The Sky Team Pilots Association representing the pilots for all of the Sky Team airlines worldwide have signed a support agreement to support the Delta and Northwest pilots in their contract negotiations with their respective airlines. They are saying that they support the efforts of the pilots in their contract negotiations.

However, will these pilots also support the pilots and their families if the airlines shut down because of hard ball tactics? It is very easy to use words and concepts when the airlines are fighting for survival.

Today’s Mutual Assistance Agreement calls upon member pilots to “pledge [their] wholehearted and unwavering support to the pilots of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines in their effort to achieve a comprehensive agreement with the airline and avoid a rejection of their contract by management.” The Agreement also provides for specific and extensive measures of mutual support should the Delta or Northwest pilots exercise a legal strike in response to Delta and Northwest management’s actions. via ALPA News Release.

And even though I probably do not agree with this myself, it does make you wonder. All of these airlines are not doing well. With Delta’s and Northwest’s focus on international flying, would the demise of either Delta or Northwest help or hurt these other pilots and their own job security? My bet is it would help them.

My hopes and prayers are that the pilots for Delta and Northwest do not take this as a sign of solidarity and create a resolve based upon quicksand.

The Sky Team Pilots Association membership consists of pilots from AeroMexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Continental, Northwest and Delta.