Comair Rumors

[FlyComAirJets]

If the pilots take pay cuts at Comair, then we should stipulate that no other part of the company eg flight attendants, mechanics, ramp workers, or customer service agents, should take a pay cut ... except management!

 

[Skull-One]

You must remember that DAL remembers quite well the 89-day CVG Ghost Town. They aren't going to allow such a thing to happen again. Any thought of an ASA/CMR DCI monopoly/oligopoly is a pipe dream. It will never happen. DAL's goal is to make each DCI carrier an expendible and easily replaced cog.

CMR pilots are looking at this the wrong way if you ask me. Instead of demanding that all DCI carriers go away in exchange for concessions, CMR should go to MGT and say, "Hey, you know what? We're profitable. CHQ just got a nine percent raise and they have more days off and no junior manning. We want one of the three."

Say what you want about the CHQ TA, but it will close the gap between us and CMR. That can work in CMR's favor if they choose to exploit it.

 

[rjcap]

No concessions, no pay cuts.

If Delta wants to farm out more flying to CHQ then go ahead and let them. They can also bring in MESA and let those guys fly the routes. If the industry is going to nose dive and make $18,000/yr first officers take pay cuts then its time to go.

You will never be able to protect your flying in this company. Management will do as they see fit and continue to play off one group against another. Control of who does the flying is just an illusion. There will always be a circumstance where that control is lost.

Don't forget that the problem is the mainline pilots compensation package and not DCI.

If DCI suffers another work disruption like the Comair strike it will merely supply Leo the reason to file Chapter 11 which would really solve his problems with mainline. The pilots at ASA would be more than happy to supply that work disruption if we are approached with a concessionary contract.

There are so many problems with this airline, ASA, that dissolving it completely would be a viable solution.

 

[asacap]

rjcap,

I agree 100%. I would rather scoop ice cream than take a pay cut. I say screw them. Let the company go out of business.. Lets not follow skywest down the hill. Lets be different and stand up for what is right. NO to consessions. Not a single penny.

 

[sleepy]

So General, Are you admitting that the DAL MEC is behind the request for concessions at Comair?

 

[JI Gone OH]

The Delta MEC can request anything they want, but the fact is they do not dictate what happens to the COMAIR Pilot group and will not get a cent from us. I GUARANTEE!!

 

[General Lee]

Medeco,

I know the regional salaries are poor, and used to fly Brasilias back in the early '90s and I know what you mean. I don't know what they would work out, that is up to the negotiators. I just don't think one group should be singled out because they have a great contract. That doesn't mean that everyone should be taxed the same----of course the mainline pilots should take a bigger hit---but not the only hit. Management doesn't really want to go after the other groups because they don't want other unions on the property. We at Dalpa pay big bucks to protect ourselves, and the others mainline work groups do not. Everyone should have to contribute a little---including management. As I said before, I would NOT expect the other groups to contribute the same % as we do, but everyone really is in this together, and everyone should have to sacrifice. As far as Comair and ASA pilots, that is up to their negotiators---not Dalpa. They have their own contracts and their own interests. I have heard that if we give up 15%---that would save around $270 million a year. If the other groups contribute 5-10%, along with management---I bet we could get a combined total of $500 million a year---helping with that debt problem. This is a problem for everyone, and I think we will give a lot and do our part eventually.


Sleepy,

I don't think our MEC chair stated that "We also want Comair/ASA to give some back..." but, I think he said that we at Dalpa were not going to be the only ones to sacrifice. You can make up your own conclusions---but I think that really means the other work groups at Delta--including management. Our Dalpa MEC has no control of your own contract---and there is no way they can force you into taking any cuts---I think you know that. We negotiated the C2K contract fairly, and are willing to give up some pay----but to be the only ones to do so would show the others that unions always get slapped. That is what management is trying to show the flt attendants and mechanics---don't go union. This is a problem for everyone---including you---and your negotiators will have to represent you.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[asacap]

General Lee,

We are not the highest paid pilots for our equipment type. For us to take cuts is rediculous. A few years ago, you guys were putting us all down for not demanding higher pay. Now you want us to take cuts too. Let me put it this way, I would rather see Delta close their doors than to take a single penny in cuts.

I hope all the furloughs come back soon and you guys remain the highest paid pilots. But the thought that we should take cuts too is wrong. Do you know how much we make? Good lord.

 

[IFLYASA]

2nd Year ASA Flight Attendant 19.75$ per hour
2nd Year ASA CRJ50 First Officer 33.65$ per hour

2nd Year Delta Flight Attendant, Not sure, but more than ASA
2nd Year Delta MD-88 First Officer 110.09$ per hour


Cutting ASA/Comair salaries does very little.

 

[sleepy]

General, I think that if it comes out that your MEC is behind the Comair concession thing, then it wil give the RJDC a great issue. It would be a PR coup for them.

How about a concession system that is like our tax system (progressive). The more money you make, the bigger the concession rate. DAL management would be at the 39% concession rate. DAL pilots would be at the 25 to 35% concession rate, and ASA and Comair pilots would (because of our super low pay and no benefits) get the Earned Income Concession Credit or EICC. A portion of the DAL Management and Pilots concessions would be transfered to the ASA and Comair pilots because we don't make enough money to actually give a concession.

 

[asacap]

IFLYASA,

Thanks for the good post.

I have always supported the Delta pilots. I want the furloughed people to come back as soon as possible. However, the thought that we should share in the pay cuts pisses me off. Like I said earlier, we are not the highest paid pilots for our equipment AND we are making money. Why should we take cuts? Even if you guys take the proposed cuts, you would still be the highest paid pilots and you're still loosing money. I would rather have us all go out of business than for ASA/Comair to take any cuts at all. You guys need to get real.

 

[General Lee]

Sleepy,

I never said the cuts would be the same. I love how everyone likes to say that Delta mainline is the one losing money---the whole corporation is losing money due to the debt payments. Delta mainline made an operational profit of $31 million in June, and probably more in July and August. You and I are in the same corporation----Delta INC. Delta INC owns ASA/Comair, and mainline Delta. Got it?

ASACAP,

So, Comair has the highest pay in the regionals. Should they take a major cut also just like we should since we are the highest paid mainline? I am not saying that the cuts should be equal---but everyone who has a stake in this job should make a sacrifice.


IFLYASA,

I know the salaries are lower at ASA. (I've been in that range too--even lower in early '90s) But, some of you might want to eventually go up to Delta mainline (and the ASA pilots will have a chance)---and your chance at higher salaries awaits you. Regardless, your negotiators will do the negotiating for you---not us. If they don't want to give---then that is up to them.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Palerider957]

General,

If the DAL pilot group wants to choose the singular issue to align ASA/CMR pilots AGAINST them, keep pushing the concessions gig. Really, concessions at our level are rediculous. I have to say I'm with RJCAP, and IFLYASA.... at this point in my career I'd rather see the doors close and ASA/CMR/DAL go the way of the dinosaurs, then take a pay cut.

We all bit.ch and moan about poor salaries, and how we can make more money doing other things. If concessions are thrown at us, I simply wont' be able to afford to continue in this job--hence, I'll have nothing to lose.

At some point we have to have some self respect as professionals. I don't relish the idea of a strike, but I would support it if it came to that.

With our new contract (whenever that comes around), I will NOT vote for anything that doesn't include a reasonable wage increase and some QOL improvements.

We can talk about the Delta "famliy," but this is where I come out.

We work WAY too hard for this.

 

[General Lee]

Palerider957,

I know you work hard and make squat--I was there too. If you think this is the end of your career, then I could see why you might want to quit. But, it is not. If you are at ASA you will probably have a chance to go higher---and there will ABSOLUTELY be a good chance for you guys to interview at the big D when they start at it again. The rumors out today include: management has already sent the 100 seat request to "purchasing", there will be a Hawaii crew base for the 767-400, and they will also start flying it to Europe now that it has a crew rest seat. Things are moving and things will get better. I don't know if they will ask you for a pay cut or maybe they want you to take a smaller raise---I don't know. But, all we are asking for is for everyone to contribute---and the amount might be miniscule. I don't know the stats, but I would think that your portion would be very small--but I don't know. You just can't single out one employee group---the only one that is unionized---and expect for them to take the brunt when they are the only ones who have a contract. As far as your group----it is not up to us, but rather your negotiators. If they give up money, it is not our fault.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[AFELLOWAVIATOR]

Gen.,

Why don't you go away? You obviously feel mighty good about yourself, it shows. You are a typical mainline pilot who when times were good, and our MEC had the right idea, merge, you guys denied we were even remotely related. Now when times are bad for you, we are one big family, and we all need to contribute.

There will be no concessions at Comair. I know it is hard to understand the concept, but we will not be pushed around by any one. We have already shown this a number of times, like when burgey attempted to ramrod our MEC into that BS "deal".

Like I have said a number of times, you sir, are so full of yourself, it is comical.