Originally Posted by
notEnuf
Chase the rabbit that is NAI (or ME3) without added costs. I don't know, but they are creative and bid package flux is to our detriment.
I don't think they know (completely) yet either but give them a few years to stretch the meaning of the PWA. 
This can only help them play whack-a-mole. That isn't great for consistent trips or trip mix in all the bid packets. Remember the time comes out of the bases that bid and are awarded the VBs. If you thought bid packages were becoming less desirable, just wait.
You don't think they know completely?
They play chess, remember?
I think we need to stop assuming that Delta is just doing things off the cuff, just to screw us. They might screw us. But, it's not off the cuff and just like in the Godfather, it's not personal. As in, they aren't doing it just because they can.
Keep in mind that one of the things Delta needs is increased productivity (Ie., they need us to fly more.) That was readily apparent from where I was sitting last summer. If you don't know what I mean, go to JFK/LGA/or ATL in the summer time when thunderstorms are passing through -- which is just about every day.
If I were to guess, to figure out what Delta want's with these VB's, we should look no further than what they do with some of the flight attendants.
As you know, we have FA's bases in MCO, FLL/MIA, SAN, and maybe a few more places (TPA?). If you talk to the FA's that are based there, you will find that they are fairly senior, that they are probably flying a pretty crappy one day/4 leg trip, and that they almost never call in sick -- especially not late notice.
There's probably a few reasons for this: One, who doesn't want to fly from home? Two, who doesn't want to fly one day trips so you can be home every night -- even if it's a crappy 4 leg day? Finally, who calls in sick, when you personally know the reserve they will call out and might see them in the grocery store later that week?
I bet those senior flight attendants in those bases, are some of the most reliable FA's in the system -- at least that's the feeling I get.
If that's true, I bet Delta knows it and would love to set up VB's where we have a lot of pilots who commute to try to set up the same dynamic. Ie., I think it's probably an attempt to set up less sick calls.
I'd look for them to set up VB's in some of the same places they have unusual flight attendant bases. I'd also guess that they would set them up to do the same kind of 2-4 leg day's in and out of ATL/DTW/MSP/JFK's that the flight attendants do.
Like I said, it's just a guess and I like to play chess, too.
