NWA + DAL Part II

[ExAF]

Totally Agree

Terrific post. Can't disagree with any of it.

"Will the Delta pilot receive as much economic benefit as the NWA pilot?

No, but how much does it matter what the other guy is getting?"

Exactly.

What is it about our nature (as professional pilots) that we would rather be the highest paid pilot at $90,000 a year than be the lowest paid pilot at $130,000 a year?

I never understood that mentality.

I totally agree with both of the above posts. Right On!

I also want to interject one more thought. It is not how I feel personally, but it has been my experience that what the junior guys want/should get usually doesn't matter much to those doing the negotiating or making the decisions. Maybe this time it is different, but I seriously doubt it. None of them will really have a say until they've been on the property for at least 1 year and then they are severely outnumbered depending on how far down the list the effect of the issue at hand reaches. Sad, but that is the reality.

 

[NuGuy]

Heyas,

I agree with most of the above. There are subtle, and not-so-subtle pressures on both outfits to get the job done.

One thing that NWA brings, which doesn't really help the pilots, is the "golden share" issue with CAL.

Does this have any bearing on the current situation? Only indirectly. As long as NWA is stand alone, they not only block their own deal, but any potential deal with CAL. With the pilots "apparently" holding up the NWA/DAL deal, this also has the effect of holding up a deal with CAL.

There is an IMMENSE amount of money in just the NWA/DAL deal alone, and when you factor in the cash to be made from a potential deal with CAL, there is IMMENSE pressure for this to be resolved. Why do you think it was "open pocketbook day" when the collective contract was negotiated? Maganement basically said "sure, uhuh, whatever you guys want, but lets get it done".

So, this begs the question...so what? Well, assuming a merger IS going to occur, deals will probably get done in one of three flavors:

DAL and NWA guys can't come to an agreement, RA calls it off, and NWA goes on to play with someone else, most likey CAL. DAL has to play shotgun marriage with someone else, such as UAL, UNDER THE GUN, which WILL lead to arbitration. Pilot's lose...

or the DAL and NWA guys don't reach an agreement, OR an agreement is reached, but voted down by one or the other (or both) and the issue is FORCED, leading to arbitration. Again, pilots lose.

or we can work something out ahead of time, which cooler heads seem to be working on.

For the record, while the rank and file might be able to vote on the contract details, I doubt VERY seriously we'll be able to vote on the SLI...and this is coming from someone who wants NO DEAL at all.

Nu

 

[jke406]

A well-executed merger is supposed to make both parties unhappy.

This proposal appears to be a huge windfall for NWA guys any way you slice it...and a kick in the nuts for DAL guys. Not to mention, DAL guys would be stuck with a hastily negotiated contract that isn't even close to "taking it back," and far less than they'd get if they negotiated their own next year.

Why wouldn't DAL guys just vote it down and take a chance with arbitration? With all their widebodies and international expansion, (and NWA's DC-9s, snowtown, motown, and no town) it sure seems like a risk worth taking.

ATL, NYC, CVG, SLC , LAX
vs.
MSP, DTW, MEM and SEA (small)

YGBSM.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

You forgot ANC!