Delta strike.....

[mcjohn]

I was just driving home from work around 11:30pm this Tuesday night and the radio news mentioned that Delta was to strike. I heard earlier on the news today that if Delta does strike it will definitely shut the airline down. This is a big deal and kind of freaks me out. The classic airline could just disappear. I have an uncle that's been with them for 30 years as a F/A. Anyway here's my questions:
1. If Delta goes, what effect will it have on the rest of the industry?
2. Who will be rushing to fill the space left by such a large airline?
3. Is this as simple as management trying to throw a contract out?

Obviously, I'm pretty clueless here so if anyone wants to break it all down in a manner that is easily understood, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[indianboy7]

any old fogies here that were around during the eastern and pan am days?? The situations today seem eerily similar to back then.....

 

[frog_flyer]

they arent gonna strike....


but.... buy airtran stock

 

[C601]

they arent gonna strike....


but.... buy airtran stock

Why won't they, explain ?

"
Strike threats are "a typical step to gain leverage at the bargaining table," Anthony Sabino, a business law expert and professor at St. John's University, said in a note.
But if the union follows through on the threat, it would almost certainly be the end of the airline, he said."

 

[mcjohn]

1. Fares will go up?
2. LLCs?
3. No?

 

[HAL]

When any situation gets pushed as far as the Delta pilots/management situation has gone, there is no way to tell where it will end. Bystanders can (and will) voice opinions from the sideline to the effect that 'they're just going to cut their own throats', and 'they'll never go that far'. Don't bet on it.

The pay, work rules, benefits, pension etc have all been so eroded over the last few years that a large number of the pilots believe that it simply is not worth being at the job, or having the job exist at all. You all know the saying about being wary of a cornered lion - I think the Delta pilots feel that way. Is this the calm, logical way to settle the matter; of course not. But both sides have been pushing hard, and in a fight like that emotions can run wild.

The pilots are looking at the choice of 1) having the job that should engender respect and good pay but instead has had huge cuts rammed down their throats, or 2) saying goodbye to the job. It looks like a lot of them are picking #2. Is it right? Is it logical? Probably not. But it is human. Will they strike? I wouldn't bet against it.

HAL

 

[Fearless Tower]

HAL's got a good point...the way Delta management has pushed the pilots lately, particularly with regards to more pay cuts while trying to give top execs pay bonuses, there has to be a whole lot of pilots who are asking themselves alot of questions about how much it's all worth. I'm sure there are many who are seriously contemplating retiring early. There are bound to be some who may have developed such a sour taste for major airline flying that they are willing to hang it up for good and there are probably plenty who right now are thinking maybe they'd rather be flying boxes, 'cuz boxes don't bitch.

At this point in the game, I'd say that anything is possible. The big 'what if' is the question regarding what will happen to the industry when the nation's third largest carrier disappears.

 

[FlyBigE]

It is a shame it has gone this far but management has no one to blame but themselves. If the pilots do strike (and I think they should) it will send a message to the airlines that enough in enough. Unfortunately, management will probably still get bonuses and their golden parachutes while the guys/gals that work everyday will get hurt the most. Somebody needs to make a standy or we are all going to be working for minimum wage with no benefits just so joe blow can buy a $30 ticket.

 

[Lollie]

I agree with fly...I think that the pilots should set a presidence. I know my spouse will have to make major changes and go though stress if the co. goes under, but everyone will be better off. This is such a capitalist utopia...

 

[bssthound]

flybige posted:

management has no one to blame but themselves. If the pilots do strike (and I think they should) it will send a message to the airlines that enough in enough. Unfortunately, management will probably still get bonuses and their golden parachutes while the guys/gals that work everyday will get hurt the most.

The first couple sentences are assuming "mgmt" gives a damn about the airline. I think it's all about the last part: golden parachutes/bonuses. "There's still a little blood left in the turnip, let's suck it out."

A few years back, when I was commuting from New Orleans to ATL, a DAL flight attendant who'd been there close to 30 years summed it up very, very well. She said "Delta used to be something to be proud of, now it's like working at McDonald's."