Delta Pilots Have a Deal, Unlike Pilots Elsewhere

ATLANTA (TheStreet) -- Pilots at Delta (DAL) have approved a new contract.

Turnout was heavy and about 62% of the pilots voted in favor of the contract, the Delta chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association said Friday. Among the 10,170 eligible voters, votes were cast by 94%, the union said. The deal was reached seven months ahead of the Dec. 31, 2012, amendable date for the contract.

A positive relationship with pilots appears to represent a competitive advantage for Delta.

At United (DAL) , ALPA has requested that the national mediation board either provide arbitration or release the parties from mediation, which could potentially enable a strike following a 30-day cooling off period. Pilots, involved in negotiations for a joint contract following the 2010 merger with Contiental, are wholly dissatisfied with the pace of the talks, said ALPA President Lee Moak, in a prepared statement.

At bankrupt American (AAMRQ.PK) , pilots are voting on a new contract, but the Allied Pilots Association views the deal as a backup plan if a merger with US Airways (LCC) fails to materialize.

"To be clear, the APA leadership remains convinced that a merger of the two carriers would create a stronger, more competitive American Airlines, and that our future career prospects will be brighter than they would otherwise be under AMR management's stand-alone plan," APA said Thursday, in a prepared statement. "Our support for proceeding with the merger is undiminished."

In a prepared statement on Friday, Delta complimented its pilot leadership, saying "ALPA's leadership and diligent efforts put forth by the negotiating committees resulted in an agreement that provides career growth opportunities and pay, scheduling and benefits improvements to pilots, while providing Delta with the ability to accelerate fleet enhancements which will be better for Delta customers and Delta people."

-- Written by Ted Reed in Charlotte, N.C.

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