Originally Posted by
buzzpat
As one who has spent about half of my time at DAL on reserve, and the other half with a line, our reserve system blows. Its a huge pay cut, little to no control to alleviate that dramatic loss in pay, and constant uncertainty. If a trip is in open time, let the reserve guys pick it up. Its open for a reason. And short call, don't get me started. I don't mind sitting it, because I live in base (or a semblance thereof), but I can imagine what a pain it must be for guys that commute. Finally, if a regular guy and a reserve guy fly the same trip, pay them the same. Its ludicrous that one makes more credit than the other for precisely the same duty. Where did that policy come from?
My next contract priorities: 1) scope, 2) pay, and 3) revamp the reserve system. ASAP.
I'm out....and Bin Laden is still dead!
Buzz, this is real estate that was given up by our illustrious ATL MEC/pro-management team. In the world of land warfare it is exponentially harder to retake turf than to defend it; same principles apply here. While I would like to believe that DAL ALPA may finally get a case of nasty in their soul, management has been awarding long term 70 and 76 seat contracts as fast as they can and right up to the limit. Of course a VP will will make a base tour and tell some sheep that he "hates RJ's," the reality is that a EMB 170-195 nor a CRJ-900 is a RJ. The 737's flown by Alaska aren't RJ's either but the damage is actually much worse. Realistically, it doesn't matter what some VP in a crew lounge states, it's not an official declaration and for all practical purposes he's lying. He probably flies back to ATL and high-fives his buddies," Yeah, I told them I hate RJ's.".
Even if management were to agree on restoring scope, they would caveat it with, "Well we've negotiated ten-year contracts with these carriers and it's economically impossible to buy our way out of these contracts until then." The reality, half the pilots at this airline will more than likely be retired before we could see that reversal come to fruition; it'd be three contracts down the road.
I've run the logic every which way I can, the only two options are the status quo or mergers. The status quo will only lead to more pain (the train wreck that already began long ago).
The problem that needs to be addressed now is the mentality in ATL. Of all people, a pilot in a management position has chosen to reduce the 320 training program to "video professor-style" training. Ive flown with a multitude of great South pilots who really appreciated the 320 training program, referring to it as the old Delta way of doing busines; no more. Destroyed by one of our own, so he can save money in how we train and add the up front monetary savings to his resume. Hopefully, nothing goes wrong, if it does maybe they can pay for the damages out of his paycheck.
Similar in mentality, but an entirely different topic, scope/code shares. Seems like the crud sandwich always starts away from ATL. Management approaches DAL ALPA, requests more scope relief and code shares, ALPA negotiates a win for ATL in some other area (777 deliveries!), every base west of the Mississippi gets hosed.
Sorry, not optimistic in the least bit.