Quick retort - Our contract says all flying must be done by Delta pilots with some exceptions (1.C) and one exception is Delta Connection (1.D).
Republic Airways Holdings entered into a capacity purchase agreement (PWA calls it a Category A operation 1.B.6) and therefore can fly as Delta Connection.
As far as our contract is concerned RAH must do both of the following:
1. Fly aircraft (1.D.1) that we permit for Delta Connection flying (1.B.40).
- Their 50 seat E145s are permitted with no restrictions. (1.B.40.b)
- Their 70 seat E170s are permitted but only 255 70+ seat jets are allowed throughout the DCI fleet (1.B.40.c)
- Their 76 seat E175s are permitted but only 120 of those are allowed through out the DCI fleet and we know that number can flex for mainline growth, furloughs or if the CPZ flow is canceled (1.B.40.d-e)
2. Fly aircraft for UsAir, American, United, Continental and
Frontier and even fly aircraft larger than we permit for Delta Connection (1.D.2) as long as that aircraft and the use of it meet the following requirements:
- If it's larger than what is permitted for Delta Connection then it cannot be operated for Delta Connection. (1.D.2.a), and
- The use of that aircraft does not cause Delta to downsize block hours (1.D.2.b), and
- If the aircraft seats 71-97 passengers it cannot be flown on a city pair currently flown by Delta (1.D.2.c)
- The aircraft is not allowed to be certified to seat more than 106 passengers and configured for use with more than 97 seats (1.D.2.c). And if such an aircraft is acquired then Delta shall terminate the DCI contract either once that airplane goes into service or 9 months after Delta became aware they were required. (1.D.2.c)
Now, we've been told that Republic Airways Holdings just owns multiple airlines and all are completely separate entities. The NMB just ruled in favor of the IBT's application that RAH is in essence one big airline... when it comes to representation. Therefore, status quo continues.
However, as ALPA said, the ruling provided a lot of ammo to potentially find RAH is a single transportation (airline) system. If that is the case then RAH's fleet consists of E135s, E140s, E145s, E170s, E175s, E190s, A318s, A319s and A320s. That is a violation of Section 1, Scope, D.2.c.
That's how I see it. If ALPA returns to the NMB and gets them to call RAH what it is, STS, or as ALPA (gulp) might be doing and ensures the definition of air carrier per Federal code now says holding companies are automatically STS, then that means RAH is STS and American Eagle/American Airlines are all one in the same.
And we can then return and file a grievance and terminate those contracts.
Sadly it just shuffles the flying to another DCI. But pursuing RAH as an STS is about ensuring WE AS DELTA PILOTS are not giving a green light that would permit UsAir, American, UCAL or any other to create an in-house E175 operation using pilots from their mainline seniority list and management, ownership and labor relations fully integrated, to fly for Delta as long as you technically have another certificate.
And that's what happens when a quick retort goes long winded.
Я только выполнять сумасшедшие Иванов справа в нижней части часов, слева в верхней части часов.