Quote:
Originally Posted by Mesabah
I don't think it is entitlement, that word is thrown around way too much. If you work for a Delta regional, you are investing in the Delta product, I don't think it is wrong to expect a return on your investment. That said, the union should not be hijacking the hiring process.
As a matter of word use, "entitlement" is appropriate.
The business you invested in went bankrupt and your investment was wiped out, FWIW.
The school of experience has taught me that "sweat equity" may be the most valuable input to a business, but it is the least recognized and least compensated.
If there were any truth to your statement; the ASA pilots brought the most sweat equity to the table, since they brought their own route network, code and leases on 1/3 of the World's busiest airport when acquired by Delta. ALPA's Board of Directors voted to exclude them from ALPA's merger policy and management had no interest in compensating them for the loss of their airline with a stake in Delta, where their code went.
You are familiar with the way the Comair pilots were treated. As a matter of "equity" ASA & Comair, pre merger, were the most profitable Companies in DCI. Those profits meant exactly nothing to the careers of their pilots once their airlines disappeared into another Corporate structure.
... and don't think ALPA or management rewarded your effort either. You're in because you voted to be cheapest. It says so in your contract. When, or if, you try to increase your compensation the "commitment" language is nullified.
Sorry. I am not trying to be a jerk. Just realize that Delta is a rough player when it comes to their outsourcing. They are a corporation with the number one goal of making a profit. Corporations, by definition, have no body to incarcerate and no soul to convict. If you expect them to take some action to repay you, or anyone else, for their efforts ... you need only look at the contracts.
When I interviewed at Delta, coming from a regional airline who's code had been stripped, who's manager from Delta was demanding 25% pay cuts, who's owner was transferring our newest airplanes to his non-union subsidiary, I came with the knowledge that my Company had been beaten in a competitive business and it was either get on the massive warship that had sunk us, or drown. There's probably no more humble man than a middle age guy who's employer died out from under him.
There's nothing wrong with taking pride in the Delta brand. Delta service and profits feed you and your family. But, know that no employee, ever, has had a positive balance in their "sweat equity account." Employees around the World for some reason seem to forget that we do not own the Companies we built.