Originally Posted by
nibake
1) There is talk of sending the maxes to MSP after the purchase is finalized but before the SOC because MSP is such a hot opportunity. (Set aside the fact that for years we've been hearing that it's not worth it bc the maxes are too expensive, somehow it's suddenly a good deal.) Before this was announced, what was the game plan for the max? I have zero context on the strategy behind those orders.
2) With the ongoing struggle for a modern CBA, are you guys not having bad attrition? How are you making it with so little hiring?
3) Is there limited leverage for negotiations? Our leverage has been largely in CA upgrades. The mix of flying, especially cargo redeyes, has made for some horrendous quality pairings, and our reserve is spectacularly bad, especially when understaffed, so most FOs are just not willing to become a jr captain. The more senior FOs get accustomed to a very cush QOL and are also slow to upgrade. We don't have a serious problem with attrition, just yet. We also have plenty of new hire classes lined up.
1) CVG will be the next announced Max base (rumor). It will operate as a midcontinent base to spread out flying and have crews in place for Amazon. MSP WILL SHRINK!!! But I wouldn't think displacements, more like no backfilling and those who already commute will more than likely end up in CVG (perhaps IND) The Max was MEANT to fill out an order because the NEOs were too expensive and far out. That has changed since the company can't grow a single route organically, in fact overall load factors have shrunk. So eventually all Airbus will be retried.
2) No attrition whatsoever. Like none. Not sure if I'm allowed to post links or direct people to outside websites, but there is a G4 pilot that runs a seniority tool you can access, this information can be gotten on the social media pages both pilot groups have access to. Last month only 4 G4 pilots left property despite the few on here and on FB claiming 50% of all pilots are trying to leave.......so just goes to show you how most people are just talking out their @@@. In fact, according to the company (take with giant stack of salt) they are overstaffed. This is true....sorta.
It's the mini base structure that is hurting the company; it is both the reason people aren't leaving and the reason a contract can't get done. For example, a base like VPS (one of many mini bases) only has 3-4 months of flying a year, in that span they fly 95 hours monthly and makes the company lots of money, the rest of the year it's minimum guarantee for pilots and like 50-60 hours of flying. This means they (the company) are paying pilots NOT to fly. Hence the current impasse with contract, the company it trying to eliminate this waste and the small base pilots want Delta Pay +10 and not work 9 months of the year. So no contract.
3) I think my explanation in section 2 answers 3 as well. Tho I will take a moment to point out that the Toonsters did hire an outside negotiator that agreed with the company to allow for Forced Upgrades and tracking software on personal devices. Not sure if that got fixed or not. Haven't gotten a single new hire in over a year.