I’m retired now. Worked over 38 years with Western and Delta. Lots of experiences, and lots of inside details of workers and company squabbles and labor union strife.

My familiarity with grievances by pilots, maintenance, flight attendants, and ground personnel are nothing new. My retirement, medical, and flight benefits are all tied into this thing called Delta. Kind of gives a hollow feeling that one work group can trash everything I have worked for.

About the only thing I have to add to the abundance of talking point arguments is that I have never heard any pilot complain that maybe airline management (at any company) may have been irresponsible or derelict for allowing any pilot negotiations to grant such huge and cushy pay and work rules to get so out of hand over the years.

Something to think about when one benchmarks what sacrifice and givebacks are necessary to keep the company afloat.

With oil creeping up to $70 a barrel, it kind of makes the business plan based on $60 look sick.

I just ask all pilots to think deeper than what they outwardly avow. You do what you need to do, but all of those greedy managers that you are railing against are all gone now, and good people are bailing out because of uncertainty.

Okay, you have everyone’s attention. Be kind and humane in your outlook. If this puppy dies, the gold braid and stripes that you once wore will offer no salvation of respect that you once had.

Juan Matute
Peachtree City, Ga.

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