Because that's what our contract says. China Eastern pilots don't have a contract. Are you having a hard time understanding this?
There will be no acceptable pay rate from the DAL pilot group if AT pilots come with the airframes. No payrate = no aircraft acquisition. SO - if ATs contract says the pilots have to go with the airframes there will be a blood letting. DAL pilots will not give up one seniority number and agree to a lesser pay rate for the 717. Why should they? Answer: They shouldn't. The laws in place to protect pilots during a merger will not work here - this isn't a merger but an asset purchase (lease). The only way I would see AT pilot coming to DAL is via staple. It is what it is. What is to prevent Kelly from parking the aircraft first. Furloughing the pilots who flew them. And then turning the aircraft into to Boeing? Answer: Nothing. Crappy tactics, but all legal. There isn't a point of leverage to use. Do you think your SWA brothers will strike to protect you? SWA wants rid of the 717s - fact. Delta solves this problem for them. SWA knows Airbus also came in now and is trying to make a better deal on 319s that are without labor issues. DAL will go with the best deal and the best fit.