots and their MEC to establish their own strategic plan.
3.
Will there be backlash from the Northwest pilots since they were not included in this agreement?
The Delta MEC considers the combined Northwest and Delta pilot groups to be one group now and our every action will reflect that belief. We chose a course of action that we felt provided the most value to ALL Delta pilots including our brothers and sisters from Northwest. We will put the full power of the Delta MEC and the Delta pilots behind our efforts to achieve contract harmonization for Northwest pilots in a short period of time, and make will every effort to achieve a mutually agreeable solution on seniority list integration.
4.
Will there be lost jobs in this merger?
Northwest and Delta have very little route overlap and there is little expectation of any major cuts in most markets. The combined carrier will also create the need to “up-gauge” many markets which could result in less DCI flying and more mainline flying.
The Northwest Pacific operation is a tremendous asset, but Northwest cannot adequately capitalize on that asset due to their smaller domestic feed. Many Delta hubs, especially Atlanta, are capable of fully feeding that asset. This will create even more long range international flying opportunities for the combined pilot group. Our improved scope protections will ensure that the pilot groups do not get “whipsawed” against each other, but will share in those opportunities. Furthermore, this agreement provides merger related furlough protection for the 24 months from the Date of Corporate Closing (DCC) and merger related furlough protection during the regulatory review period prior to the DCC.



(More to come...)

(The rest...)




What’s next?
1.
How will the Northwest pilots and the Delta pilots achieve a joint contract?
The two MECs have the option to form a joint negotiating committee at any time and ask the company to negotiate a joint contract. We have already worked through many of the items necessary to bring the Northwest pilots over to our working agreement, so we anticipate that much of the negotiation will focus on the economics of the deal. Both our PWA and the Northwest pilot’s PWA, stipulate that there can not be an integrated seniority list and full operational integration until we have a new joint contract. The economic benefits of this integration is are an incentive to Delta to achieve a joint contract.
2.
Since we were unable to achieve a seniority list integration, what happens next?
We will aggressively pursue an SLI and this can be achieved at any time. As we have said, there are economic benefits to Delta and both pilot groups to have this happen as soon as possible. Our desire is to work together with the Northwest pilots to achieve these benefits as soon as possible.
If we are unable to achieve a consensual SLI, the ALPA Executive Council may declare a Policy Initiation Date (PID) which will start the clock on the ALPA Merger Policy. There will be a more detailed discussion of the mechanics of this policy in the future, but the basic process is Seniority List Verification, Negotiation, Mediated Negotiation, and finally, Arbitration.
3.
When will the membership ratification vote take place?
The ratification window will be announced soon.

I speak for no one but here's my strictly unofficial view of what's on DALPA's mind:

Like it or not, we are one pilot group now. DALPA is taking that fact very seriously.
Every action taken has been and will be designed to maximize the economic gains available to ALL the pilots of the new Delta. We have a long future ahead of us as one pilot group. There is strong motivation to quickly negotiate a combined seniority list in good faith with our NWA brothers and then proceed to a new joint contract in an expedited fashion. Management wants it, and they're willing to pay for it. We MUST take advantage of that.

We understand that the initial reaction of many Northwest pilots to the "seperate agreement" that DALPA has signed may be very negative. Look for significant overtures and communication efforts from the Delta pilots to explain our reasoning and motivation for that agreement. We regret that there was not time or opportunity to fully explain it in advance but management's timetable simply didn't allow for it.
The short, oversimplified explanation is - We see the agreement as a PLUS for the NW pilots and are confident that you will eventually see it that way as well. It is designed to benefit all of us. It establishes an economic floor and for the first time in history formally codifies the value of airline labor participation in corporate mergers. Our upfront participation has significant value to the enterprise and we should be compensated accordingly. Establishing that principle was crucial in our view.

However, it is the sincere hope of the Delta pilots that the LOA 19 "seperate agreement" will NEVER go into effect. We fully expect to join with the NWA pilot group in a much richer "joint agreement" well prior to the closing of the corporate transaction.

This new Delta Air Lines has the long term potential to richly reward its pilots. ALL its pilots. The Delta MEC is doing everything in its power to see that come to fruition as quickly as possible.
We urge the Northwest pilots not to react too quickly or harshly to the events of yesterday. First impressions are often wrong. It is the belief of the Delta pilots that upon reflection the Northwest pilots will see the value of this agreement and join with the Delta pilots over the coming days in efforts to enhance and expand upon the existing framework. Together, we will craft a far superior agreement that includes all of us.

Give DALPA a chance. They're pretty sharp guys. Think about what we're arguing about here. DALPA worked their butts off to lay the groundwork for any of this "upfront labor participation" to be possible at all. Normally management would just inform us we've been merged.
And I genuinely believe DALPA has absolutely no intention of "throwing anyone under the bus". Especially not a future co-worker. I hope you will come to believe that as well.

Excellent post, Check Essential. :)

For what it's worth to the NWA guys... Delta has a crazy pilot hiring process, and while I was going through it, I couldn't entirely identify what exactly it was that caused them to hire one person, and not another.

During Indoc, a lot of managers came to talk to our class, and several explained why they hire who they hire - because they all have integrity. That seems to be such a huge running theme throughout this company, and every new hire in my class as well as every employee I have come in contact with, certainly shares that trait. The phrase that kept coming up was, "We hire people who do the right thing, SIMPLY because it's the right thing to do."

If the NWA pilots are truly concerned they are going to get thrown under the bus, I sincerely believe that the DAL pilots in the bus are simply coming to pick you guys up and bring you over here with us - not run you down. Hopefully in time, you guys will see that. :)

Good line my friend. Wish i would have thought of that one sooner.;)

[QUOTE=Scoop;364495]From our union web-stie:

Scoop

Labor Issues

1. Didn’t we just leave the Northwest pilots behind?

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][SIZE=3][LEFT]Absolutely not. For the last several months, the goal of the Delta MEC was to achieve a comprehensive agreement which would have included a transition agreement, a joint pilot contract and an integrated seniority list. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach an
agreement on seniority list integration with the Northwest MEC, which was a crucial part of the overall package........................

Now, AV8ER will still find a way to think he's screwed.

757Driver, will be upset that there is no clause to make sure CAL pilots are paid $400/hour even though this is between DAL and NWA. It will come to be known as the Cletus Clause.

merger?
 

the nwa mec is going to oppose the proposed merger by all legal means possible. as a 12 year line pilot, i support their decision, up to an including a strike. nwa has the most cash in the industry. the bottom line is dal is running out of cash....

The airlines have not merged yet, you will only be hurting yourselves. NWA is losing money too with these fuel prices.

So you would rather strike and damage the NWA side of the fence during a time when airlines are in a more fragile state than usual. I'm sure NWA has a truckload of money, and it seems some of your pilots would rather drain those funds trying to prove a point by fighting this merger.

If only some of those NWA pilots spent as much time trying to negotiate a fair, decent contract, for both pilot groups, as they do trying to figure out who was the last person to screw them, then maybe we all would be one pilot group by now. We did not throw anybody under the bus, NWA pilots still have everything they had before the merger. Their seniority, contract, and pay have not been touched.

Like it or not this merger was going to happen one way or another, and if NWA or DAL pilots really think they could have stopped the merger from happening then those individuals are further from reality then they realize. Your seniority was never for sale, so it still stands and you have that until your represenatitives realize they will need to give a little to get a little.

As a side-note, we may not want to start throwing around who has the debt and who has the money because that type of attitude will divide this pilot group and company. We are a merged company now, our strengths and weakness are equal to one another.

It's that old joke...

What's the difference between God and a pilot?

-- God doesn't think he's a pilot. :D


I think everyone needs to take a deep breath, count to 10, and in an inside voice, repeat after me:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."


Folks, like it or not, this thing is apparently happening. We don't run this company, and we certainly don't hold the cards. I don't get the impression that anyone is thrilled about this.

But we have two choices: Accept it, and work together to make a bad situation the best we possibly can... Or, we can cut off our noses to spite our face and then stare in the mirror 5 years from now and blame each other for how ugly we look with no nose.

Your choice. :)

So you would rather shut down your company and risk unemployment in an uncertain era, then be with a secure company with a truly global reach and power? And, read the above posts by DALPA. This is an interim agreement upon which the joint contract will be based off of. Also, we don't get anything until it receives the DOJ and shareholders blessings. So my pay is today as it was yesterday.

I only hope that what nwa757dtw wrote represents a very small minority in the pilot group.

Don't think so. Perhaps inviting them to the exclusive contract party you fellas had with Anderson might have been a step in the right direction?

Do you really blame them for this move? DAL ALPA cozy's up with management to get an exclusive 4 year deal that completely excludes their supposed brothers at NWA.

Some of you guys are saying this thing is only an interim contract. Then why is it listed as a 4 year agreement with such meager improvements?

It's an LOA...

Did you even read the rest of the thread before you started pontificating?



Kevin

From the Delta MEC:






Does it make sense to you now?

Everything you said in your above quoted statement is flat wrong!



Kevin

I wouldn't even respond to him, staplegun, because all 757drvr wants to do is to show how mighty his airline is, and how lowly we are.

That's alright, when the time comes, I will still wear my uniform and my hat proudly to walk side by side with my brothers/sisters from CAL.

Well as a 13 year NWA 320 FO here is my take on what has transpired. DAL needed contractual changes from their pilots. The DALPA negoitiated a LOA that improves the working conditions for its pilots. It also was able to extract a stake in the company, the way I see it is good for them! NWA didn't have the language that DAL had and so they were the ones who had a dog in that hunt. I personally think that if the shoes had been reversed NWA APLA would have done the same thing (or I would like to hope). I do not feel like DALPA went behind the NWA guys backs as they were the ones with a contract that needed changed in order to continue. I also feel that anything the DALPA got will eventually flow for the NWA pilots. So I see this as a plus not a negative. I would have loved for both sides to have come together and closed the differences 6 weeks ago but at least there was some gain on the working conditions we will all be under shortly.

Now that the merger is announced it is time for the DALPA and NWA ALPA to get back together and come to an agreement that benefits the entire pilot group as a whole. There are always going to be guys who feel screwed but hopefully the final product will benefit us all. Arbitration is never a good thing so hopefully it will not go down that path.

757Driver,

Please take note. This is the writing of a fellow ALPA/soon to be DAl pilot. He is level headed and sees the big picture. In a world of $142/barrel oil we are in a contest of whoever has the last dollar in this business wins. Separately, we had $3 billion + in cash. Together it is near $7 billion. That buys us a seat to the last dance.

What do you have against DAL guys anyways? You clog EWR we clog JFK. Are you upset that you have to stay at 12000' to SHIPP intersection because of departing JFK traffic, or is your wife a DAL FA? Go watch some Rev. Wright sermons and relax!

NWA320Pilot,

Thanks for the honest words and we look forward to working with you and together with you and your group.

Nice post, good to see some senior guys over there willing to work amicably with us.

As a fellow NWA pilot, I could not have said it better myself. We have had years of worthless arguing between RED and GREEN, and hope we can avoid any DAL vs NWA debates.
I am slated to retire as number 6 at NWA, and know that will not happen as a combined group. I am cautiously optimistic that we can reach an agreement that will satisfy my expectations.
Best of luck to all.

You can be my wingman anytime! All kidding aside, but that's the kind of perspective and insight that we need in this merger.

Amen! I look forward to working with all of you. If we can get our collative shiz' together I think we will be very glad we did in a few years.:D

Yes I did. So its an LOA, will they suddenly change their mind and change the terms of it before the 4 years is up?

Don't think so and yes I love to pontificate. :D

Yup. Lets just get a few beers eat some good food and work this crud out. I sorta like that commercial on TV with the firemen sitting in congress and just working all the "hard" issues out in like five seconds.

I for one really don't think that DALPA was out to screw anyone. They just set the bar a little higher for the next round. The union sent something out that also said that the combined pilot working agreement, that both NW and Delta have to work out with the company now that the two unions are going to combine, could take some time. The four years of this agreement simply gave a small contractual raise every year to keep us up with inflation during this period.

I think that as soon as we have a combined list, the NW guys will have the same bennies as the Delta guys. This is a good deal for all of us as long as the MEC's can work out the various seniority issues.

I hope that the mud slinging and the name calling are brief. The FU Delta stickers are not going to help by the way.

Slinky

Completely untrue. For years CAL was a sideshow joke that had scabs running its Union and arguably had the very worst contract in the industry. I've said it before and I'll say it again your current contract, except for wages, is light years ahead of ours.

What I'm amazed at is how little you sold yourself out for and how you did it without the input of the NWA Pilots. Nothing more or nothing less.

I'm hopeful that we, (CAL and UAL), will work together and surpass your 4 year deal and set the bar even higher.

Delta has always been a great place to work and back in 1987 I would have sold my eyeteeth to get on there. My biggest gripe is that I don't think you should have settled for anything less than the original agreement.

Fare increases, over the last year, have countered most of the increase in fuel and if you'd just demand it, your management team would pass on the several bucks it would cost to secure an industry leading agreement.

If, however, in several months the new Delta signs an even more comprehensive and leading contract, I'll get on here and apologize to each and every one of you.

I don't see that happening and quite frankly, I think you're stuck with this crappy T/A for the next four years.

Nothing !!!

Read my post above.

Driver,

I still don't think you get it. In a perfect world this side letter will not go into effect. On the other side, the worst case is no agreement between the two pilot groups for four plus years. I think an agrement will happen sooner than later. This side letter is an interim agreement that will be cancelled when a SINGLE pilot contract is achieved. This could happen before the Single Operating Certificate is granted by the FAA.

The status quo has been raised by SL 19. It is hard to say what exactly went on during these negotiations but I don't think it will rise to a sell-out.

Yes! That's the point. There has to be a contract to merge, and if it happens it's certainly going to be a lot quicker than 4 years...


You're absolutely entitled to your opinion. It detracts from your argument if you frame it with incorrect information; we're all more likely to sit up and take notice if we're not distracted by factual inaccuracies...

;)



Kevin

Like Poltergeist, I'm back. There will be a limit to how much the public can absorb fare increases. I predict every airline, including your beloved CAL will start showing losses possibly this quarter. We are in a recession, the global markets are all going down, this is a dire time. Fares could increase, but if no one buys those fares then it doesn't mean anything. The cash reserves will start being eaten and the carriers with the strongest cash reserves will ride out the storm the longest. That's the reason for these mergers. Combined carriers with cash reserves of $7b can go much longer than those with cash reserves of $3b. Also, you have greater access to the credit markets with those reserves.

I'm for $400/hour but why couldn't UPS and FedEx achieve anything close to $300/hour or even $250 in their last contracts? They were making profits in excess of $1b each annually. I admire your passion and resolve, but that doesn't mean you must ignore reality. And no I'm not selling myself short.

In the immortal analogy of a marine friend of mine:

If the object is to get s*x, its better to go home with the fat girl than no girl at all.

Ask yourself a question – How did we get here? Why did the DAL MEC have the additional contractual clout to be able to influence management? And more importantly, Why did the NW MEC not have the same contractual clout? I don’t think the DAL MEC individuals are any smarter, so what enabled them to get more out of management? I will give you my opinion for what its worth – admittedly, probably not much. I think it is because the DAL MEC was united and focused.
While the NW MEC was splintered with individual constituencies watching their peers as much as management the ball was dropped. DAL with a unified group had one thing in mind – get the best contract for all the DAL pilots as possible. While NW had different groups of pilots with different priorities all looking out for their individual interests.
So we can learn from this and unite – or we can repeat the mistakes of the past with a divided group. Go ahead and burn your house down – lets get it over with before we merge or lets unite so that our combined MEC can look out for all of us. If you only have a few years left go for it – raise hell and screw over all the NW pilots who have a long and possibly worthwhile career ahead of them – as long as they don’t repeat the mistakes of the last NW merger which seems to be what you are advocating.

Scoop

Someone who gets it... Beers are on me my brother...

[quote=DAL4EVER;364632]

Now, AV8ER will still find a way to think he's screwed.

quote]

Making a comment like this is very unprof., the disrespect was noted and unappreciated! When have I ever said I was getting screwed? Have I made statements that I didnt want to see the DAL pilots screw the NWA pilots, YES! Would you want the same if the tables were turned. Its funny, I am glad you have no leadership role in the DALPA, b.c. in this letter your MEC did a pretty good job of communicating that they were going to try and take care of the NWA pilots, that we were now one. Boy I wish you were over here, so then you would get the luxury of feeling what its like to worry about whats going to happen...You sit over there and think Your so High and mighty all b.c. your company happens to be the company name we are going to take. If it was NWA taking the name, then things might be different. You took a lot of steps backwards today trying to make ME feel like I was apart of ONE...

TRUE and Factual Communication has been so rare, Thanks again to who ever posted the MEC's letter.


Again, my concern is that NWA pilots will not get the equity as well!

Hopefully after we get this worked out we can get an additional bump out of mgmt to seal the deal. Any chance of that happening? I dont know about you guys but i am already ready for this to be over with. Lets getter done ;)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ums/beer-1.gif

Just a question. How did that strike thingy work out for the mechanics in 2005? I was in Minnie when it started and there was incredible hubris at the beginning. Six weeks later when I left Minnie, it was sad to see the guys on the p. line just barely hanging on and how few there were. Sure a different ballgame, but....

The real bottom line is that the NWA MEC can't block this and we better hope that DAL does not run out of cash because WE are about to work for DAL! Let's get over it and on with it!