Yeah the cost is wayyyy lower than people think. Really it's just moving commuters to the top of the non-rev list. Because how many flights depart each day with zero non-revs on? Very few. So those seats are just going to positive space commuters first--instead of non-revs, not instead of paying passengers in the vast majority of cases.

 

Sorry man. Not buying it. My family and I like our non-rev benefits. And I commute.

*Don’t forget to add the F/As to the equation. And every other non-con, because that’s what will happen with PSC. If pilots can do it, why not Tech Ops, dispatchers, HR, everybody?

 

Tickets are incredibly cheap unless it's a single service market. Fly from the small airport near my house, $250. Fly from the nearest major airport an hour away, DL/UA/F9 all under $100. If you average 4 trips per month, that's less than $5K/yr.

What I'd like to see if commuting/DDH language defining what's acceptable with a confirmed ticket. The company often builds trips where there's an OAL DH 1 hour prior to operating a leg, but I wouldn't without PWA language saying I can. I think there's something in the SRH that DDH just has to be as early as the planned DH. But then, sometimes the trip is built with the DH coming in way early for no obvious reason. I'd like to see a line in the PWA that says if you've purchased a confirmed ticket, 1 hour with no backup is enough when commuting and orig DH not to exceed 3 hours (you never need more than 3 hours no matter how early the scheduled) for DDH. They'd probably want an exception for charter/mil/transoceanic. That'd be a basically no cost improvement.

 

this ^^^^

all the folks that want to non rev will get hosed as the precious few seats we have in the system to do fun stuff with Will get reduced. no thanks. Commuting was a choice. You knew the rules when you decided to not live in base, to a rational adult that is a perfectly reasonable statement. I personally don’t want to give up anything for positive space commuting.

The company will want something for it. And a side effect will be a reduction in non-rev benefits for everybody………. Pretty selfish to want to change the rules at the detriment of the majority in my humble opinion. Particularly when you knew the rules going in.

 

Your argument is non-rev > PSC as a commuter? That reasoning is just invalid. You’re commuting 100x more often than non-rev leisure.

No other work groups are a concern and that should be expressed in negotiations. You’re thinking exactly how they want you to think. Honestly, the DALPA group should pump major pro-union messages to the non-union groups and just get them rallied behind unionizing

 

The majority are commuters. This is a job first - not a leisure activity group. Non-rev concerns are bottom barrel. Living in base is not a requirement, otherwise it would’ve been in the job description. “Commuting is an option” argument is also invalid.

The company has been winning for decades by not having permanent PSC language to get to/from one’s base. Just like many work rules that have been polished and refined over the years - our commuting language is barbaric/criminal and needs to be completely overhauled to meet average QOL standards. Above average would be first class to/from PSC tickets.

PSC to/from work is the bare minimum; not some prize to be won. Again, living in base is not a requirement therefore not an expectation.

 

Thanks for advising me on how/what I should think.

”No other work groups are a concern and that should be expressed in negotiations?”

How long have you worked here? That’s not how Delta operates. Complain all you want about it, but this is the reality of the culture. Don’t like it? You should volunteer to be on the negotiating committee.

Seriously, if it’s such a big deal to you apply to an ACMI that positive spaces their crews everywhere.

 

Why are you so triggered by this??

Your argument is akin to "let's not negotiate for crew meals, because they'll take away the free pizza in the crew lounge on Fridays!" .... "And they'll have to give meals to FAs too!!"

 

I agree that the non-rev angle is invalid, the company loves to tout that as a great benefit, which it may be to some, but not so much for others. It also has nothing to do with our contract and shouldn't have any consideration wrt to getting other contractual gains
..we can all afford to buy tickets. That said "commuting is an option" is 100% valid. Commuting is an option just like living in base is an option. It may be the least crappy option, but it's still an option.

Better language for commuters is a great objective but no way is PSC the bare minimum. Whether we like it or not, the company will value it based on likely having to give it to the FAs. Look no further than when they have up some PS for a pay raise, then lost their minds when our PS was way more than them. They raised a stink and quickly got PS back AND kept their pay raise. 100% in agreement that we should support other groups getting a union.

I'm all for more cash to buy tickets, coupled and better commuter policy language. It would be great if we could get a FCFL program with rates closer to UALs program.

 

Funny enough, spending negotiating capital on crew meals was a waste. Who didn't see it coming that it would be the total mess we have today? Most of the meals are terrible, missing completely or woefully inadequate. I love when my two option are both foods that I can not eat...after I noted anything but those two because I'm allergic lol. Even if we could order specific meals, it will still be crap, shelf-stable airplane food.

Just flew with a FO who had been at UAL for 2 years and they found even their crew meals were terrible. So I dont think getting their language would be a great win.