Okay, I know I will get the usual name calling and other BS, and in a way this is flame bait, but I would bet that DAL management (that's the first joke), will try to scab the airline and keep it running. Probably will fail, but probably they will fail anyway. This management has clearly shown their hostile intent and preparedness for this debacle they find them selves in. If they had shown this much foresight before, they proably would not be in half the trouble they are in now.
Contrary to popular belief on this website, I believe there are enough pilots out of work, or those who think this is their last big chance, that they could man the airline at at least 50% within 60 days, and after that get it up to something around 75% within four to five months. Remember, they are in BK already and if the judge(s) are prone to be anti-labor, they will continue to bend over backwards to keep this thing going.
I would hesitate to paint all the early out pilots as potential scabs as that would be a hugh disservice to this group. But it could easily be the core group to get the operation up and running again if enough crossed over. Losing ones pension could be a mighty persueder in this case. Followed by any number of other sources, including active and furloughed Delta pilots, pilots who are furloughed from other airlines. There are just to many qualifed pilots out of work today to dismiss all of them as non-combatants. Take a look at how many CAL and EAL scabs showed up for work and that was during much better times with dynamics that pale compared to todays airline situations.
I knew a couple of pilots at Western Airlines who were flying Capt. on the B727 that bailed to go over to UAL during that strike. I couldn't fathom how they could do this, but none the less there they were working at UAL. Both of these guys were considered great guys to fly with and be around but when it looked like Western might fail, they caught the first ride out of town. Unbelieveable, yes.
Unlikely, No. Go figure.
Contrary to popular belief on this website, I believe there are enough pilots out of work, or those who think this is their last big chance, that they could man the airline at at least 50% within 60 days, and after that get it up to something around 75% within four to five months. Remember, they are in BK already and if the judge(s) are prone to be anti-labor, they will continue to bend over backwards to keep this thing going.
I would hesitate to paint all the early out pilots as potential scabs as that would be a hugh disservice to this group. But it could easily be the core group to get the operation up and running again if enough crossed over. Losing ones pension could be a mighty persueder in this case. Followed by any number of other sources, including active and furloughed Delta pilots, pilots who are furloughed from other airlines. There are just to many qualifed pilots out of work today to dismiss all of them as non-combatants. Take a look at how many CAL and EAL scabs showed up for work and that was during much better times with dynamics that pale compared to todays airline situations.
I knew a couple of pilots at Western Airlines who were flying Capt. on the B727 that bailed to go over to UAL during that strike. I couldn't fathom how they could do this, but none the less there they were working at UAL. Both of these guys were considered great guys to fly with and be around but when it looked like Western might fail, they caught the first ride out of town. Unbelieveable, yes.
Unlikely, No. Go figure.
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