Fins,
I personally don't have anything against you either, but sometimes, like I said in my earlier post, it comes off that you are mad at the world and not liking your situation. I can understand that, and if someone wants to give me some praise that I do or do not deserve then let it be. I don't think he labeled me the "Grand Pooh bah" or whatever because I was a "Delta Pilot"---he probably asked my a question because I obviously spend a lot of time on this board (1700 or more posts---yikes) and he just wanted my opinion. I try to give my opinions based on truths and my own experience through out the years----and I wish everyone a good career. I don't have anything stating that I am a "know it all"-----I just give my opinion on what is going on and listen to others give theirs. Some people call it spin, I just call it what I see in the lounge or on the line. I know Delta and Dalpa aren't perfect, and it sure would be nice if they would sit down and play nice, but I personally can't control that. You could write five pages of your opinions about how Dalpa/ALPA has screwed everyone, and all I could do was agree or disagree.
As far as current operations, I personally want them to come up with a paycut solution so we can move on and compete better. But, I don't think we should give 30% etc when others do not give also. We all have a lot to lose if this thing tanks, so everyone should be a part of the "giving"---including management. Our CFO has already given 8%, and that is great. We said we would give 13.5% (9% plus the May raise), but that isn't good enough. How about everyone give 20%? Everyone. Would that be fair? I think so. But, some people don't want to be a part of that. I think most of the pilots would give 15% and the May raise of 4.5%= 19.5%. Let's see where that goes, but right now management doesn't want to negotiate--and that is what has to happen when we have a contract.
I know you don't like this postition, but our Scope protects us. We have allowed DCI to fly up to 49% of all of our flying, and I think that is pretty good. You guys have gained quite a bit since 9-11, and now that the market is coming back (in numbers, not higher fares), you will still keep those higher percentages, not go back to pre-9-11 levels. We have more RJs than any other Major, and that has helped us when we needed it. Now things are changing. The LCCs are threatening us more with newer airplanes and lower fares. We actually need larger planes to compete---giving the pax more room and allowing us more seats to spread out the costs better. A lot of our best customers don't like flying RJs on long stage lengths. Yes, our costs need to come down, but also we need to compete with the likes of Airtran and Jetblue with their newer planes and entertainment (XM radio, Live TV etc.). What do you guys want at DCI? Do you want to compete with us for the right to fly 100 seaters or 737s? We still have 1060 guys out on the street, and Comair won't even help them without them severing their Delta ties.... What exactly do you guys want with regards to scope? More CR7s are coming this year, and they are being placed on routes like JFK-DFW. That is crazy. What is our marketing department thinking? Can't they find more than 70 people who want to fly between those two large cities? It baffles me.
Well, I might have been a little harsh on you before, but you have to remember that I just give my opinions and actually enjoy this forum. If someone thinks I have some sort of special "wisdom", then great. I don't claim to be a "know it all", and I don't think all Delta pilots are "know it alls" either.
Bye Bye--General Lee
