Originally Posted by
forgot to bid
I have a question concerning DCI. The 2011 10-k shows that we have contracts with the multitude of dci carriers ending between 2016-2022. How long are these contracts and when were they signed?
Because IF we're being asked to provide relief on 50 seaters via an exchange program with Bombardier, are we being had?
Were these contracts, and I honestly am askin because I don't know, recently extended for the purpose of boxing the airline into a corner so as to come to us in c2012 for relief? Acting as if these contracts extensions came before their time or are as old as the jets flying them?
FTB,
Yours is an incredibly complex question that involves such confidential information that I doubt a dozen people know the answer. Back in 2009 a group had compiled what they thought was an accurate list with outstanding obligations of 25 Billion dollars through 2018.* We ran this by ALPA who initially responded "no way in hell." Two weeks later they were curious ran the numbers and said, "we think that's about right." (Gross payable under current agreements) The gross amount has grown considerably since then with the sale of Compass and Mesaba.
In many cases Delta retained status as the lessee, and / or owner, of the aircraft and in some cases Delta transferred that obligation. However, in nearly every case Delta was compelled to remain guarantor to meet the guarantee requirements of the financing covenants.
To sum up, Delta
owes for the airplanes even in cases where it does not own or lease them.
I don't think any of these contracts were executed with the intent of "boxing the pilots in a corner." Rather, pilots were not a consideration since we have a;ways "played ball." Management believes they can renegotiate scope at their will and past practice indicates ALPA renegotiates scope rather than enforcing it.
Just track back to Contract 2000 which was ratified AFTER Delta had placed an order for about 550 RJ's. Contract 2000 was modified in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006 just in time to allow airplanes ordered in 1999 to arrive without delay, including options!
If Contract 2000 ratios had been maintained the mainline fleet would have had to grow to nearly 1,400 airplanes to accommodate all the RJ's. That was impossible ... Contract 2000 scope language was doomed to failure from its very inception! That is why I've argued for an extensive re-write of scope language with the goal of making the language more inclusive.
If all Delta flying was done by Delta pilots, the NEW things that management has not even thought of yet (Delta private jets, more RJ's, codeshare, etc would be automatically owned by us by default). That is the power of unity.