bump. We are having this very same discussion over at DAL, and are hearing some of the very same arguments. I haven't read this thread cover to cover - yet - but I think the two camps are the same here as over at DAL. TO me it just makes sense to get the most money into the most pilots' pockets as soon as possible, and banding might accomplish that. I have been asking for those guys that advocate the productivity argument to explain to me why we should continue that line of thought since we as pilots have zero input as to what airplane - not to mention the quantity of those airplanes - that management buys.

Interesting that you ignored the rest of his post. But I guess the rest of your contract is perfect.

TS-
Word to the wise.....CATAN (who also dresses in drag as "Dumbfounded", and "Dexim") has been added to several "ignore lists". Since such time, many of us have found minor doses of tranquility while checking-in on APC.

Suggest you do the same if you plan on stopping by often!;)

Gracias! Or how ever you say thanks in SoCal. :D It's 'much obliged' in East Tennessee

The reason why DAL/NWA pay the same for the 777 and 747 is because those were the largest aircraft either company brought to the table. DAL had no 747s and NWA no 777s. That is not the case here. We have 777s and 747s whereas you guys only have 777s. You guys are completely missing the point of what is best for the entire pilot group after the merger.

We want un-banded AND industry leading pay rates for every airplane. We want every airplane to immediately go up in pay. One day, after the merger, when you get a 747 bid, YOU WILL WANT it to be at the top of the pay scales as well. The LUAL pilots do NOT want to see the 777 pilots take a concession for the 747. In our eyes, the DAL 777/747 pay level (not saying I want their rate) is fine for the 777, but the 747 should pay MORE. These aircraft are 200k lbs apart, the 747 carries significantly more payload and farther.

Using this logic, if the 747 is retired in 5 years, the 777 will STILL be at the top of the industry.

As for the UPS guys, they're just like the SWA guys. They worked for peanuts for 25+ years which finally brought all of us down to them. Do not be impressed.

That is why I have said with so few of the type I have no problem with the 747 being a separate pay category...assuming pay banding is the end pay table result that is. If these planes are going to be going away at some point, I see no reason to dilute whale pay by banding with 777s.