Originally Posted by Scoop

Smittey,

It depends how you look at it. I would prefer a Scope clause of 1 line: Delta passengers are to be flown exclusively by Delta Pilots. But the fact is that Scope was screwed up over 2 decades ago and has fluctuated from bad to worse to much worse to getting better.

There is no way to turn back the clock and undo past mistakes. We are trying to fix scope but I doubt we can fix it all at once.

Look at C-2012 Scope. Many said it was a Scope failure. I thought it was an improvement, not great, but a step in the right direction - reducing the DCI footprint and increasing Delta mainline.

But it does not matter what anyone thinks - what matters is what happened.

Hiring has increased at mainline - this is why we have Scope, to protect jobs, It is now working, for over a decade it didn't work.
DCI is gradually being reduced - hopefully it will eventually all be absorbed into mainline but this will be a gradual and drawn out process.

We do not have to speculate - we have results. I have not seen the Scope AIP but I hear more 76 seaters are probably coming. To me this is not good but not an automatic No vote. If we get the right deal I can hold my nose and tolerate some more 76 seaters.

One of the past mistakes that we did repeat was a moving line from 50 to 70 to 76 seats allowed. All while over a thousand DAL Pilots were furloughed. Now we have the C series and the scope is hopefully going to be held at 76 seats forever. To me this is good news. I don't remember exactly when we caved at 76 seats maybe in 2004 or 2005? So that would be over 10 years and three contracts that we held the line at 76 seats.

Yes it sucks to have more 76 seaters but we will have less overall RJs, a higher percentage of our passengers flying mainline vs DCI, and more and more DCI Pilots moving rapidly to Delta - If the deal is right I can live with it.

Finally, most of us, me included, will have to see the deal in its entirety before passing judgement. I am simply not willing to say that more 76 seaters is an automatic no vote. I respect those of you that feel that way but realize that with 13,000+ Pilot there are probably 13,000+ opinions.