A few questions since it’s been too long since I left 9E so my recollection is failing me.

There was, and it sounds like still is, a bridge agreement covering large RJs. How many are guaranteed, and to what date? Does that change with this agreement? What is the total fleet count at 9E currently?

I thought there was a clause in the contract that guaranteed 9E the best or equal to the best movement to mainline. Is this still accurate or is that a figment of my over-served imagination? What are the current minimum numbers guaranteed for 9E pilots per class? I know there were numbers tied to the SSP but I don’t know what exists now.

This whole situation is a mess. The biggest thing for all to remember is; EDVALPA didn’t create this, DALPA didn’t create this, a group of execs in Atlanta that would like to remind you how important it is to stick to your deals created this situation. JG, RG, Johnny Giggles, and the perpetually tired Ed have created this.

 

The bridge agreement guarantees Endeavor 109 dual class RJs out of a total fleet of 193 aircraft. This agreement extends the bridge agreement 2 years past the amendable date (2031) since the TA also includes a contract extension.

We are contractually guaranteed to have the best career progression to Delta still

SSP was done years ago. The non contractual DGI is only 180 pilots a year and they heavily metered the class dates

 

This would def be more highly agreed to on the 9E side. There was a proposed idea to turn edv into a 4 year airline. Then those that meet the 48 months on property with some other caveats could go directly to mainline. But there wasn't a counter proposal by the company...(9E). As our mec wanted some of those caveats removed.

 

DALPA can’t merge anyone into the seniority list. Only management can do that. In order to hold a Delta seniority number you must be employed at Delta. If management chooses to merge 9E than negotiations would begin on the seniority list. No negotiated settlement would be reached as 9E pilots would be foolish to agree to a staple. It would go to arbitration where the arbitrator is required to use ALPA merger policy in crafting a combined list. Here is that policy.

“The policy states that the factors that must be considered in constructing a fair and equitable integrated seniority list, in no particular order and with no particular weight, now include but are not limited to career expectations, longevity, and status and category.”

If you are a Delta pilot don’t count on a staple. Status in the above list could really hurt on the Delta side. It could impact a considerable portion of the bottom half of the list. A prenuptial agreement could result in a staple but that would require management at Delta to work with DALPA to push such a agreement on 9E. Prior prenups include Delta/PanAm and SWA/AirTran. It’s unlikely given the current union management relationship that management would support a prenup.

Its also highly unlikely that management would ever merge 9E with Delta as they simply don’t believe the flying could be done with a cost structure competitive with our competition. If you are not very close to your competitors in cost the flying will not remain at the mainline it will simply go away and the feed will be lost. Most airline management teams seem to feel that anything with less than about 140 seats going forward can’t be sustained at the mainline. The only exceptions are Delta and JetBlue that operate down to 100 seats and plan to continue to do so.

 

We will not accept a staple. If our MEC tries to force a staple on us without MEMRAT they will be sued to infinity for DFR breach.

 

What are you on the RJDC now, yikes, where did these "new forum members" suddenly come from?

 

If this 9E flow actually materializes, which I don’t care or have a say in (management hires pilots), 9E pilots would start at the bottom like everyone else on the seniority list has. Whether they came from the Regionals, Mil, or elsewhere.

Again , DALPA’s beef is not with the 9E pilots, it’s with management. No one here is trying to stand in the way of a flow for a flows sake. Aim your fire where it belongs.
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In the highly unlikely event 9E is brought up to mainline wholesale, do 9E pilots honestly expect anything BUT a staple? Do you really expect DOH, or a straight zipper?

 

No one expects DOH. If they merge the lists ALPA merger policy must be followed, with mediation and arbitration being conducted when appropriate. This is pretty much a useless conversation since there is no way Delta is going to combine Delta and Endeavor EVER.

 

With your attitude.....I hope you are right. Seems like I have seen this movie before! It's the vocal guys like you that will poison the well for the vast majority on both sides. JMHO

 

I have never supported the RJDC. My point is that if our lists combine, we will follow ALPA merger policy like sailingfun said. Our MEC should never even consider accepting any kind of staple.