C2019 Completed By The Amendable Date
 

Captain Gumm’s May 29th weekly update is definitely worth a read.

A common goal with ALPA of completing C2019 by the amendable date of 12/31/19.

Negotiating 5 of the next 8 weeks.

In my opinion this is a very positive shift in management’s strategy.

The gap between Delta vs American and United in terms of quality transportation companies is widening by the week. Given the current level of profitability at Delta plus the upcoming $7 Billion annually in 36 months from the recent American Express deal, it makes perfect sense to share this success with the Delta pilots.

I admire Captain Gumm’s proactive leadership. We all know negotiations are never a walk in the park. That said, dragging things out for years is bad for business. It harms the culture and crushes morale.

The tireless preparation by our negotiating committee, admin and MEC has us well prepared for success. We couldn’t be in better hands.

There you go with the 7 billion from AMex again. Please explain how much of that is above today’s levels and of that increase in revenue how much the most optimistic forcasts will have it adding to the bottom line as profit.
This is getting to be like your fuel discussions where over and over again you took the wholesale price of jet fuel and compared it to the retail price saying Delta was saving billions.
Besides you already stated you will be happy with only 700 million in contract improvements. That will fund a total of about 16% in raises and zero quality of life improvements. I want a bit more!

When the new AMEX deal was announced, I believe it stated that we currently get around $3.5B from Amex, so $7B would be double.

That’s basically the correct number. Revenue will rise 3.5 to 3.6 billion if Delta meets their projection. Several analysts have called that number into question and asked Delta for specifics on how they will achieve that. Delta declined to provide answers. If the do hit the most optimistic profit margins on 3.6 billion we could see 1.8 billion in increased profit. Keep in mind Delta also predicted we would be above 10 million in profit in 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKKHSAE1gIs

Good boy, good boy. Pat, pat, pat.....How about you roll over and let Uncle Clark scratch your belly.

Not following management as much as you do
But
Is Gumm a captain ?

As a Nov 16 hire I don't think so but management pilots live in a different world when it comes to aircraft for instance Joe K being a 777 Capt.

I mean, we all understand that "captain" is generally a meaningless title, especially considering it requires no real additional skills and only two days of additional training over the course of a 35 year career, right?

Oh boy this should be good!!! 🍿🤣

No, we do not all hold that view.

Being called Captain is one thing.

But having the handle Captain WOW is something else entirely.
:)

You should. Most people at this airline have been an airline captain. There are many FOs that have been a Captain at Delta. There are many FOs that have more experience and skills than Captains they fly with. I know it hurts your fragile egos, but the only thing being a CA gets you is a higher pay rate and the right to be an authority on a particular flight. It is not earned in any way other than breathing long enough until enough people ahead of you retire.

It is merely a symbolic title and the fact that SO many people get their panties in a wad over a manager several steps up the chain having that title proves that most airline pilots are nothing more than sensitive babies.

WHEN I was a captain of the baby jets that say “DELTA” on the side and connection in small faded font, here was one of the things I used to say to first officers, “you see something, say something. If I am doing something and you don’t know what or why I am doing it, speak up or ask. The only difference between you and I is that I have been here longer, we train the same and pass the same checkrides so feel free to speak up if something is off.”

In essence I view myself and my coworkers in the cockpit as “pilots.” Sure, captains have captain duties and first officers have first officer duties. Just about anyone over the two year mark here could be “captain” if they want to give up their QOL and make a few extra bucks.

For some of us it’s a job title and pay raise, for others it’s their way of life. The former tends to be the more enjoyable ones to work with for what it’s worth.

If you work in certain airlines. But at Delta, American and United.... just to name a few, Captain’s authority still means a lot and carries significant weight. Now if you are some snowflake trying to start a wizzing match then go elsewhere. If you are a disgruntled First Officer looking at a loooong upgrade somewhere and think you deserve it now... I can’t help you or your ego. Part of professionalism is knowing your part and the discipline that goes along with it. While you point out that there are some bad Captains, I’d also point out that those bad Captains were most likely bad First Officers.

Tail

But everyone calls me “Captain” when I order food in the airport. And I thought I was special.

All the aircraft cleaners call me captain too!

Boy I'd like to hear some stories! It is quite the accomplishment to be mentioned in the Wall Street Journal (I believe that was the one).

This isn't about my ego. This is about the sensitive sallys who get all bent out of shape when former captains don't get their stripes taken off their coat or when junior management types get rated as Captain.

Newsflash, this isn't 1960. Being a Captain at Delta doesn't make you a God. It doesn't nor should it carry "significant weight" and the illusion of this "great authority" only exists because the anti-CRM culture still exists here.

The amount of times I've had to hear about Captains complaining they don't get the respect from their co-workers that their captains did when they were engineers is staggering. I've had captains make FAs cry during preflight because they were too deaf to hear the poor girl's question. Delta captains aren't special. They are paid more and rightfully so because they do have the responsibility to make some hard decisions. They aren't, however, infallible or supreme beings of aviation.

And I bet there is a subset of Captains who silently swear to themselves when they witness it. Haha

What? It doesnt make you a god??

Well what was all that...oh god! oh god! stuff the old lady used to go on about??

I call myself a 'Starbucks Captain'. . .if they write it on my cup, it must be true.

There is a woman at LAS KCM who calls us three stripers “First Officer” has she is checking out ID’s.

#nocaptainforme
#comebackoneyear

Well this thread has taken a 90 degree turn......

Denny

Aaawww...poor Checklist Donkey can’t be a Captain yet. Can I help you find a Safe Place?

Actually, I could be a captain. Easily. And I've been one before. I'm not sorry your sensitive ego is bruised

To try to get the thread back on topic....

It makes sense to me for someone in management to say they want a contact before amendable date.

I’m sure they are cognizant of Ed saying “no contract this year” + the anti-union/ buy an Xbox situation going on right now = bad optics for the company...especially if we don’t get a contact and the NMB gets involved.

Old joke;

Q: How are FO’s and Jesus alike?

A: They are both seated at the right hand of God.

Back off topic.

Captains get paid more to 1) taxi and 2) deal with the BS. The extra pay does not grant one super powers—not even to “mentor” first officers on every aspect of life. (Shout out to my homeboy, if you’re reading).

I do appreciate the retired Navy folks who, sitting in the right seat, not-so-subtly mention that they retired after 20-something years as a captain. Took you that long? Damn! I made captain in four years...in the militia...and then I quit!

His inferiority complex comes through loud and clear. I’m pretty sure if captains could have a no fly list the monkey would be on most of them.

Love the shout out.

If being Capt is no big deal anymore, then why is the company expending valuable training time making their management guy an ER Capt way out of seniority? I’m sure his trips are bought off (since he could never hold it) and probably the FO’s trips too. And what kind of pilot would accept flying as a Capt so far out of seniority, when everyone knows it?

Not necessarily a joke but kind of humorous...

**** always flows forward and to the left on an airplane.


GP

I guess reading isn't your strong suit, eh? I don't feel inferior because I'm not. The CA job is not as hard as you're making it. Again, you literally just have to be here long enough and they literally just give it to you after passing a checkride.

And you get to be on the "Watch" list. You've probably never seen the monthly "Captains minute under schedule" sheet from Mecca.

A lot of butt hurt going on here.

I guess it depends on personal philosophy. I tend to lean towards your outlook on the Captain/First Officer relationship. Some guys need that superiority and level of accomplishment in order to feel personal gratification. You don’t and neither do I but some guys require that. Captains and First Officers are just cogs in the system, each cog has a purpose.

It’s similar to the relationship between being a pilot and being a “Delta pilot”. “Through these doors walk the best pilots in the world” is the banner in the JFK crew room....compared to who, Qantas? Don’t get me wrong, Delta is my dream job but we aren’t even close.

Seniority list shows him as an ER B.

That’s what the list says, but when he flies, which is rare, it’s as an A and the company requires him to fly with a LCA (so I’ve heard). That’s all about liability supposedly. The company knows the optics of the situation should he be operating a flight that bent metal.


GP

This is interesting - can you elaborate?