Pension plans were not grossly underfunded...but they were underfunded...indeed I would have settled for 75 percent of my promised pension instead of 25 percent as the PBGC will cover.
Slots were done away with in the domestic US market by act of congress around the year 2000...that is why so many airports are overscheduled and have such huge delays...no corresponding increase in infrastructure...GIVE ME THE CAB any day.
Junior man is quite right...Southwest is now the best paying airline in the US...they make a profit due to fuel hedging.
for all those who say pilots have to be realistic about pay...how come airline management pay and perks has gone up while pilot pay has gone down? Doesn't management have to be realistic...its all about negotiations!
1992 pay, compensated for 15 years of buying power would be just fine.