tsquare

Hopefully we will see some NY-7ER Captains.. we have been short for at least a year..

acl65pilot

Corporations do the transaction. Pilots and their labor groups can gain compensation or eek out other gains, like the deal being good for their pilot group by cooperating. That is about it. Delta's CEO has been beating the "further consolidation is coming" drum for the last two year, and it is only smart to prepare is we are part of it. That is what Art is doing for his pilots.

Again, separate out pilot issues and corporate issues. Art is stating what the corporate tectonics are, and how they may effect the Delta Pilot Group. He also is stating that for our cooperation, it has to be a good deal for Delta Pilots. I read that to be growth. Yes, that could be on your back, but the reverse would be true if DAL was in AMR's position or the way the TWA pilots were with you. That is the truth. What he is stating is he wants it to be a win for the pilots he represents, not more years of stagnation.

It sucks having your company sitting in court protection a half a decade after the last ones exited, but guess what? The delay is what diving other airlines to look at acquisition and or fragmentation options. The creditors are as well. Why? Value and risk. It is not any AMR pilots fault, it is what we are all faced with.

The reality is that another merger, acquisition, or asset purchase for this group may lead to more stagnation somewhere on the list. That makes many, including myself what to know the details of the transaction, if any are, prior to jumping on board for it. Another issue is the resultant PWA you guys agree to in 1113C. Combined with LCC's it could be a significant downward force on this profession. Because of all of these realities, it is just smart business for our labor leaders, and line pilots alike to think, talk about, and debate the possible outcomes of your airlines' filing. It is nothing personal, it is about protecting our career expectations, and trying to forward the Delta pilot's agenda, by either providing progression for our pilots, avoid a pitfall with more stagnation, or marginalize another CH11 PWA that could hurt our other goals that the Delta pilots deem important.

The reality is that if AMR survives it will be many years before the rest of the industry sees substantial gains in pilot contracts. It will be a result of your 1113C process, and the gutting of your agreement to keep you a stand a lone. If APA can avoid that and remain a stand alone through the court process, that is the best thing that can happen for all pilots.

There are realities at play here that were not here when NWA, DAL, LCC and UAL went though last decade. The biggest of them is the risk the creditors will see on your debt versus fragmentation, the lack of overall value in airline stocks post CH11, the creditors reducing risk by selling their assets to other carriers versus keeping your a stand alone that needs a B6 CS and two JV's to compete revenue wise, and the fact that LUV very well could be talking to the OneWorld partners to step in your place should a fragmentation occur. That last part would be a win for all of the OneWorld alliance partners because they would fly more metal in to the US. Something that LUV does not need approval for from their pilots.

All of these realities are what has the DAL pilots talking about your airlines situation. It is not them seeing blood in the water waiting hurt you. Arpy's delay is what caused this, and now the world economic and airline economic playing field favor consolidation. It may end up with you and B6 splitting up LCC and us getting parts of that, but remember that DAL is the one carrier that is the position to really move on large parts of any carrier. That alone is the reason we have a standing merger committee. It is not because we want to hose you and are begging DAL to split you up or acquire you. I know most pilot prefer DAL just buys a ton of jets and grows organically, but alas that does not seem to be in the cards.

More Bacon

Well said. Great points all!

acl65pilot

I agree that every time I talk to him, he has one of the most thought out multi-level responses I have ever seen. I have enjoyed talking to him, and am still trying to find issue like this that I disagree with him on.

I have stated many times that the Presidential election will come in to play with AMR. It will be about who can save the most job, who can keep someone in the White House or win the White House, or who can fake keeping jobs until after November. Art is dead on with this, and RA is already probing for where he can exert pressure. Anyone who thinks otherwise has not been paying attention.

acl65pilot

Heard March is the current target, and minimal, if any reinstatement was echoed when asked about the 73N.

I am sure there will be some moving of a few seats, but they will try to keep training to a min for the summer months.

More Bacon

Let's find him a DPA lanyard! He's got my post-ALPA vote!

More Bacon

Thank goodness. That's where we make our "bacon." Sucks sitting in the schoolhouse in the summer, collecting miserable training pay, instead of making rain on green slips.

acl65pilot

See we can agree on some things!

In reality Art is a smart guy and many are starting to realize that. When I get the chance I really enjoy talking to him about these sorts of things. What is great is how is writes. He makes his points but wants the conclusion to come from his pilots.

acl65pilot

On that subject., give him a call or write him and ask him why his is still staunchly in the Pro-ALPA camp.

iceman49

Agreed, I know Art and its all about being prepared, he is not wishing ill on any one. Eagle, if you want to expend your efforts on this...go for it, but right now you can only control what you can, and this is not one of those items. (6 airlines later)