satchip

I sure has heck do think it's a scope violation. I'm just not going to support a cabal of unknown power grabbers. I'm also not going to jump up and down and demand a %50 pay raise because that's what they made in the '60s.

I haven't been around long enough to have a collective memory and a predisposition to hate my union. I'm willing to wait and see what happens in the next year or so. I'm fairly compensated, have better work rules, and better seniority and options than any other carrier, except for Southwest. Our contract is about to improve (barring any catastrophic world events) and they are nearing the end of their gravy train or at least some slowdowns. Overall I think we are in a pretty good position.

You're right, I didn't get furloughed during the worst economy and highest unemployment since the Great Depression. In your long and storied airline carreer, can you think of one instance where an airline didn't furlough under similar circumstances? That is my number one objective, job security. I don't have enough time left to make up for lost years in a furlough. Something you don't have to worry about.

forgot to bid

That's funny on so many levels.

I haven't voted... yet.

I want to vote for President of DALPA. If Slowplay runs, I might vote for him. I just want the right to vote for the top so that changes go top down not bottom up.

That would allow for change and a direct voice. If we see nothing mention or done about the STS for RAH then I'm fine with either the DPA or IBT as in a "can't be any worse."

scambo1

That is what it boils down to.

Sink r8

Feeling a little over-sensitive? You highlighted a clear rationale for the way things are, and if anyone slammed you for it, I missed it. I think we can make Reserves better, without the artificial tool of steering the open time their way. I assume the person who would have swapped into the ATH would have given up something reasonable, and that person might have dropped a DUB, which would be decent. And maybe someone would jump on that, and maybe they wouldn't. I assume not everyone would be constantly trying to improve their lot, so the Reserves wouldn't be flying the absolute worse trips possible, and many people would have shot at a slight upgrade. Also, I think it might be a good idea to stop the swaps at the limit between LC and SC (i.e. 12 hours). I haven't thought it through fully, but that seems like it would be a good compromise.

Sink r8

I defy you to explain how it "can't be any any worse" under DPA. You might hope it wouldn't be worse. There are plenty of logical arguments to suggest it could fall in somewhere between bad, and right down terrible. I'll start:

1) USAPA.

I'd give you more leeway under an IBT scenario. They seem to have a better track record.

Sink r8

I'll tell you what would do trigger such a move: my instincts stopping to warn me that everything about DPA screams "AVOID". You're making the case for better scope language, and you're on ALPA's case, but I don't see anything about your argument that makes me feel DPA would be a good alternative. In fact, I find your leap of logic a bit suspect.

Luftwaffe

Why don't you call your rep's or call Delta pilot Rick Dominguez, Scope Chairman, and ask him your specific questions. Two other posters have previously posted the following…
“CONCLUSION - The Board finds that Chatauqua, Shuttle, RA, Frontier and Lynx are operating as as a single transportation system (Republic Airlines et al/Frontier) for the craft or class of Pilots for representation purposes under the RLA. As detailed below, the former Midwest Pilots are included in the single transportation system” and
"Republic Air Holdings has a single seniority list, but operates under separate FAA certificates at each airline. The FAA certificate determines a scope violation. The MEC will publish information on this later in the week." This is much like Mesa had done with Freedom, aka past precedent.
While you or I or anyone else may not like it, it doesn’t violate our scope clause for now. Scope continues to be monitored closely by Delta pilot volunteers that feel the same way you do and don’t want our scope clause violated.

Sink r8

Maybe true, but insufficient nonetheless.

I'm not normally for saber-rattling, or tilting at windmills. On a certain level, if the case appears closed, it's not prudent or logical to fight a losing legal battle.

But on a polticial level, the contractual terms that make this (perhaps) a futile effort are probably not acceptable to the Delta pilots. IOW, acceptance is not a satisfactory response.

I don't need to hear we're going to expand resources on a losing battle. I don't need angry, or stupid statements. I just would like the MEC to deliberate on this issue, and for them to speak on it. I'd like to hear from them that we do not believe the agreement respects the intent of our Scope clause, and we reserve judgement as to whether it violates the letter of the contract. We will monitor this situation closely. We see value to all parties in our constructive engagement approach to our relationship with management. The hallmark of a good relationship is the ability to settle disagreements in an open and candid way, and this is an area that will be definitely be re-visited.

There, was that so hard?

Of course, this presupposes we're not actually dumb enough to have certain individuals concede the point on a forum, thus pre-empting any such response from the MEC...

sailingfun

Two things about DPA. They so far have very little support and are no where near having enough cards to call for a election. The cards they have now are starting to expire so they have to reenlist those individuals. I know at least two people who filled out cards but wont refile them after seeing that DPA did not accomplish any of the tasks they laid out in their timeline.

The other important point is that the next contract will more then likely be the most intensely political airline contract ever negotiated. The successes we achieve or don't achieve will be decide far more at the political level behind the scenes in DC then at the negotiating table. APA has finally realized how important that aspect is which is why they have enlisted the help of ALPA. If you think DPA can be spooled up and ready to go with all the needed contacts, money and political knowledge by this time next year then I have a couple of bridges to sell you.

DAL 88 Driver

I've been furloughed. Got that square filled a long time ago. Don't get me wrong, I don't wish that on anyone... even you. But nobody... and I mean nobody... ever makes up for lost years in a furlough. Here's something else that nobody ever makes up for... 50% wages for half a decade and loss of a significant portion of your retirement. You obviously don't have the background or perspective to even understand where a good percentage of this pilot group is coming from. You don't even appear to understand the history of compensation in this profession. A 50% pay increase doesn't even get us back to the buying power we had in the year 2000. If you want to talk about the 1960's... well now you're talking about upping the ante a whole bunch.

Good luck with your "job security" objective. I sincerely hope it works out for you. Just try not to screw this profession up for the rest of us while you're here.