Wednesday, April 18, 2001

Mr. Beverly, I am writing in response to some of the comments you made at the end of your column in regards to pilots and strikes.

It is apparent to me that you and pretty much the rest of the non-pilot world have the same misconceptions of pilots, Delta and the possible strike. It would be impossible to get you or anyone to empathize, much less understand our situation.

To address some of your points you have enumerated in your column, I did not make $150,000 last year with Delta. I did not even make half that, nor did I in the preceding 15 years it took me to get to Delta. I can say as a matter of fact that I have filed the "EZ" form for my federal taxes all but the last two years of my life, owing to salaries that probably averaged in the $25-30 thousand a year (I was even eligible for the earned income credit for two years. This while working as a pilot!).

I also know many individuals who took furloughs with Delta (five years), Pan Am (15 years), USAir (six years), etc., and their incomes from the airline were nil during their time out (nil is significantly below $150,000 a year).

All in all, flying for a major carrier can be a moderately high-paid profession, that is when and if you ever get and keep your job (remember Easter, Braniff, Pan-Am).

In comparison to Harvard lawyers, Hopkins doctors, Wharton MBAs, and a slew of other professionals (who enter their careers at ages as low as 25 versus the average DAL new-hire pilot who is 35) we make pocket change. A Delta captain cannot even compare to the salary of a Mississippi riverboat captain. Hopefully, you get hired early by a good airline, they stay in business and you may earn as much as a pro bass fisherman (not the top guys of course!).

On your second point, your kids are able to fly anywhere they wish. If Delta pilots strike, they may choose another airline. I don't think anybody is acting like a child. You would be forced to choose Fedex if UPS were not operating. Delta has no monopoly.

As to your opinion, I applaud you in supporting our right to strike. I also think, as does the law, that Delta has the right to replace every single one of us should we strike. They can "close out" the strikers.

That is the point. Fortunately, Delta recognizes the value of their pilot force. That is why they have paid us well and, I assume, will continue doing so. It is essentially the same principle behind a good heart surgeon commanding very high pay.

Neither I, nor many pilots, expect sympathy from the public. They do not understand the profession, the union, nor the negotiations and will likely never do so. It does annoy me somewhat that I constantly read about how I'm being overpaid by people who know nothing of what I do. I don't presume to have an educated opinion if a public relations manager or a tree surgeon in Peachtree City is worth their salary. Maybe your all-knowing readers can tell me if these professions are compensated adequately.

People should spend more worrying and therefore writing you about things they know. I read your paper all the time and I still have not found somebody who has the secret to growing a good lawn in this Georgia clay.

Mark Deaton

Peachtree City

First officer

Delta Airlines

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