Neal Boortz comments on DAL Union

[Medeco]

For those who dont know Boortz, he is a local ATL AM radio talk show host who is an avid GA pilot, and hates unions as you will see. He is also heard nationwide.

BOORTZ.com

Id like to hear some response from those who can debate with words that sound like professionals.

For the record, I am a supporter of the Union and its need to be heard and dealt with in a fair manner.

Im just looking for some well thought out arguments to his comments.


Medeco

HERE WE GO WITH THE UNION PILOTS AGAIN

We'll find out soon whether or not that bankruptcy court judge is going to let Delta Airlines void their contract with the Delta pilot's union. The union, as unions will do, is talking tough. A Delta pilots union said "If our contract is rejected we will strike, and we will strike at a time and place of our choosing."
How brave! How bold! How typically union! Your employer is fighting for its very life, and you're out there beating your chest and talking about strikes.
Remember, there is precedence for this. It is quite likely that a pilot's union strike would destroy Delta airlines. Would a pilot's union do this? Hell yes they would! Have you forgotten Eastern Airlines? At Eastern you had the sad case of a union going on strike with the specific objection of destroying its own employer. Those Eastern pilots wanted Eastern Airlines to fail, and they got their wish. Some of those pilots never flew for money again ... a likely outcome that, if it were not for the union mob mentality, these pilots might have foreseen.
These Delta pilots need to ask themselves a question. Are they professional, highly skilled pilots? Or are they merely union laborers on a par with someone working an assembly line? Are they individuals, or just part of a mob?
What do I think? I don't think they're stupid enough to go on strike. Maybe that's just wishful thinking. They are, after all, union members

 

[GogglesPisano]

He needs to read a little history before pontificating on the EAL strike.

I've listened to him before. He claims to be a libertarian, but in fact he's just another right-wing windbag.

 

[Occam's Razor]

HERE WE GO WITH THE UNION PILOTS AGAIN
http://boortz.com/images/eastern_airlines.jpgWe'll find out soon whether or not that bankruptcy court judge is going to let Delta Airlines void their contract with the Delta pilot's union. The union, as unions will do, is talking tough. A Delta pilots union said "If our contract is rejected we will strike, and we will strike at a time and place of our choosing."
How brave! How bold! How typically union! Your employer is fighting for its very life, and you're out there beating your chest and talking about strikes.

What could possibly motivate a group of highly-regarded, well-compensated professionals to threaten their livelihood? Could it be something other than "supidity", as Boortz claims?

The airline is not "fighting for it's life". It is trying to do what UAL and AAA did...reduce costs, which in-turn encourages investment, which in-turn leads to reorganization of the corporation.

Perhaps Boortz could pontificate on the amount of money the managers "fighting for its very life" paid themselves after the employees had taken dramatic cuts in pay, benefits, and work rules.

Remember, there is precedence for this. It is quite likely that a pilot's union strike would destroy Delta airlines. Would a pilot's union do this? Hell yes they would! Have you forgotten Eastern Airlines? At Eastern you had the sad case of a union going on strike with the specific objection of destroying its own employer. Those Eastern pilots wanted Eastern Airlines to fail, and they got their wish. Some of those pilots never flew for money again ... a likely outcome that, if it were not for the union mob mentality, these pilots might have foreseen.

Maybe it's not "mob mentality", but rather rational people who are proud of thier profession, and don't want to see it destroyed by slash-and-burn short-timers who come on board to make a quick buck. When was Mr. Grinstein hired? How long had Lorenzo been at EAL? Show me Tilton's 5-year pin.

Delta Airlines isn't the suits at Fort Widget. The company is the people who fly, fix, clean, and board the planes. How dare the employees have a say in the future of their company! That's "mob mentality" to Boortz.

These Delta pilots need to ask themselves a question. Are they professional, highly skilled pilots?

ipso facto

If Boortz is actually a pilot himself, then he knows the answer to that one. If he can't comprehend why pilots would fight for their profession, maybe he should ask why every US airliner crash is his lead story for a month.

Or are they merely union laborers on a par with someone working an assembly line? Are they individuals, or just part of a mob?

By Boortz's logic, those who threaten to quit because they aren't getting paid enough are part of "mob". Howard Stern (another DJ) signs for $1-billion. So when, in contract negotiations, he refused XM's offer of $600-million, he was a virtual "assembly line" worker? Since when is threatening to quit unless a fair deal is made, un-American?

What do I think?

Trisket's are the bomb? Aliens have been stealing your luggage? Cher is a hottie? Polar bears like chili beans?

There is no end to the dopey things you COULD think...so you're going to have to narrow the options a bit...

I don't think they're stupid enough to go on strike. Maybe that's just wishful thinking. They are, after all, union members

And some are...gasp...Lutherans! Others are...shudder...veterans! A few are...I KNEW it...homosexuals! Many of them are...shock...decent men and women who think Boortz is a moron.

 

[Dave Siegel]

Hi, it's Dave. It's wonderful to see that if you educate a pilot properly, even they will see that pilot wages truly can be the downfall of this troubled industry.

Neal Boortz' comments on DAL Union are one-hundred percent correct. He is a great American, and knows what must be done to keep the engine of capitalism turning.

 

[CaptainMark]

see northwest pilot paycut video thread..you management loving dopes

 

[sandman2122]

Obvioulsly it's NOT managements' severence packages that are hurting the airline. No, lets put the blame on the pilots.

Neal Boortz is a moron.

But hey, what do I know, I don't have an MBA!

 

[HalinTexas]

In an ideal world, we wouldn't need unions.

It's not an ideal world.

I hate ALPA. They're aren't worth the money I pay.

DALPA will settle on a concessionary contract right before an 1113(c) petition is filed with the court.

I will ask Neil this, "What's the purpose of a contract?" Particularly if you can't or won't honor it. If Boeing and the other creditors can evenutally get their money through a renegotiated contract in bankruptcy, why can't a labor union?

 

[Medeco]

In an ideal world, we wouldn't need unions.

It's not an ideal world.

I hate ALPA. They're aren't worth the money I pay.

DALPA will settle on a concessionary contract right before an 1113(c) petition is filed with the court.

I will ask Neil this, "What's the purpose of a contract?" Particularly if you can't or won't honor it. If Boeing and the other creditors can evenutally get their money through a renegotiated contract in bankruptcy, why can't a labor union?

This is exactly what I was looking for. Short ,simple, and on point. Very nice.

Medeco

 

[jetstream]

What people like Boortz always fail to mention is that we just can't leave and go to another airline without having to start over at the bottom. When you are in that position it puts things in an entirely different perspective.

 

[spinproof]

He needs to read a little history before pontificating on the EAL strike.

I've listened to him before. He claims to be a libertarian, but in fact he's just another right-wing windbag.

..and Duane Worthless is a left-wing windbag..whats the difference? They both Talk, Talk,Talk! The results NO ACTION!

 

[Chest Rockwell]

I am sure that Boortz is under contract. I wonder what he would say if the management at his station/syndication company was in a mess and told him that he was taking a 50% pay cut even though his job performance/ratings were satisfactory.

 

[General Lee]

In an ideal world, we wouldn't need unions.

It's not an ideal world.

I hate ALPA. They're aren't worth the money I pay.

DALPA will settle on a concessionary contract right before an 1113(c) petition is filed with the court.

I will ask Neil this, "What's the purpose of a contract?" Particularly if you can't or won't honor it. If Boeing and the other creditors can evenutally get their money through a renegotiated contract in bankruptcy, why can't a labor union?

I don't know about that. We may accept a concessionary contract, but not even close to what Delta is asking for. They want unlimited scope, zero credit for a possible pension dump, and more pay cuts. Any proposal close to that will be voted DOWN. We have lost 2300 super loyal and super senior pilots at Delta, leaving a younger and more determined group that has more options. That is the way it goes. We barely accepted the last pay cut--14%, and we won't go for another major one, especially one with unlimited scope. No way. And Neil Boortz can suk my a$$.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Occam's Razor]

..and Duane Worthless is a left-wing windbag..

No he's not! I'm a left-wing windbag, and he's never at any of the meetings!

..whats the difference? They both Talk, Talk,Talk! The results NO ACTION!

...typed the man sitting in his den, yakking on a lame Forum.

So how come you haven't taken a high-powered rifle and climbed a clock tower?

"Talk! Talk! Talk!"

"NO ACTION!"

 

[HS125]

I am sure that Boortz is under contract. I wonder what he would say if the management at his station/syndication company was in a mess and told him that he was taking a 5-% pay cut even though his job performance/ratings were satisfactory.

He may not like the 5% pay cut but I don't think he would give it much thought. Now if you were to make it a 50% pay cut like the pilots are being asked to take, along with all the other give backs, I think old Neal just might say ouch.

 

[81Horse]

No he's not! I'm a left-wing windbag, and he's never at any of the meetings!"

I thought you looked familiar.

 

[Chest Rockwell]

HS125,

Sorry for the typo.

 

[Huck]

Neil's got a bunch of Airtran stock.

You guys should have heard him crooning about Valujet, back in the day. He must have owned some of them too....

The basis of all labor relations in this country is contractual. He knows that. I bet there ain't an at-will employee within a hundred feet of his microphone.

 

[-9Capt]

Neil's got a bunch of Airtran stock.

.

If Neil owned a bunch of AirTran stock I think he'd be encouraging a strike at Delta!!

 

[Medeco]

If Neil owned a bunch of AirTran stock I think he'd be encouraging a strike at Delta!!

UHhhhhh. In a round about way, he was/is.

And Georgia is a right to work state so the comments from the guy assuming there is not a worker near the Microphone under contract or union is wrong.

General Lee, Im sorry, but I betting Scope is out the door, regardless of what your reps say.

We shall see.

Medeco

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

I live in ATL and listen to Neil quite often. I have lost a lot of respect for Neil for shooting off his mouth on something he knows nothing about. ATL people listen in on Monday, I'm going to call Neil and talk with him on this issue.

 

[General Lee]

Ask him if we sold $2 billion in stock just before 9-11 to inflate our stock options? That was our fault. Nah, we couldn't have used that to pay off some debt or anything like that.... And, ask him if we approved the sale of the fuel hedges. Then ask him where those people are that did that, and how much money they got when they left. Lastly, ask him if he eats his own poop?


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

UHhhhhh. In a round about way, he was/is.

And Georgia is a right to work state so the comments from the guy assuming there is not a worker near the Microphone under contract or union is wrong.

General Lee, Im sorry, but I betting Scope is out the door, regardless of what your reps say.

We shall see.

Medeco

Say what? Scope is out the window? What? Nobody here wants to allow more than 70 seats. I talked to a Captain rep, the most senior of the bunch, and he said NO WAY. Lee Moak is a 737-200 Captain, and he would be affected the most, since the larger RJs would replace his plane, and he is the MEC Chairman. You don't think they tell the negotiators that? Riiiiiiiight. Now, I don't know if some scope issues will be relieved a bit, like more 70 seaters allowed etc, but I doubt much more will happen. Everyone I have talked to said they would say a big NO to any agreement that allowed larger RJs. We shall see indeed.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[witchdoctor]

Maybe I'm Wrong

Wasn't it the mechanics strike that ultimately did EAL in??

 

[81Horse]

Well, a lot of people think it was Frank Lorenzo who murdered EAL.

He's around here somewhere, so I'm sure he'll weigh in with his opinion soon.

 

[-9Capt]

Wasn't it the mechanics strike that ultimately did EAL in??

Here is some recommended reading

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1893122131/002-1302650-2772841?v=glance&n=283155

 

[witchdoctor]

Lorenzo

I realize that he was the cause of Easterns failure. I was actually thinking about the final nail in the coffin. Though I certainly don't blame the Mechs or any labor group for that matter, who could work for that ass under those conditions. It is almost exactly what NWA workers face today.

 

[81Horse]

... It is almost exactly what NWA workers face today.

Boy howdy!