Big News re: DL mainline?

[DaveGriffin]

Next week we can look for THE BIG NEWS from Delta that has kept our regular DL mainline buddies quiet for the past 3 weeks. Whatever it is, they don't really like it. We can count on their spin and rationalization to justify the new agreement between ALPA and the company regarding the codeshare and new LCC.

This has definitely been a bad month for them, with the overwhelming defeat of the AFL-CIO endorsed candidates in the 05 Nov. elections and the looming prospect of forced arbitration replacing RLA protected strikes as early as 2003. Add in the concessions from UAL pilots and DALPA truly finds itself in a multi-year “perfect storm”.

 

[General Lee]

Dave,

Come on Dave, the sky isn't falling. We're not doing that bad. Barron's Magazine just said that we were the "healthiest of the majors", and we have plenty of opportunity to ride this out. Yes, the LCC will probably be announced sometime next week, and I wouldn't doubt that Delta will ask for some sort of concessions. But remember, we DON'T HAVE TO do anything---we have a contract. THEY CAN"T MAKE US do anything. Should we? Yeah, probably---and I wouldn't mind chipping in something---but for a price--like early outs for senior guys, and stopping the furloughs. Hopefully that will come about anyways with the arbitration----our guys did a good job and hopefully the furloughs will stop.
If we do take pay cuts, count on DALPA ensuring some early retirements to help guys move up and help with the furloughs.
I don't mind helping, but we aren't going to be taken advantage
of---"A contract is a contract" as Leo said.

Also, Delta is saying that they are still hurting because we are having trouble in our short haul sectors. HMMMM. Should we bring in Commutair and put BE-1900's on our current RJ routes between short haul markets? Time to furlough at Comair or ASA?
They would say, "No Way!!!" Yeah, ok---put RJ's on our Mainline routes and BE-1900's on the RJ and ATR routes. Then we can be the "largest Regional in the WORLD!!!!!!!!!" Don't think so.

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[100/hour/5y]

Look at like this guys,

DAL,CAL,NWA codeshare agreement is approved. CAL has already reduced X Jet"s block hours, more planes coming with no where to park them.
New aircraft ie "XJET" will be moved to SLC to keep the money inside the alliance kingdom instead of giving the profit to SKYWEST

FROM CALFOURMS
" I heard this from a really good friend of mine last night while commuting home, he said Jim Ream came into his ground school class and told them that Express may be going to Denver and that they would be flying under "different" colors. What ever that means"


From Yahoo DAL Board

"Hows this for an LCC rumor.

DAL drastically downsizing mainline presence in Salt Lake City. SLC has always been a marginally profitable hub.

Delta expects to improve profits in it's SLC hub by contracting with Expressjet Airlines to supplement Skywests route structure thru-out the west.

With the codeshare alliance soon to be approved between DAL,CAL, NWA, Delta also expects to reduce it's mainline presence in DFW and sell seats thru it's new codeshare partner CAL. DAL has had enough of going head to head with AMR in DFW

 

[DaveGriffin]

Dave,

Come on Dave, the sky isn't falling. We're not doing that bad. Barron's Magazine just said that we were the "healthiest of the majors", and we have plenty of opportunity to ride this out.

Bye Bye---General Lee

General Lee;
I don't think you get it. The reason that the analysts are touting DL is because DL is the LEAST unionized of the majors. DALPA can take no credit for DL's relative position of strength.

Every action that DL has taken post 9/11 (such as their stance on FM and their rightsizing of the fleet to correspond to reduced flying) is exactly why they find themselves in the favored position they are today. The mainline pilots have argued against and fought these actions vigorously.

It is an interesting dichotomy; your group fights DL at every turn yet you take solace in the fact that DL is cited as the strongest operator of all the majors.

 

[rjcap]

Gen Lee,

Barron's Magazine just said that we were the "healthiest of the majors",

So the other Majors are on death watch while we are on life support. OK, I guess you could say we are the healthiest.

Maybe we start comparing ourselves to the other competitors in terms of profitability. Southwest - Jetblue - Airtran.

Now how do we measure up ????

 

[Birdstrike]

Forgive me if I'm missing something but what is this " a contract is a contract" mantra I keep hearing from the DAL mainliners. Yes, when revenue exceeds costs = profit, let the wine flow freely. But when a contract variable changes (like revenue) seems only common sense to blow the whistle and bring everyone back to the table to save the ship.

DAL is hemorraging dollars at a staggering rate. Where is the money supposed to come from to pay the contracts that were signed when times were good? Times are now bad. So who gets stuck? The government? Nah, been there, done that. We won't get fooled again. The passengers? Nope, can't raise fares or I start driving or flying Jet Blue. The stockholders? OK, fine but the stock is already down and that's not a long term liquidity solution anyway. Personnel costs? Ah, there's the rub.

Yeah, it's too bad that DL can't live up to it's "contract". But for cryin in the beer, make the necessary salary adjustments and live to fight another day.

 

[General Lee]

Guys,

What's funny is that this has all happened before. Back during 7.5 ( a period of time in the early 90's) after we bought Pan Am's European routes we were in a similar situation---and they wanted us to give some money back. We did. Then things got a lot better and when Leo Mullin came on board, we asked for a meeting. We told him how well we were doing and what we gave up, and then asked for some back. He said, "A contract is a contract." That is where that came from. Distrust is bad. Do we want this airline to go down? No. Will we give up some pay this time? Probably, but we want assurances we will get it back. We got a big raise on this last contract, but gave up a lot in lifestyle items and ofccourse we got our famous No Furlough clause---which cost us a lot believe it or not. Now we have over 1000 guys out, and we are fighting to get them back. Where will they go? Hopefully on some 70 seat RJ's or new 90 seaters someday, or they will sit on the beach and get paid. (Remember---No furloughs, regardless of the economy or profitability of the airline---and they signed that)

How is Delta doing versus Airtran and Southwest etc? Well, we are losing money----and a lot of the losses are one time charges, but they are implementing new programs that will supposedly save us money. And, we have over $5 BILLION worth of unencumbered assets that we can still mortgage----which means that we can ride this out for a long time----remember, 1 billion equals 1000 million----and if you lose 3 million a day---well, you get the picture. Airtran made a staggering $1.2 million profit last quarter----to which I say Bravo! (It's better than we did....)
Our Low Cost Carrier out next week may bite into some of Jetblue's or Airtran's huge profits, and it will get people off our mainline planes and let RJ or other mainline passengers get on the widebodies at the hubs---and increase profit. We are on the right track---and economic recovery has to be around the corner because I don't think it could get worse---unless long War with Iraq-----which should be over quickly---within 3 weeks max.

RJCAP---by the way, DCI is not the LCC for Delta. It may be the C scale in pay, but not the LCC. The costs are not better for the pax on DCI----probably even more expensive. A 757 with 198 seats spreads the costs out better than a CRJ70, and is a lot more comfortable on long flights, and has a movie.

Do costs have to come down for Delta? Sure they do. Do we have to let them? NO. Will we? Probably, and I think that is good. You can believe this---if they ask for pay cuts, we will ask for early out retirements, which will move things a long and hopefully help some of the furloughs----whcih will all be back eventually---because it is in the contract.

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[DaveGriffin]

Do costs have to come down for Delta? Sure they do. Do we have to let them? NO. Will we? Probably, and I think that is good. You can believe this---if they ask for pay cuts, we will ask for early out retirements, which will move things a long and hopefully help some of the furloughs----whcih will all be back eventually---because it is in the contract.
Bye Bye---General Lee

It will be very interesting to see the reaction of our DL mainline posting buddies regarding the Codeshare TA. When the Codeshare proposal was fist floated by DL several months back the consensus among the DL mainline posters here was that they hoped DALPA would play hardball in giving its agreement.

With a 12 to 4 vote in favor at the MEC I guess it’s just a question of how hard DALPA bargained and how much the MEC has given away in this TA. The top half of the list will do anything at all, including accepting more furloughs (while publicly and loudly decrying DL’s unfairness) rather than offer any concessions, which would come out of their own pockets.

The LCC deal, which we will see soon, is yet another opportunity for the MEC to show its cold-blooded allegiance to the privileged few at the top of the list.

 

[~~~^~~~]

General Lee:

With the big announcement coming next week, how is ALPA getting around membership ratification? Since this contract "revision" changes at least your scope and compensation sections (and possibly your job protection provisions) why was this not subject to ratification by your pilots? Even if the ratification was just for political cover.

The fact that the Delta MEC voted on this 12 to 4, there apparently was some dissention about the terms of the deal.

In any event, Delta went along with the C2K by making the business assumption that United had already agreed to a similar cost structure and Delta's agreement would pressure American into the same crazy deal. Now United is voting on pay cuts and American is not even going to United levels. That leaves you guys pretty lonely as the highest paid pilots on the planet. With United negotiating give backs, are the "United Plus" stickers still as popular?

Regardless, the most interesting part of your deal *which I guess is a contract already since your pilots are not getting to ratify it) will be the revised scope section.

Wonder what is in that contract? It amazes me that you guys let your MEC agree to this without knowing what is in it. Is there even a Negotiator's Note Pad out on this?

 

[General Lee]

Fins,

Yes, I know---they passed it and didn't want ratification from it's members, which is stupid. Looking on the other boards, it looks like a lot of our guys are pretty upset. But, we still have another chance to get some things right---with the furloughs etc. (I hope we win the arbitration.....) The MEC members looked like they just gave up to Delta, and that will not go down easily with the membership. They will have to explain why they rolled over, and they will eventually pay for that. Our next chance will be when (not if) Delta comes looking for pay cuts. We don't have to do anything, (unless our guys just roll over again...). As far as the Scope issue, I think the block hours were raised for DCI, but I think that was inevitable. Now, as long as our guys don't give away the 90 seat RJ's, (which will go to the outer hubs---not ATL Fins!!) and the LCC, I think we will be alright. Our arbitration hearing went well, and I hope we proved enough to at the very least stop the furloughs. We must submit written testimony on Dec. 6th, and then it is up to the arbitrator.

I have been hearing that Delta wants lower pay for the LCC for pilots. I hope they make it a whole new category---just LCC 757 flights etc. The 757 is my favorite plane---really easy to fly and land----and I would bid it quickly, even with a pay cut. We shall see about that.

So, Fins, it seems you are right. Our guys rolled over and should have done more, but what can you say? Hopefully they haven't given away everything! I think we'll be ok.

Bye Bye----General Lee

 

[Tim47SIP]

The rest of the story

General Lee Wrote:
What's funny is that this has all happened before. Back during 7.5 ( a period of time in the early 90's) after we bought Pan Am's European routes we were in a similar situation---and they wanted us to give some money back. We did. Then things got a lot better and when Leo Mullin came on board, we asked for a meeting. We told him how well we were doing and what we gave up, and then asked for some back. He said, "A contract is a contract." That is where that came from. Distrust is bad.


No, General Lee, what is funny is your complete missunderstatnding of where "a contract is a contract" came from. In 1992, Delta asked for a 5% pay reduction accross the board because the company was financially distressed. All employees took this reduction to help the company except, guess who? You got it, the pilots union. Their rseponse was "a contract is a contract". Then in 1996 when Delta gave back the 5% pay to the other employees, guess what those same pilots did? You got it, they said "me too!" We want a 5% raise! Leo then stated "a contract is a contract". I am not quite sure why so many of you Delta mainline guys continue to spread false info concerning this subject. I do know that ALPA is continuing to manifest jargon similar to this, so that might be where you are getting your info from.

Oh, I know, it is me spreading the false info. Well here is one link to a Delta pilots explination of the account. I have more links concerning this if you need them.

http://www.planebusiness.com/perspectives/p021901held.html

Also, Delta is saying that they are still hurting because we are having trouble in our short haul sectors. HMMMM. Should we bring in Commutair and put BE-1900's on our current RJ routes between short haul markets? Time to furlough at Comair or ASA
In case you havent been paying attention, Com/Asa are taking those short haul routes and continuing to add more routes at a staggaring pace.

RJCAP---by the way, DCI is not the LCC for Delta. It may be the C scale in pay, but not the LCC. The costs are not better for the pax on DCI----probably even more expensive. A 757 with 198 seats spreads the costs out better than a CRJ70, and is a lot more comfortable on long flights, and has a movie.

You are correct about the costs but the truth is that Com/Asa has plans to double it's size by 2005. That will be 6000 total pilots and over 400 aircraft. I have read several articles (yes I know that they are all opinion biased and may be false) that have stated Delta is downsizing to 70% of it's original size and building DCI to restructure the entire airline. It sure looks like that is what they are doing as they just announced more layoffs and deferred aircraft deliveries past 2003, DCI management says that is what they are doing, while DALPA says No! that is not what they are doing. The contract wont let them? OK, whatever. I guess we can just call what is going on here something it is not so we can believe that it is within contractual limitations.

General lee, this is not in anyway an attack on you or any Delta pilot and I share no joy whatsoever in the current state of affairs. But it seems to me that maybe DALPA and Com\Asa should get together on this one to help save our industry. We need to get those furloughed guys back in the aircraft by picking them up instead of new hires. The latest etimates for recalls is 8 years and that is with retirements and early outs. Delta is going to accomplish their restructuring plans with or without the pilots support, so it is time to come up with a plan that is palateable to both management and the pilots.

 

[~~~^~~~]

First - how do we know that a negotiated resolution was not reached to the furlough issue? An agreeement is always better than an arbitration award, for both sides.

Second - Rumors are that the cap on DCI block has been raised to 49% of total Delta system block. We do not know any of the details yet about aircraft restrictions.

Part of this deal does resemble the 7.5 years. For one, the Delta MEC created alter ego flying when they agreed to allow domestic codeshare in exchange for preservation of higher pay rates at mainline. Now, the Delta MEC has agreed to enlarge DCI flying by almost 50% in order to preserve the pay and benefits of the current MEC membership.

This now allows for the delivery of the aircraft ordered in February 2000 and explains the rapid increase in hiring at ASA and Comair over the last 30 to 45 days.

While this is good for DCI pilots in the short term, it is bad for all Delta system pilots in the longer term. This will erode the bargaining power of the mainline pilots, both with Delta and within the ALPA political structure. (49% of flying at DCI could result in as many DCI pilots voting as Delta pilots at National) Further, we can expect the Delta MEC to try to take back this flying eventually creating another attack scenario from within our own union.

If I were a senior pilot at Delta, I'd be happy with this deal. If I had less than 5 years seniority, I would be furious. As a DCI pilot, I'm glad that the greedy rascals ate their own young instead of using our exculsive bargaining agent to eat me.

 

[DaveGriffin]

…..we still have another chance to get some things right---with the furloughs etc. (I hope we win the arbitration.....) Our arbitration hearing went well, and I hope we proved enough to at the very least stop the furloughs. We must submit written testimony on Dec. 6th, and then it is up to the arbitrator.

General Lee;

You are grasping at straws, there is no way you will overturn the first decision. It is clear to any objective observer that the 9/11 attacks on the US and continued threats by al Qaeda represent a serious and credible threat to our commercial aviation industry, particularly 757 and wide body transcon and international aircraft and routes. A percentage of the flying public genuinely fears this threat and is electing alternate modes of travel, auto and rail.

The MEC members looked like they just gave up to Delta, and that will not go down easily with the membership…… Our guys rolled over and should have done more, but what can you say? Hopefully they haven't given away everything! I think we'll be ok.

Of course the membership won’t get a chance to ratify the TA…. The TA would lose and expose the existing divisiveness and discord within the membership. The MEC rolled over because they must continue to protect the interests of the top half of the seniority list at the expense of those at the bottom.

DALPA is well versed in using the hard charging, labor-radical, fighting spirit of the juniors on the list when it suits their needs and objectives. In this case the MEC remains true to their colors and have chosen, and will continue to choose, to sacrifice the interests of the juniors to the seniors.

And the sad part is, many of the juniors buy the line that you’re not really an experienced pilot until you’ve spent 5 years on furlough and not given an inch to concessions.

 

[General Lee]

Ok, where do I start? How about Fins.

Fins: Well, there was an increase, but I believe it was up to 44%, and if there is a huge loss---I believe they said something about 13% (of what I do not know0---it could go to 49%. The person who told me this said that it was unlikely to get that high, and that if it did---we all should be more worried about whether Delta would survive. It has not hit that stage yet. You are right, the greedy senior guys did sort of eat their young, but-----we are not done yet.

Tim47sip,

I know you and I are disgusted with what has happened, but I think you are off in your thinking---especially with furloughs. First of all, where did you get 8 years for recall? You have no idea, and nobody does, of what rate the recall would be. First of all, the arbitrator decides that, and he said it would be a "timely callback." He said that. 8 years doesn't sound like it. He said that Delta would not take advantage of Force Mejeur, and he is currently hearing our case again---and he said he would remain the judge in the case---not giving Delta free reign. Even with a war in Iraq---Delta can only use Force Mejeur for so long, and would have to continually prove that the War itself was affecting passengers, not the economy or unprofitability of Delta with cheap fares etc. At the latest hearing (And this is for good ole Dave Griffins also) Dalpa gave testimony that showed written accounts in newspapers etc that had the VP of Marketing, Leo Mullin, and Fred Reid stating that it was the economy and weak revenue that was hurting us, andthe VP of marketing actually said that people stopped being scared to fly three months after 9-11. We have it in writing. Our No furlough clause protects us from that, supposedly. I don't care if some people aren't flying the shorter distances etc-----AAA said that we will be carrying just as many passengers this Thanksgiving than the one in 2000. The fares might be cheaper, but that doesn't matter to the No Furlough clause. Everyone knows that people aren't as scared to fly as before---they are scared to buy expensive tickets, and that isn't our fault.

Tim47SIP---I am glad ASA and Comair are expanding---we need good feed at Delta. But, don't be so happy---the less mainline jobs and the more RJ's, the less of a chance for you to go to a Major and make more money. Maybe you don't want to, and that is fine. Some guys like their schedule and don't mind flying CRJ's, which are really nice. But, the money will always be better, even with future pay cuts possible, over at Delta. Second year FO on the MD88 pays better than 18 year RJ Captain. Will that come down a little, maybe, but not by much. The sad thing is is that there may not be much more hiring ever at Delta, and when the furloughed come back---which they will because of the No Furlough clause----that might be it. Delta mainline pilots will shrink with retirements and eventually be small---but those guys will always make more than the regionals. And yes, I believe I did get the "A Contract is a Contract " thing wrong, but not the feelings it gave us. Distrust sucks period. I have nothing against Comair or ASA guys, but I would like them to see that their possible dreams to fly 777's or 767-400's some day may become increasingly harder with the addition of more RJ's, and if that is ok with them, then ok. When things are going good over hear, it is hard to beat. And, I think it will be like that again, hopefully soon.

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[super ed]

Tim,

The pilot you quote from plane business was Delta's head propaganda minister. Actually DALPA grieved the 5% thing and won because it was in effect pilots circumventing our collective labor agreement by giving 5% without it being negotiated. To my memory the term a contract is a contract never was a battle cry of the pilot group. The battle cry began after Leo refused our request for a mid term adjustment, not us asking for 5%. The company restored the 5% to non-contract employees long before we request the adjustment.

We both better hope that Delta Mainline does not shrink to 70% of it's original size because with the new TA you would be in violation of the new block hour limits if we shrink that much.

~~~~~~(Jesse),

The limits on aircraft types are still in force. The 70 seater limits are the same language was changed to insure that 1 new 70 seater for every 10,000 block hours was from the original block hour floor set in July 1, 2001.

Just the fact, the real facts.

Super

 

[~~~^~~~]

Super Ed:

What can you tell us about the scope revisions?

And I am not Jesse, although I think most of his analysis is spot on. At least his prognostications have come true six months to a year after his forecasts.

Regards,
~~~^~~~

 

[MSNFlier]

here's the article.....

Delta to Cut Costs by $2.5 Billion
Fri Nov 15, 4:14 PM ET


By MARK NIESSE, Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA (AP) - Delta Air Lines is launching a low-fare mini-airline at the same time it cuts costs by $2.5 billion more over the next three years.

Delta needs to further reduce spending to deal with the lingering effects of the Sept. 11 attacks, Chief Financial Officer Michele Burns announced Friday at an industry conference in Key Biscayne, Fla.

Details of the coach-class airline-within-an-airline will be made public by the end of the month, spokeswoman Peggy Estes said.

Also Friday, Delta said it reached a tentative agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association (news - web sites) for a proposed marketing agreement with Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines. The code-share proposal, which is being reviewed by federal regulators, would allow the airlines to sell seats on each other's flights as if they were their own, and to cooperate on frequent flier programs.

J.P. Morgan airline analyst Jamie Baker said the new low-fare unit, which hasn't been named, would help Delta, the nation's third-largest airline, fend off increasing competition from lower-cost carriers such as AirTran, JetBlue and Southwest.

"Delta's goal is to retard the growth of its discount competitors, and at the same time, more closely align its costs with discounters," Baker said.

Baker said he expects the new Delta unit will try to avoid traditionally congested hubs and concentrate on routes between the Northeast and Southeast.

Estes would not say what the low-fare division would be named, what type planes it would use or whether pilots would be paid less.

Increasing competition from Delta won't hurt JetBlue because it's growing fast and its customers are loyal, said spokesman Gareth Edmondson-Jones.

"We feel secure nothing can touch us," Edmondson-Jones said. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the airline-within-an-airline model hasn't worked so far."

Baker said the new Delta carrier could avoid mistakes made by its last low-cost venture, Delta Express, by using larger planes.

"This reduces Delta's per-seat costs to a level more closely related to its discount competitors," Baker said. "Simply by having a bigger plane with more seats, an airline can spread out its costs."

AirTran, whose fares have been matched by Delta since 2001, isn't worried about the venture either, spokesman Tad Hutcheson said.

The cost cuts announced by Delta come on top of $1 billion in previous cuts, which included plans announced last month to eliminate up to 8,000 jobs.

Burns did not specify how the airline would save an additional $2.5 billion, although she said it would try work-at-home programs and would review employee benefits before seeking labor concessions.

Shares of Delta closed down 31 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $10.89 on the New York Stock Exchange (news - web sites).

US Airways is restructuring under bankruptcy-court protection and United Airlines is involved in intense negotiations with workers in an effort to win a $1.8 billion loan guarantee from the federal government. Without the government backing, United's chances of avoiding its own bankruptcy court filing are slim, analysts said.

Delta has fared better than US Airways and United, but its troubles still run deep. The airline lost $326 million in the third quarter and more than $900 million since the year began. In 2003, Delta said it will have to spend up to $250 million in cash and take charges of up to $300 million because of its underfunded pensions.

Delta chairman Leo F. Mullin has blamed the industry woes on higher airline insurance premiums and government security mandates that will cost the industry $4 billion this year. He said that doesn't include $2.5 billion in lost revenues from passengers who won't fly because of hassles associated with the new security measures.

 

[General Lee]

$2.5 Billion lost from people who won't fly due to security reasons. HMMMM. Well, our planes are still full, and I guess people who pay lower fares don't mind the hassles, but business travelers who used to pay $2500 for a one way ticket do. That is not the fault of our pilots, and that really is Marketing's problem. And our contract does not have a statement saying lower fares triggers more pilot furloughs. Nope.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Tim47SIP]

Gen Lee/Super Ed

General Lee
You missed my point. I am not elated about the growth of Com/ASA and the shrinking of Delta mainline. I fully understand the ramifications and why this is really a bad thing. I guess to put it all in other words is that I keep hearing pilots (Delta mainline)state that things cant happen to us because the contract says so. Yet, things keep happening anyway. Delta management will find a way around your contract as they have done in the past. It is time for mainline guys to realize this (I am sure many already do). It reminds me of a little shoolboy putting his hands over his ears and yelling LALALALALA so he wont hear and see what is going on around him. It seems to me that with the recent (previously prohibited) codeshare agreement, increase in DCI percentages, continuing furloughs, and a new "alter ego" LCC, that the Delta mainline guys are eating their young to save the senior guys. What I was trying to put out in my previous post is that something needs to be done to protect present and future furloughs. The industry is changing all around us and ALPA hasent figured it out yet. In a couple years from now, they (ALPA) will be scratching their heads wondering what happened and trying to fugure out why they were not invited to the party.

$2.5 Billion lost from people who won't fly due to security reasons. HMMMM. Well, our planes are still full, and I guess people who pay lower fares don't mind the hassles, but business travelers who used to pay $2500 for a one way ticket do. That is not the fault of our pilots, and that really is Marketing's problem. And our contract does not have a statement saying lower fares triggers more pilot furloughs. Nope.

Contract or not, if you have less money comming in that you do going out (over long periods of time), regardless of who's fault it is, there will be layoffs and no contract will stop it. Delta management will find a way.

Super Ed
There are several articles that state the same thing that I quoted concerning the "contract is a contract". With the exception of John Lay, I have not read anything to the contrary. I have personally talked with several Delta mainline Captains (ones that I frequently commute with) who have stated that the article I documented was in fact correct and those events did in fact happen as described in the article. Additionally, there were two other senior Captains that wrote to the Atlanta Consitution during C2K negotiations stating that Mr. Lay was infact "missinformed" concerning Leo Mullins past dealings with DALPA.

 

[Publishers]

General Lee

General Lee making the statement that this is
"Marketings problem" reflects the problem not the solution. The second statement that low fares do not equate to his contract also reflects an ignorance of market effect on his and the others future. If fares do not go up, both mainline pilots left may be making a nice living.

These things are all inter related and pilots are not going to see their contract maintained in that situation,.