Originally Posted by alfaromeo

Nice try at class warfare. If John Wayne were alive he would reach across the console (think High and Mighty) and give you a couple of slaps. Fuel prices have risen dramatically in the last few years. Delta has two options: they can flood the market with seats lose tons of money and then go bankrupt or they can control capacity and make money.

Last year Delta faced a large spike in fuel costs, ice storms, earthquake, volcanoes, slow US economy, recession in Europe, growth slowdown in China, stagnant Japanese economy and I am sure I have left some out.

The result: You got a five percent compensation increase and a healthy profit sharing check coming in four days. Your response: self pity because you aren't moving up. Boo hoo for you. I made MD-88 f/o in year 2 and then was still there 7 years later. Boo hoo for me. My fourth year B-Scale pay rate on the 88 was less than our current probationary pay. Boo hoo for me.

So yes after 20+ years I am stagnated at a much higher level than you but certainly you have been around the industry long enough to understand the seniority system at Delta. When was the last time that Delta hired direct entry Captains? In the 40's maybe during the war, I really have no idea. If someone promised you never ending growth, it wasn't me, I have lived the up and down too much.

Back in 2005 and 2006 when everyone else thought I was crazy, I was clamoring for our MEC to think about merging. We had these wild boom and bust cycles from 85-91 (boom) 91-96 (bust) (96-2001) boom (01-06) the Mother of All Busts. What about that prospect seems enticing to you? I have got the bankruptcy T-Shirt and I don't need another.

In 2007 the MEC, as consolidation seemed inevitable, undertook a strategy to enhance and accelerate the merger and obtain contractual improvements as a result of the merger. Everyone saw the need for consolidation and the hope was that airlines would no longer ride the massive up and down roller coaster but rationally control capacity and pricing to produce significant profits, profits that could be used to fill back up our wallets. As yet, no one has been able to even imitate our success.

Well 2011 pretty much proved that hypothesis. Consolidation has brought solid results in a year when there was excuse after excuse for management to show losses. Along the way, Delta pilots have recaptured $2 billion in value from our JCBA, more if you include profit sharing. How many months had you been a Delta pilot when you got several thousand shares of Delta stock, not options, stock placed in your retirement account? That was a pretty nice welcome to Delta present.

Your situation is that you just got a bigger raise on Jan 1 than US Airways, American, Continental, and United have gotten combined over the last 4 years. Think about that, 16 years of contracts versus 1. The MEC is now running at max velocity aiming to have our second post bankruptcy contract done before all the rest of them get their first.

I would say I am sorry you are stagnated, but I'm not. Growth for growth's sake is moronic and whatever short term sugar high it gives you the downside crash always produces more pain than the growth did. Anyone that thinks they should leave Delta right now for some short term sugar high at another carrier would be making a huge mistake. Delta is now years ahead of their competitors. Look at our revenue momentum. We are now on solid financial footing and have all the pieces in place to act as a buyer and consolidator rather than a target for fragmentation.

So, please, play the class warfare card on me, I am immune to forum attacks now, they are all just a little childish and my kids are all grown now. You should thank your lucky stars that you are where you are right now. This is a long game and your time horizon should be measured in years and not weeks. All the rest of you too, quit feeling sorry for yourselves it is unbecoming.

Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

Glad you got yours and are happy.

Others just aren't content sitting around, moving backwards or stagnating for a decade of their lives. Guy I just did some work for quit Piedmont, recently retired #7 at Southwest. Think we all could agree he did well when he saw what US Air's path was and left.

Delta's outlook needs clarification. The market has rewarded those with the flexibility and willingness to seek opportunity.

At some point Wilbur and Orville must have decided, pedaling big wheel bikes sucks ... lets build an airplane. The first step is always the admission that something could be done better with a little effort.

Originally Posted by More Bacon

So you're not disagreeing that you are getting FPL for this.
Let the obfuscation continue.

Originally Posted by alfaromeo

Then get off your fat *** and go make it better. Nothing would make me happier than watching you flounder around so I could throw tomatoes at you. I know, crying like a little girl on the forum is much easier. Boo hoo for you too.

Originally Posted by alfaromeo

Back in 2005 and 2006 when everyone else thought I was crazy... .

Originally Posted by Ferd149

Anyway, I liked her comment one morning when I was there for training. "I think we can learn alot from each other. North girls can learn some southern charm and south girls can learn some midwest farm girl efficiency." I've heard the comment lots of time in the sports bar in NRT, "that new girl is so nice, but she is so slow".

Ferd

Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

Anything change since then?

A conservative is someone who has something to conserve. You've got what you think is a pretty good deal. Hey, I was sincere when stating "good for you." Hope we all get to enjoy your contentment some day. Heck, it would be nice to have just one job.

The economic reality is that with inflation $50,000 in 1980 is $140,000 today. After five years, I'm making an inflation adjusted $35,000 circa 1980. Next year that will be an inflation adjusted $31,000. Not sure what your B scale was, but my father's B scale was more than that.

How many of your First Officers hold second, or even third, jobs? Delta hires good people who have skills (or can rapidly adapt) to other opportunities. Don't take is personally that some are looking around and saying, "jeesh, why stay here when there is more money to be made elsewhere." If anything, a few pilots departing for Emirates, direct entry Captain positions, other airlines and corporate might help you negotiate a better contract. If a guy makes more income from his outside work, then a Delta displacement threatens that income, what would you expect them to do?

It isn't class war fare. It's more along the lines of your taking personally the fact that with its bad scope, outsourcing and displacements, there might be better jobs out there. If the Company has no need for pilots (no hiring and more PERP's) then isn't a long leave to pursue other opportunities a win / win?

We love home grown tomatoes. Rather than wasting them trying to hit your First Officers, give them to me. ... and you're a better looking man than you give yourself credit for.