Career Protection & Progression
- All pilots at DAL-NWA are provided with two seniority numbers.
- The first number is their current seniority number used for bidding purposes within their current airline fleet.
- The second number is an ALPA-issued “system” number used to bid vacancies at the combined carrier. Method for assigning the system number T.B.D. (“W2”, D.O.H., etc.)
- Future new-hires would have two identical numbers.
Methodology
- The current DAL and NWA fleets are identified by ship number and/or distinct aircraft types (the only aircraft common to both companies is the 757.)
- When bidding vacancies within their original fleet , a pilot’s original airline seniority number would take precedence.
- “New” aircraft, in terms of either quantity or type, would be open to bids based upon the pilot’s system number.
- In the event of furloughs, a pilot to have the option of exercising cross-bid rights, using their system number, or accepting furlough pursuant to the PWA.
Examples
- A senior NWA B-747 captain, SN 200, would perhaps receive the numbers 200/325 while a senior DAL 767 captain, SN 200, might have the number 200/400.
- A new-hire, hired after the merger, would have two identical numbers, say 10,000/10,000.
- Future 747/A330 vacancies would be first filed by the current NWA pilots.
- 767 vacancies would be first filled by the current DAL pilots.
- A-320 vacancies would be NWA, B-737 vacancies would be DAL.
Benefits
- Creates the benefits of a merged list without many of the problems associated with outright merger of diverse seniority lists.
- Creates credible career protections and advancement opportunities for all pilots.
- The order of precedence between the two numbers effectively creates seat and base protections.
- Over time, the seniority lists become effectively merged as a greater percentage of pilots, hired after the merger, have identical seniority and system numbers.