Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - I guess we are taking a pay cut?

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations | I guess we are taking a pay cut?

DVA2411
First Officer, B777-200

Joined on June 22 2005
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"Semper Volans"
Clayton, NC

677 legs, 1,841.6 hours
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605 legs, 1,686.9 hours ACARS
6 legs, 22.7 hours event

Posted onPost created on December 28 2005 19:51 ET by John Richardson

Delta, pilots reach interim deal-
Airline would save about $143M from 14 percent cut in pilots' wages; comprehensive deal due March 1.
December 28, 2005: 6:30 PM EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The pilots' union of bankrupt Delta Air Lines Inc. on Wednesday ratified an interim agreement with the carrier, paving the way for negotiations to continue toward a final deal in March, the airline said.
The interim deal, reached earlier this month between the No. 3 U.S. airline and the Air Line Pilots Association, provides for a 14 percent hourly wage reduction as well as cuts in other pay and cost items equivalent to another 1 percent, Delta said in a statement.

DO I GET TO KEEP MY HEADSET?

John Richardson

First Officer, B777-200

DVA2253
Senior Captain, DC-8-61
COMM

Joined on April 01 2005
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"I'd rather be flying!"
Church Hill, TN USA

862 legs, 1,344.5 hours
108 legs, 165.2 hours online
299 legs, 485.1 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on December 28 2005 21:21 ET by George Lewis

Well, without getting into a political ideology battle, I would like to comment (I'm in that kinda mood tonight LOL) - it seems that while unions are great for some things - we have sanitary, safe environments for workers, etc., they seem to get carried away...

I'm not saying that Delta's pilots make a whole lot or not very much, in comparison to other airlines, but there seems to be a tendency by unions to get more and more money for the employees that eventually leads to the company having problems in the long run, because it isn't sustainable.

George Lewis (DVA2253)

DVA2054
Senior Captain, B767-300

Joined on December 15 2004
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Northeastern United States

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Posted onPost created on December 28 2005 21:30 ET by Andrew Dalrymple

Actually I read an artical that an independant aviation auditor did of the top 5 US airlines. Their findings provided great insite into the amounts paid to pilots in the US. Delta was the number one airline on the list. According to the auditors that conducted the studies this additional 14% would put Delta more inline with the current US Airlines wages.

I think this is a positive step in restructuring the operations of Delta Airlines.

And yes I agree with George. I think unions had their place at one time in our history, but they are also a big reason so many high tech jobs are now overseas.

Cheers,

Andrew

Andrew Dalrymple (DVA2054)

DVA2629
First Officer, B767-300

Joined on October 16 2005

Cincinnati, OH USA

36 legs, 105.1 hours
11 legs, 35.2 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on December 30 2005 11:45 ET by Aaron Blinka

Andrew -

You are correct. Living in Houston, I have several friends that work for Continental, and they are all aware that their positions with Continental would pay about 15%-20% with Delta.

Also, I think the pilots realized that without accepting a pay cut, Delta would surely go under, and I'm sure they would much rather take a pay cut than be out of a job and risk losing benefits, etc. Take a lesson from the Northwest mechanics!

Aaron Blinka (DVA2629)

DVA2629
First Officer, B767-300

Joined on October 16 2005

Cincinnati, OH USA

36 legs, 105.1 hours
11 legs, 35.2 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on December 30 2005 11:46 ET by Aaron Blinka

That's 15%-20% more if they worked for Delta...sorry wink

DVA2783
Captain, MD-88

Joined on December 31 2005

Lilburn, GA USA

18 legs, 24.9 hours
18 legs, 24.9 hours online

Posted onPost created on January 05 2006 00:36 ET by Richard Gallaher

I was around when Eastern went down because the pilots refusing to settle.
Most ended up with low paying carriers like Value Jet (Air Tran). Some times you must settle or both will lose.

Then again, I've sat in the jump seat next to senior ATR captains with 20years of turbo prop time getting $35,000 a year for the likes of American Eagle. These people are way under paid. I was shocked to find the flight attendants made around $12,000 per year. Most lived in commune housing (6 girls renting a two bed room apartment) sharing beds. Sad..... These peolpe need unions just to stay alive.

What ever the level of paid employee though everyone wants more money. That is why we work.

Richard Gallaher (DVA2783)

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