Justdoinmyjob

I'm voting NO if parity isn't there either.

acl65pilot

Panicking no. I am stating that given the current environment, and the way things are moving, it would be hard not to trim our ranks. I have talked to many that think we will furlough and many that do not think that we will. I hope that we do make sure that the layoffs come from the correct side of the SLI. Us or them. I just have been told that the junior guys will not be the issue on the SLI. The LEC rep basically told me that we will get what we get. That does not give me that much confidence in the long term out look. It is fact and I prefer it better than some BS.
I personally think that it would be naive to not prepare for a possibility of a furlough. I have a house to see, and that is not the easies thing to do in this market. I am not doing anything yet, but if need be I will be able to become liquid very quickly. IMHO, doing noting and not planning for the eventuality would be a bigger mistake.

Spaceman Spliff

I just don't see how we can possibly avoid furloughs. Even if the new contract provides for DAL's more liberal manning...in this environment, that argument is getting fainter and fainter.

Does anyone have a good case for why furloughs will not happen?

acl65pilot

I do not think that was his point. He point was to tell me to "Quit Panicking." IE, If it happens there is not much you can do about it.
I agree though, I do not know how we could possibly avoid it.

Carl Spackler

The only things I've seen in writing are both really good IMO. First, Bastian said that (with regard to pay parity), "we at Delta are prepared to do the right thing." Second, he said "we can no longer subsidize the traveling public on the backs of our employee's pensions and salaries. We simply must price our product based on what it actually costs."

Very simple words, yet music to my ears.

Carl

tsquare

*****Not advocating... just posing a hypothetical.... *****

What if... DAL management proposes a phase in to bring NWA to DAL rates over a given period of time.... BUT... allows for the 2 entities to remain seperate during that phase in period? Would this still be a no vote? The only reason I ask is that (you have to admit) DAL and NWA are a great fit with respect to route structure and (lack of) overlap. Therefore, if the entities are essentially operated as they are prior to the DCC, there's really no harm, no foul. NWA pilots fly NWA aircraft and NWA routes under (essentially) NWA contract rules... DAL pilots fly DAL aircraft and DAL routes under DAL contract rules... until such time as parity is reached. At that time, we are all become one big happy... disfunctional family

*****I am just posing the hypothetical situation... thoughts?*****

Steve

Carl Spackler

Thanks for that post Flare, you're a stand up guy.

Carl

tsquare

I hope that is right... I am tired of chipping in for gas... I thought those days were over in college.

Carl Spackler

As a guy who was furloughed 4 times in 4 years between 1979 and 1982, I really hate to see it happen to anyone. But you are smart to prepare. Today's move in oil by $10/barrel is an obvious sign of a bubble, and ALL bubbles eventually burst. This one is no different. The question is, who can survive through the short term until the bubble bursts? Clearly there are going to be majors and LCC's that go under very soon if this bubble continues to inflate more than a few more months. This industry will regain pricing power, but not after all the idiots fail and liquidate.

If the bubble doesn't burst soon, airlines will return to the model in the 1970's where only the relatively affluent "middle class" can fly. This is because the "middle class" will only be able to afford the tickets. If this happens, the industry will be much smaller than today. However, you young bucks are in a great position. Yes, you might see some furlough time near term, but old farts like me are leaving in droves in the next 10 years. As we do, returning furloughees will be returning to a healthy industry that has pricing power. What a difference that will make!

Carl

Superpilot92

Thanks guys!! Hopefully Bastian was being honest when he told our MEC they want to do the right thing now. I think they finally got to talk directly with our MEC and realized that wasnt going to fly if they want this done. We need to get the joint contract ASAP, that would be the first step in the right direction. Soon we will ALL be DALPA pilots and we need to do everything possible not to divide the two groups. I look forward to working with all of you guys/gals over at DAL and moving forward as 1 solid pilot group.