I’d agree that morale was better BT (before Tumi). We were coming out of the pandemic and many were fairly optimistic about our plans, but uncertain about the timeframe. We got a message from the union saying that they’re trying but that we’re just too far apart, then out of the blue we had an “industry leading” AIP. When it turned out to be a giant turd that optimism was replaced with anger. We are recalling and replacing reps and starting over. That takes a certain amount of time. I also think that the slower delivery rate has bought them some time as well as the potential for new bases. They can build them up if in desirable locations and let the bases with a history of open captain vacancies shrink somewhat. If new bases seem to significantly reduce the number of unfilled vacancies, that would also buy them time. They can simply wait for Delta to set the bar and then either meet or slightly beat it.

They do want us to buy into the PPD ideology. In the next couple of years, the majority of this group will be post merger. Many of the old guys are a lost cause, but they are putting in the effort to convert who they can. The big emphasis is to get the new generation to believe. It will work for a while, but after a couple of decades of watching the same old movie, they too will be jaded and frustrated with the younger pilots for buying the hype. I’m hoping for the best, but expecting more of the same old story. Those of us with 20+ years would call that realistic, those on the bottom of the list would call it pessimistic.

Kids that grew up on the internet may be more skeptical than they get credit for. I think in the same way the older folks assume they will be taken as pessimistic instead of realistic, I think we should give the younger crowd the benefit of the doubt - let's not mistake their happy ambition, which should be expected during the greatest hiring wave in distant memory, for naivety.

You have a valid point, but all of us jaded old guys were once extremely optimistic and energetic new hires. Time has a way of beating you down and changing your outlook. We’ve seen unprecedented hiring, rapid upgrades, huge contractual gains, terrorist attacks, recessions, furloughs, mergers, and now a pandemic. The story never changes, just the actors. The difference that I have seen is that the younger pilots seem more likely to be optimistic, while the older ones think “here we go again”. Obviously painting with a broad brush, but it’s been my experience.

I heard 24, 7, 1, 1...👍

No it shouldn't. It's used as a stepping stone for most. There 100s of jobs people do the same thing and because they work for a bigger, more "prestigious" company they get paid more.
THe only reason they've been close is because they all got raises while none of the big 4 have had any in 4 years.

This has got to be a horrible attempt at a troll post…

Do you also do the “forward stare” when walking past a U/LCC pilot in the terminal because they are not worthy of your prestigious acknowledgement?

He is a Riddle grad so already awkward to be around and absolutely full of S.

That wasn't a sale, it was a limited-time return to pre-POTATUS pricing.

A 40% pay increase over 4 years. What are you smoking? Can I buy a bag?

We need 53% for an immediate COLA from 2002.