Any "Latest & Greatest about Delta?" Part 2
05-27-2025 | 11:05 AM
#7991
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2022
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I believe it, because we’re locked out of basic functionality as well during PCS runs. One pilot viewing the reserve level grid is too much for the Commodore 64 to handle during the 20-minute long PCS run. Good thing they have it locked out.
05-27-2025 | 11:36 AM
#7992
Roll’n Thunder
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 532
From: Pilot
Yeah. The idea that a crew scheduler is locked out of anything, simply because PCS is running, is unfathomable in the 21st century.
I believe it, because we’re locked out of basic functionality as well during PCS runs. One pilot viewing the reserve level grid is too much for the Commodore 64 to handle during the 20-minute long PCS run. Good thing they have it locked out.
I believe it, because we’re locked out of basic functionality as well during PCS runs. One pilot viewing the reserve level grid is too much for the Commodore 64 to handle during the 20-minute long PCS run. Good thing they have it locked out.
And having the ability to view the reserve grid during the short window of the PCS run is also pointless since those numbers are probably changing by the second.
05-27-2025 | 12:20 PM
#7993
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I mean honestly it makes sense to lock everyone out of key functions during a PCS run. The run itself doesn’t take very long even on the 20th when it has everyone trying to make initial changes to their PBS award. I can all but guarantee that if scheduling was not locked out then at some point they would make some change to a pilot’s schedule during the run that would block an otherwise possible PCS move. Then we’d all be up in arms and demand that scheduling be locked out during the run.
And having the ability to view the reserve grid during the short window of the PCS run is also pointless since those numbers are probably changing by the second.
And having the ability to view the reserve grid during the short window of the PCS run is also pointless since those numbers are probably changing by the second.
I might agree with you if the contract stipulated that PCS will run at specified times, rather than arbitrary “no earlier than” times. Since scheduling chooses each PCS run time, they can easily engage in the nefarious activity you describe with or without a lock. They can make a move that blocks potential PCS moves, then hit “start PCS” a second later. The lock doesn’t actually limit them, it limits us.
The reserve grid is constantly changing whether PCS is running or not. The fact that we can’t see it in real time, along with an accurate reserve list, is ridiculous. Our technology is light years behind UA, and even AA.
05-27-2025 | 12:35 PM
#7994
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Unlike UA and AA DALPA has the ability to see all scheduling activity at an administrative level. If you believe something was done incorrectly you can have it checked.
The actual PCS system is a loop back design. DALPA once put out a description of how it works. That is why even though the runs are short there are not instantaneous like many pilots believe.
The actual PCS system is a loop back design. DALPA once put out a description of how it works. That is why even though the runs are short there are not instantaneous like many pilots believe.
05-27-2025 | 12:44 PM
#7995
Roll’n Thunder
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 532
From: Pilot
The lock only exists because of our ancient infrastructure.
I might agree with you if the contract stipulated that PCS will run at specified times, rather than arbitrary “no earlier than” times. Since scheduling chooses each PCS run time, they can easily engage in the nefarious activity you describe with or without a lock. They can make a move that blocks potential PCS moves, then hit “start PCS” a second later. The lock doesn’t actually limit them, it limits us.
The reserve grid is constantly changing whether PCS is running or not. The fact that we can’t see it in real time, along with an accurate reserve list, is ridiculous. Our technology is light years behind UA, and even AA.
I might agree with you if the contract stipulated that PCS will run at specified times, rather than arbitrary “no earlier than” times. Since scheduling chooses each PCS run time, they can easily engage in the nefarious activity you describe with or without a lock. They can make a move that blocks potential PCS moves, then hit “start PCS” a second later. The lock doesn’t actually limit them, it limits us.
The reserve grid is constantly changing whether PCS is running or not. The fact that we can’t see it in real time, along with an accurate reserve list, is ridiculous. Our technology is light years behind UA, and even AA.
05-27-2025 | 12:54 PM
#7996
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Joined: Jul 2022
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Again, a PCS run takes a minute or two tops, and probably well under that outside the 20-22 of each month. And that programming is actually some of the best we've got. There are very, very rarely any award errors since it is entirely automated. All of the crazy crap that happens occurs when a human is involved in the process. I agree that we need to see a lot of improvements to our systems, but complaining about being locked out for well under 5 minutes a day during the most critical schedule process outside PBS isn't where I'd put my energy.
Regardless, I’m not trying to highlight the lock as any top concern. Rather, it’s just another example of how far behind our technology is. Management has spent decades saying “well, it works”, just as you stated. As we continue to cling to the #1 (in terms of revenue) position in the industry, we need to set our IT standards higher than that.
05-27-2025 | 02:44 PM
#7997
On Reserve
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 3
We actually DO have trained union pilots that sit shoulder to shoulder with our schedulers. They have a direct line we can contact them with. They are trained on our software systems. DALPA does a good job, but they're not the only MEC capable of serving their pilots.
05-27-2025 | 02:46 PM
#7998
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Joined: Apr 2018
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Hey, I know you are a respected member of the board, but when's the last time you worked at UA? How do you know we don't have that ability? C'mon you don't have to take unnecessary shots at other MECs.
We actually DO have trained union pilots that sit shoulder to shoulder with our schedulers. They have a direct line we can contact them with. They are trained on our software systems. DALPA does a good job, but they're not the only MEC capable of serving their pilots.
We actually DO have trained union pilots that sit shoulder to shoulder with our schedulers. They have a direct line we can contact them with. They are trained on our software systems. DALPA does a good job, but they're not the only MEC capable of serving their pilots.
Do line pilots at UAL have a way to see daily trip coverage like we have at Delta? When I first got here I thought it was weird how everyone could see who got assigned certain trips, but now I realize how useful it is and believe it's something necessary that we need to keep.
05-27-2025 | 03:02 PM
#7999
On Reserve
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 3
I actually think your scheduler/union interactions are way more productive than ours from what I hear from my UAL friends.
Do line pilots at UAL have a way to see daily trip coverage like we have at Delta? When I first got here I thought it was weird how everyone could see who got assigned certain trips,
Do line pilots at UAL have a way to see daily trip coverage like we have at Delta? When I first got here I thought it was weird how everyone could see who got assigned certain trips,
05-27-2025 | 09:20 PM
#8000
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Again, a PCS run takes a minute or two tops, and probably well under that outside the 20-22 of each month. And that programming is actually some of the best we've got. There are very, very rarely any award errors since it is entirely automated. All of the crazy crap that happens occurs when a human is involved in the process. I agree that we need to see a lot of improvements to our systems, but complaining about being locked out for well under 5 minutes a day during the most critical schedule process outside PBS isn't where I'd put my energy.
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