Originally Posted by
Tink
We suggested three alternative concepts, any one or all of which might lead to a mutually beneficial solution:
Relax the Delta PWA, Section 1, seat restrictions imposed upon Comair and ASA that limit our growth in 70-seat and larger airframes.
Negotiate Delta Brand Scope language with Delta management that defines all Delta flying within the Delta revenue stream to be performed solely by Delta, Comair, and ASA pilots.
Negotiate a plan for future integration of our Delta, Comair, and ASA pilots seniority lists that fairly recognizes the efforts and contributions of all.
Why would DAL give any of these things?
If you want bigger planes, the limitation should never have been agreed to in the first place. (And Comair should have never been sold to an airline)
Why would DAL agree to only use Delta, ASA, and Comair pilots, just to allow a flow back? As we see today, they contract the cheapest regional, no matter who it is.
Why would ASA and Comair pilots be integrated into the DAL pilot seniority list (again, just to have a flow back)? If you want to fly for DAL, go interview at Delta and work there. If you want to work at ASA or Comair, then work there. How would selling ASA or Comair work if the pilots were considered DAL pilots? You would not be able to sell either, and thus be stuck with a useless turd.
I can't really understand the airline business philosophy. I have always looked at going to a company to work as benefiting the company. I am bringing my skills and helping them fill a position (which must be available, since they are hiring). Seems if you need an employee, you hire someone and train them in your companies procedures. They then work for you, filling that position. If they get their job back (at the airline that furloughed them), they give you notice that they are leaving, and you hire a person to fill that empty position again. By hiring them in the first place, you were able to fill an empty position, thus helping your company at that time of need. It's not like they are paying your old salary either. The airlines just pay you that awful first year pay, no matter how much experience you had when you came (name another industry that does that).
Oh well, none of it matters now. ASA is a Skywest airline and Comair is driving 17 year old planes around, with no new airframes in sight. The maintenance hangar area looks like a glider port (all the no-engine CRJs heading back to the banks), and CVG has less flights than your local general aviation airport. Trying to non-rev is like trying to pick up Paris Hilton in a bar (what chance do you have) and pilot pay still sucks. But hey, contract negotiations will start soon...and we can argue the sure to come "We need you pilots to take a pay cut and pay for your own benefits. It will help our company survive."
OK, now I'm in a bad mood...see what you've done
