Deal Or No Deal?America loves winners------ and losers. How else could you explain the obsession with T.V. game shows like Deal or No Deal? Now, nothing is as it seems in 5 or 10 minutes of television coverage but imagine: It is the spring of 2005 the contestants take the stage to thunderous applause. Young, eager, junior United pilots, looking fresh and excited by the challenge, stand with Howie Mandel and make the obligatory small talk. The pilots have chosen their case, in it rests pride, promise and expectations. The phone rings and the "banker" has made his offer. Okay, the banker says, times are bad, this bankruptcy is the time to shed debt, re-organize, come out ready to seriously compete. So here is my best offer: Reduced pay rates, you pay for your medical coverage and in order for us to be truly competitive, we are going to dump your defined benefit pension. We will give you a lump sum to start a new defined contribution program and with the current retirees out of the new plan the money will go further. Deal or No Deal?
A slight hesitation, a moment of angst----loss to those already retired against the possible loss of my job? There are families to consider, there is my family. Howie, tell Glen, excuse me the banker it is a deal. New season, new group of contestants. The pilots take the stage, these guys are a little older, they have been around a little longer, the cuts have taken a toll on them. They choose their case and in it sits broken promises and frustration. The phone call comes and Howie begins to explain the offer: Okay, he is pretty sure he can save your job, he is going to try not to cut your salary anymore but there will be some airplanes parked and most of those guys from last season's show will be furloughed. However, the age 65 thing is looking good, you should be able to mitigate a lot of the loss. Deal or No Deal? There is some grumbling but a case of broken promises won't pay the mortgage, OK......DEAL. Looking ahead to next season, we see the last group of United pilots standing on the stage, there is no applause, there are no high fives. These pilots are the senior guys, they have spent their life at United. They have a job but not the career they dreamed of, they have some retirement but not enough to live on, they have some friends but it isn't like it used to be. The phone rings and they watch Howie listen to the offer. The pilot's case holds only trepidation today. What will the banker offer? Well, Howie says, unable to look them in the eye,your salary has been significantly reduced, your conditions are the worst they have ever been, your retirement is minimal and yet, the airline is losing money. Okay, here is the deal....... he says he found a willing merger partner. He feels like most of you will be able to keep your jobs though any upward mobility has been stifled. Your seniority list will simply be stapled to the bottom of the partner's list. Deal or No Deal? The pilots look across the stage to the "friends and family area" standing there is the union shouting DEAL, TAKE THE DEAL! With no choice left the last of the United pilots acquiesce DEAL! America loves winners or losers, they don't really care as long as they are entertained, transported from A to B, as long as they can watch and not be involved. BigJetCity.com |
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