Originally Posted by
slowplay
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Why don't we enter the "no spin zone", Nu?
At the merger there were 768 mainline aircraft. Now there are 726. That reduction happened over the worst airline recession in recent memory. If you look at the last few SEC reports, management has contracted to add 21 more MD-90's, 12 757's, 7 767-300 and 2 767-300 ER's back to the mainline fleet. They're also looking at purchasing a bunch more MD-90's. So they've got 42 + aircraft coming into the fleet over the next year or so. To be fair, we'll also lose 7 DC-9's. Paltry? I guess you've got shiny jet syndrome.
As to the large RJ's owning our narrowbody lift, the 10-Q has a different answer. DCI domestic ASM's decreased from 23.6% of total domestic ASM's in 2009 to 21.6% of total domestic ASM's in the same period of 2010. The number of departures, block hours, and airframes has gone down dramatically too. DCI had 715 aircraft last year. Now they've got 642, and that's before the scheduled reduction of 52 aircraft at CMR and 32 at Mesaba over the next two years.
With the numbers posted above, I'd say your view of "stagnation here to stay" is wrong.
Slow,
Take a look at these numbers which are operated under capacity purchase agreements with regional air carriers:
(in millions, except for number of aircraft operated)
2009 2008 2007 ASMs
20,852 17,425 17,881 RPMs
16,424 13,899 14,005 Number of aircraft operated, end of period
450 443 349
You can call me stupid, or whatever, but the way I see it mainline was contracting significantly while DCI was growing. I've been at DAL for over 20 years and I can't recall us (DAL mainline) ever growing 20% in one year. (ASMs from 2008 to 2009 above)
I'm afraid I also don't consider an aircraft returned to flying from storage a "growth" aircraft.
I want a union (or "association") that represents the best interests of the Delta pilots only.
I cant stress "Delta pilots only" strong enough.
As such, I've sent in my card to DPA. They may not be the best option, but I think they're the first step in eliminating the ties to ALPA national.
Fire away...