Originally Posted by
String682
I recently heard the company is being taken to court over the whole ‘red arrow day’ issue. Apparently it’s in violation of our contract, which states only a certain number (?) of days per month can be restricted (red arrow). Not the entire month, which seems to have been the norm over the last six months. If anybody has confirmation on this, please tell. And where exactly is this written in our contract, I have yet to find it, if anyone knows the reference, please share.
More water cooler talk – I’m told our DCI contract with big-D is up for renewal/negotiation sometime in 2010. The renewal supposedly stipulates that we will be the 2nd lowest cost DCI under big-D. If we should fall short on this, it could possibly jeopardize our 80% of ATL flying. Again, this is all second hand, so if anyone can elaborate, please do.
As for cost, all of our fuel saving efforts (minimizing APU, indexing, single engine taxi, etc…) is a noble effort, but I think it’s only a pinch in the bucket compared to what really eats at our bottom line, which is our high labor cost. Perhaps letting go of all the out station personnel has helped, but when it’s all said and done, apparently we have a high percentage of pilots (compared to other DCI’s) who max out on the high end of the pay scale.
I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, for who can blame them, many have come here and decided life was good, why move on. But unfortunately, the bean counters have based our model on a system where most folks move on in 7 to 10 years, not grow moss. But this is just my speculation, I’d be curious to see some actual numbers on the industries fuel cost vs. labor, perhaps someone out there can provide some perspective on this.
And for the record, I think it’s wrong to make the pax sweat on our idle descents from 10K, or the long taxi inns from the south runway, because were waiting for the hook up on C-concourse. The pax pay for a comfortable ride, lets ensure they get one.
OK, off my soap box, that's my 2c.