Originally Posted by
PinnacleFO
Pinnacles crj 200 contract with Delta includes 141 200's that expire in 2017. The 900 contract is for 57 900's that go to 2023. 16 of those airplanes are owned by pinnacle and we expect them to be sold back to delta soon so that they can 2 for 1 them with "another DCI carrier" to park 32 more 200's. Our q400's are not making money for continental nor are our saabs so if those rates are not changed those planes are gone too.
Leads me to the following question, if those things happen we are left with 141 200s and 41 900s all flying for delta, could that be a good opportunity at that point for Delta to repurchase a bankrupt regional carrier and basically absorb them over time through a flow type situation as they park 200's in an attempt to eliminate a regional carrier and bring more flying back into mainline? Its not me saying hey just buy us so that i get a mainline job, its more saying, if delta wants to park 200's, here is 141 of them right here and with the upcoming retirements as pilots retire, you retire 200's as well and bring those pilots onto a bigger plane (on probation for a year since they didnt have to interview) It would also make sense if they wanted to bring on the c series because that plane will pay less anyways.
Ok i just woke up, but what if.........
Absorbing PCL would trigger a couple of things. First of all they would have to pay DAL rates for those A/C to the current PCL pilots (who would become DAL pilots) which they won't want to do. DAL rates for 10yr CRJ-900 CA - $114/hr 10yr FO - $78/hr. Your current CRJ-900 10yr rates (according to this site) are $88/$45 respectively.
Secondly, I realize they have done flow through in the past with Compass but that was a remnant from Northwest. With a flow through DAL loses control over who they interview/hire. I'm not saying anything negative about either pilot group I just think the DAL hiring folks like to have that control. I wish we could fold in all the RJ flying to mainline, it would be better in the long run for all of us but you have to follow the money since that's what this business is all about. It's cheaper to operate the aircraft at a separate carrier at lower wage rates.
What will be key in the coming years is where the next order of 100 seat jets is placed. JetBlue and USAir have set a nice precedent having that size aircraft operated at a mainline carrier and I know most guys I fly with and talk to agree we have to protect/tighen scope first and foremost. Without an aircraft to fly there is no job and all the other aspects of our contract are irrelevant. Best of luck to you.
