Originally Posted by
reddog25
Spot on. This is how the RJ code sharing started. One thing many forget is that we already have a base in NRT (You are effectivly on reserve as you pass thru NRT, reassigned trips as necessary)
The jewell of the DAL/NWA merger was the NRT hub. Don't forget NWA has 5th freedom rights. This means you can pick up originating Japanese pax /cargo and fly them anywhere. Only UAL (thru PAA rights) and FEDEX (thru Tigers rights) has the ability to do that. This is not about increasing revenue stream and if it is, then kiss DAL pilot jobs away!
I'll need to see if any intl code -sharing language survived the merged CBA. Our previous NWA CBA was very restrictive in scope. If intl scope survived, then we as pilots are in the drivers seat.
Dog, our government is ensuring that changes are coming to NRT.
Delta once had a FRA hub every bit as big as NRT, fed by 9 US Domestic market cities with 13-17 beyond cities. We had 727's and 767-200's for the "interport" flying. It's gone, due to changes in the bilateral and open skies. Guess what's going on in Japan right now?
As far as international scope, NWA's wasn't as tight as you make it out to be. They led the way in JV language, which was improved upon in the JCBA and subsequent LOA. The JCBA also set a floor on NRT operations, which gives us some negotiating leverage should Byerly's State Department give away our airline agreements to maintain military bases in Japan.
The quickest way to kiss Delta pilot jobs away is to ignore this threat and not respond proactively to it. I've seen that movie in FRA. It ended with a substantial number of furloughs. Unprotected crown jewels can be stolen. Oh, guess which airport Air Force One landed at in Tokyo on Obama's Asia trip...it wasn't Narita. Guess how many frequencies JAL owns at that airport versus how many Delta has...