sailingfun

SWA just negotiated the pay rate for the 800. If they did not ask for a different pay rate during that negotiation its unlikely they will on the 2012 contract. SWAPA does not actually like the result of being at the top of the pay scales. They would like nothing better then for other airlines to regain their historical advantage. Being at the top has led to stagnation and no growth for the first time in their history. They have essentially had their current pay rates since 2002 and have asked for only token raises since then. Don't look for any major push on SWAPA's part for any large raises or changes in the contract in 2012. The critical negotiations for Delta pilots are USAir, American and United. It does not appear likely that any of those airlines will reach a agreement prior to our amendable date.

sailingfun

I don't know a single rep working at Dalpa who believes we should be paid less then SWA in the next contract. When you make the comparison however the number that will count and be the number used by the NMB is total block hour costs not hourly pay rates. Pilots tend to have a focus on pay rates when there are so many other important area's in the contract that we need to make priorities.

Bill Lumberg

Just flew with a MSP based Capt who said his LEC reps stated we would go for a 15% pay raise over a 3 year contract. That was it. That is really what they believe they can get? Only 15%? If they have an opener like that, the DPA is a shue in. Everyone needs to fill out a wish list or call their reps and tell them that it should be SWA +1 for our 737s, nothing less. Just talking about that with that Captain gave me high blood pressure.

LeineLodge

I hope you're right. I get the distinct feeling that SWA type compensation (not just payrates) is considered the upper limit of what we could possibly hope to achieve. To me, and many others, it is a good starting point. However, I'm concerned we won't even shoot that high.

I think we all get that. It's about how much comes in the door at the end of the day. You can chop my payrate in half if we count our credit differently, such as report to rotation checkout. Doesn't matter to most of us - just looking for whatever nets the most at the end of the day.

You're underestimating the pilot group thinking that we're not smart enough to see beyond the tables in Section 3.

hockeypilot44

I've talked to ATL and DTW reps. They all have higher expectations than that. MSP was always the company ass-kissers at NWA. I would not worry too much about it.

chuck416

For PMNW pilots, EVERY day on reserve was "short-call". Current reserve is MUCH better, but, let's face it, a bunch of guys still try to commute to a reserve schedule. Would a 79 hr guarantee on reserve be worth all days being short-call? Good question, but clearly, improvements are needed. 70 hr guarantee is too low. Anybody disagree?

johnso29

Delta will decide on plane order by year-end - Yahoo! Finance


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc will make a decision on buying planes by the end of the year, its chief executive said on Thursday.

"We'll make a fleet decision by the end of the year on mid-body replacement," CEO Richard Anderson said, adding that the decision would likely come before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday in late November.

He cited some weakness in the U.S. economy but said Delta's forward bookings look strong.

"We're seeing some softening in the economy ... the indicators aren't what you would like them to be," Anderson told reporters after the company's annual shareholder meeting. He said Europe's economy was where he sees the most weakness.

Delta, the No. 2 air carrier behind United Continental Holdings (NYSE:UAL - News), said earlier this week it expects a "solidly profitable" second quarter as higher revenues have for the most part offset rising fuel costs.

The airline sent a request to several plane makers late last year for proposals to deliver up to 200 planes to replace aging models. Possible orders could include large, medium and small single-aisle planes to be used on U.S. routes, Delta said earlier this year.

The head of Brazilian plane maker Embraer's (Sao Paolo:EMBR3.SA - News) commercial aviation unit told Reuters last week at the Paris Air Show that he saw "good chances" of firm orders from Delta this year.

Whidbey

There are factors that have had much more influence on the stagnation at SWA than pilot pay.

acl65pilot

Agree.

The ATL reps have been hearing what their pilots have been telling them. The contract survey is the most important piece to the whole thing. Pilots must convey they expectations in the survey for it to equate to a position at the table.

Most of the guys I fly with are looking for all sections to be fixed, and a sizable percentage above SWA as an absolute minimum. Even the pilots that are 57+ are saying this. I just flew with one who does not care if he sees the fruits of the contract, but he will not budge. Needless to say I applauded his point of view. (Yes, he knows scope and pay go hand in hand)

vprMatrix

I would point out that you are a RES pilot and while you have flown a lot for a RES I would but the avg ER pilot has a lower credit ratio than you. (I have no data to back that up though) My block to credit ratio is around 1.7 for the last 12 months right now so I should not complain.

I also think that the avg NB Delta pilot flies very close to the number of actual hours that a SWA pilot does. I would guess within 5-6 hours a month or 60-72 hours per year. There is little to no credit in the domestic trips so what you fly is what you get.

I have a feeling that most would fly an extra 5-6 hours per month with an avg extra day or two "OFF" in order to make much more money.

International is a different story and skews the numbers when trying to make a good comparison.

In any event. I wholeheartedly agree that we need more soft money in the next contract. Leg-by-leg cnx pay, and 6+ hrs minimum calendar day pay for all pilots, and 75 hr min guarantee are a must for the next contract.

In fact with a 6:15 min day I could let the leg-by-leg cnx pay thing go.