Originally Posted by
Scoop
CAAC,
Sailing said that he heard from a scheduler that Pilots called in sick after an assignment. I say big deal - If you are sick you are sick. I did not see Sailing place any blame.
Pilots call in sick when they are sick. The company cancels flights when they are short Pilots. Unless this was some sort of concerted activity (which I don't believe that it was) too bad for the company for poor planning.
I can think of numerous ways for the company to pro-actively mitigate the usual shortage of crews over holidays, but they apparently think the G/S and IA policies are sufficient. Granted there would be a cost associated with these policies, but then again there is definitely a cost in canceled flights over the Holidays.
Its very unfortunate for our passengers, but I certainly didn't see any intended blame or malice in his statement.
Scoop
There was none. Some see black helicopters everywhere. One of the interesting things I have observed over the years is that the biggest blowhards are usually the first to violate the contract or screw over a fellow pilot as long as it benefits them.
I will also point out that I posted more then once on here that the company should have hired last winter as they announced they would when the contract was signed. They never planned more then 150 pilots however those bodies would have smoothed out the 717 training flow and perhaps saved money overall. The powers to be however felt a first quarter profit was more important for Delta's finances. They may be right based on improving ratings and interest rates. I have no real idea. Regardless they are running the best airline I have seen at Delta in 25 years so all is not lost.