Originally Posted by
iaflyer
As much as I'd like to have DCI airplanes at mainline Delta, I can't see it happening - here's why:
Cost....The DCI airplanes right now are maintained by mechanics being are probably paid less than they are at Delta. The planes are dispatched using dispatchers who are paid less than Delta dispatchers. Cleaned by people making less than Delta cleaners (maybe, they might use the same people). The Flight attendants make less than Delta flight attendants. The gate agents are paid less than Delta gate agents.
The cost of repairing the CRJ-900 would be at mainline Delta costs - not DCI costs. Same for dispatchers, cleaners, and flight attendants.
So - the cost of dispatching, maintaining, serving drinks, etc on the former DCI plane go up, but the pilot cost would be the same.
OK. then lets consider our flow down agreements. Delta pilots currently have rights to fly Compass airplanes, using CPZ mechanics, Flight Attendants and dispatchers. What is the cost of that? We already have the right to hold concurrent seniority. It would be a status quo change to allow cross bidding if anyone wanted to do that (probably not very popular, but just pointing out what is already agreed to).
Republic has the same list flying Chautauqua, Shuttle America, MidWest, Republic across Certificates. We need to at least get a good handle on how that works. It seems to work well for them:
Originally Posted by Press Release Source: Republic Airways Holdings Inc.
Wednesday February 24, 2010, 6:54 pm EST
INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Republic Airways Holdings Inc. today reported operating revenues of $637.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, an 87.9% increase, compared to $339.3 million for the same period last year.
My point is that NWA pilots did not all walk out with their mechanics. Pilots flew the airplanes. How they staff the rest of the operation really isn't part of our negotiations.
Oh and Republic ordered 80 new narrow body "mainline" jets today. We wet ourselves over 2 777's and MD90's the Chinese don't want anymore.