Quote:
Originally Posted by sailingfun
The question was asked. The data is available. No spin. You just don't like the numbers. SW runs a very efficient operation that keeps their total pilot costs down even though their hourly rate is high. The total block hour costs are skewed in favor of SW because of the number of 3 and 4 man operations we have at Delta. Comparing like to like our block hour costs are around 650 an hour compared to 698 at SW.
Keep in mind that we have a higher DC plan then SW and we have huge ongoing funding obligations to the NW pilot retirement plan. They all count in total block hour costs.
Delta's pilot block hour costs will however go up quite a bit on 1 Jan. There is a 4 percent raise and a 1 percent increase in the DC. In addition
NW pilots will transition to the full DC plan on that date. That ranges from a small to 14 percent increase depending on where the pilot sat on the NW matrix. SW has a raise scheduled for next Aug if I recall. The correct numbers to use in a comparison will be the costs after both the SW and Delta raises and
retirement changes are applied.
Even more spin. You can say $10k a year is great pay. Then, you can add "in Africa" in the notes at the bottom. We have a different type of operation, and we have had a very profitable two years. Then, how would you throw in fee differences at Delta, like $950 million in bag fees, when Southwest doesn't have those at all? Should that be looked at for possible pay increases? ALPA seems to leave that important number out of any memos. Where is that number included? Let me guess? You again put that in the "foot notes" in small print. It's hard to compare the two airlines, but that doesn't mean both can't pay high wages, both are very profitable. Quit aiming low.
12-03-2023
Today