I just got this from my C1 Reps - outstanding update These guys get what a union is about. They are still learning to spell it in ATL.

I am furious about the JS change, and called my Reps and apparently there are unanswered questions and contractual implications with this. Every commuter should contact their Reps and voice their concerns. This is a BIG deal if you commute

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Council 1 Update April 3, 2012

MEC Touch and GOs 12-03

A Touch and Gos communication entitled “Strategic Update, Contract 2012, Taking Advantage of an Opportunity” from the MEC Communications Committee was published this week. We have received more than our share of calls and e-mails from you asking some very good questions and voicing your concerns with the current process.

As your reps we agree with many of your comments when it comes to the statements on the NMB. The MEC has taken the NMB and its role in our contract into consideration. Your Council 1 reps feel that even though the NMB must be considered, it is currently premature to discuss its role in the depth it has been at this point in the process. Yes, other carriers are having their issues, and American is a good example of how not to do it. Exploiting that fact at our current position in the negotiating time line is more in line with fear-mongering, in our opinion.

Your reps, along with those from other bases, voiced concerns over this and other issues in the original draft of the Touch and Gos. The majority of the MEC apparently approved of the original draft, as the Touch and Gos went out with some of our concerns addressed, while others remained basically unchanged. Your Council 1 reps feel it is more important to convey the issue at hand, and that was simply stated in the title of the Touch and Gos: “Taking Advantage of an Opportunity.” As we live under the same contract, your reps desire the same things that you do: to increase our wages, achieve better work rules, create jobs at the mainline, and do so in a timely manner.

Many of you have asked why now, why the expedited process? The answer is Delta Air Lines wants to continue its position as the leader in the industry, and with this goal Delta is willing to open the contract and negotiate in an expedited manner. The value that Delta will gain in maintaining its continued position in the industry is the value we as pilots must share in with contractual improvements. Your MEC collectively has tasked the Negotiating Committee with achieving contractual improvements that lead the industry in the same manner as our employer, Delta Air Lines, leads the industry. Your reps wholeheartedly endorse this expedited route, as it most likely will lead to contractual improvements sooner rather than later. The best part of this approach is that if these improvements are not achieved, or either the MEC or the majority of the line pilots do not endorse those placed before us, the process does not end. Certainly another attempt with an alternate approach would be in order; at the very least our Section 6 is now open. The only way we will close our Section 6 negotiations is after we have improvements to our pay and working conditions that lead the industry.

Pilot Survey on Delta Net

Many of you have asked us about the current survey from the company that can be found on Delta Net. You have asked about the security of your responses, as the survey is conducted by Survey Monkey. If you have read the privacy policy on the Survey Monkey website, it does in fact state that it is the client who owns and manages the survey responses. It also states that Survey Monkey does collect the IP address and browser type of each responder. It further states that the IP address will be linked with your response unless the survey creator has disabled IP address collection data.

Your reps asked our MEC administration if they could confirm that the company would not use the IP address to determine who was replying to the survey. We were pointed in the direction of the Weekly Update on Friday, March 30, from Flight Operations. In the update it states, “The survey is completely anonymous.” As of this writing, that is the best we can offer. We continue to ask for a more definitive statement.

Jumpseat Issues

Recent changes to the Jumpseat policy in the FOM section 4.3 states: A jumpseat rider who is issued a boarding pass for a cabin seat instead of a boarding pass for the jumpseat will be considered to be a non-revenue passenger and non-revenue procedures will apply. There is no need to check-in with the Captain. This new language is not in keeping with current industry standards or FAA/TSA interpretations with regard to accessing any part of the aircraft via the initial intent of occupying the flight deck jumpseat. Your reps have several questions and are working with the MEC administration and Jumpseat Committee on clarification. Our questions are, but not limited to:

If you are now a non-rev, does your company seniority apply for cabin seating as a jumpseater is placed last on the cabin seating list?
The intended purpose of a jumpseater is to increase safety. If a captain doesn’t even know you are in the cabin, how can a jumpseater be utilized in a safety role? The recent JetBlue incident is a prime example on why we think the flight crew should know if there are any able crewmembers on board the aircraft and where they are seated.
If a jumpseater becomes classified as a non-rev, are they still vetted via CASS in the event they are required on the flight deck?
What is the overall effect on Captain’s authority on their aircraft?
If a jumpseater is placed on the non-rev status, do they no longer fall under the jumpseat rules?
Why is an FFDO required to check in with the captain and not all jumpseaters?

As the answers to these questions are still a work in progress with the Company, we will keep you updated on the outcome. In the meantime, if you are a jumpseater, please abide by all the rules we are accustomed to, including introducing yourself to the captain and asking for a ride. Also, we know not all jumpseaters are Delta mainline, so please keep an eye out for possible jumpseaters and, if boarded, make an attempt to determine their cabin location.

Council 1 Rep Schedules

In an attempt to offer more transparency, we are placing our schedules in the proximity of the updates and ALPA communications. All of these items are found on the bulletin boards in international flight planning near the CPO, and in the pilot lounge below the “F” gates. You can always look at our schedules in I/E crew in the comfort of your layover hotel if you prefer. You will also note that the MEC is publishing our “total” pay hours on the MEC web page. The “total” hour report does not break out FPL that is either pilot-supported through your dues or “24.J” that is contractually paid by the company.

Guam and your ID

Flying to Guam (GUM)? ALPA has received reports that Delta crewmembers have been temporarily detained by Guam (GUM) International Airport security authorities for not properly displaying company IDs. As per Delta Flight Operations Crew Layover Information, available via iCrew, crews must display the Crew ID on the outermost garment at all times in order to comply with Guam Airport security procedures. This applies to even the nonsecure areas of the airport. Simply stated: in GUM and in uniform, display your ID no matter what your location in the airport.

Fraternally,