While I would like to believe that DALPA has a vested intrest in our well being, it has been stated by LM himself, that he is out for the betterment of HIS pilot group alone. To pin our future on a gentleman's agreement with no concrete or binding literature would be foolish, at best. I welcome any opportunity to work with Delta on furthering the profession as a whole, but I absolutely will not stand for being a sacrificial lamb to further someone elses' agenda. The reality is, we DO need to meet our cost target. This is especially critical given the amount of RJ flying that is out there as a result of the merger, rising fuel costs, and weak travel demand. There are several abundantly clear points here- Delta is making business decisions on money alone, they don't interject emotion or love into their decisions, and they don't foster a love for RJ's they way they once did.
Because of the above, I'm thinking we will ultimately end up with two initiatives- dual qual, and PBS. Not because we want to, but because we HAVE to- we can thank Pinch-nickle for that. If this T/A passes, it's a new ball game for us. I'm not in favor of any sort of duty rig change or hourly rate reduction, but we've got to compete here, or find ourselves looking for work.
Personally, nothing would make me happier than to wax Pinnacle while sporting better work rules and pay- just to throw it in their face. The disdain I'm harboring for Pinch-nickle at this point is burning- but I'm not suprised. I'm supressing it in the hopes that the T/A will fail, but it's unlikely. After years of working on a non compete DCI agreement, they go and cut our throats like this..........................
If Delta buys us back, we're hosed. Plain and simple. Don't kid yourself- Delta is looking at a purchase prise, as well as the benafitial cost savings of shedding 50 seat lift, saving Jet A, and cutting capacity. It seems clear to me that they won't buy us back and grow us- hasn't happened to Mesaba, Comair, or Compass, has it? Why would it be different for us- because we're ASA? I think not. Besides, whatever SkyWest manages to do in order to trim us down and get us into shape, Delta management will undo. A year after repurchase, it will be the same ole' stuff, different time. Poor management of a good regional, and even poorer organization/labor relations.
I hope our next LEC/MEC recognizes what's at stake here- our future depends on it. I also hope they recognize the importance of continued work with Delta, and the other DCI carriers..................here's hoping.
Research your candidates and vote wisely....................Definately educate yourself on this!
