Delta 56 Severe Turbulence
08-26-2025 | 06:47 AM
#453
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,467
Likes: 633
From: NYC 7ERA
In my 4 years as a Captain here, here are the 3 things I've been asked to explain.
Refusing an aircraft to go to Africa. Mx agreed with me. They got ne a new plane and we left an hour late. -this was a CA CP, he was 100% on board with my decision, but I'm not sure if a less than 2 years here on a domestic only fleet ACP who had never been a CA at the regional would have understood my logic.
Requesting an A be replaced because I had concerns she wouldn't listen after she flat out blew me off when I told her we were deplaning due to inability to keep cabin at any reasonable temperature. I had already expanded team and OCC/MCC said it's my call but they'd agree with it if I did.
-this call was from an ACP I knew from a previous job, and he agreed with me.
Refusing to fly OAK-SFO after 2 windshear events at SFO, our alternate closing, and diverting again to OAK and landing with fuel low enough that we had to do paperwork. We were pushing the 9:00 hard block limit and they had us planned 20 minutes gate to gate. No way. We were fried.
-ACP with very limited experience, questioned why we couldn't "just take the extension" and I had to explain there was no extension on the block limit and even if there was I didn't feel safe to continue.
So 2 out of 3 were no problem just wanted to know what the deal was but one was having to explain myself to someone who hadn't been in the position.
Refusing an aircraft to go to Africa. Mx agreed with me. They got ne a new plane and we left an hour late. -this was a CA CP, he was 100% on board with my decision, but I'm not sure if a less than 2 years here on a domestic only fleet ACP who had never been a CA at the regional would have understood my logic.
Requesting an A be replaced because I had concerns she wouldn't listen after she flat out blew me off when I told her we were deplaning due to inability to keep cabin at any reasonable temperature. I had already expanded team and OCC/MCC said it's my call but they'd agree with it if I did.
-this call was from an ACP I knew from a previous job, and he agreed with me.
Refusing to fly OAK-SFO after 2 windshear events at SFO, our alternate closing, and diverting again to OAK and landing with fuel low enough that we had to do paperwork. We were pushing the 9:00 hard block limit and they had us planned 20 minutes gate to gate. No way. We were fried.
-ACP with very limited experience, questioned why we couldn't "just take the extension" and I had to explain there was no extension on the block limit and even if there was I didn't feel safe to continue.
So 2 out of 3 were no problem just wanted to know what the deal was but one was having to explain myself to someone who hadn't been in the position.
08-26-2025 | 07:23 AM
#454
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 280
08-26-2025 | 07:46 AM
#455
Banned
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 499
08-26-2025 | 07:48 AM
#456
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 521
Likes: 25
From: 320
I ended up in a discipline proceeding over this. So yes, the reps were very involved. As were lawyers.
And it was shown to me, in writing where ACPs have authority over Captains.
This is why I tell people because it's not something that you would assume, nor do I remember ever being told, although it is in a company publication that we do have accees to, but wouldn't ever think to look it up. It may have been mentioned during new hire but that is basically drinking from a fire hose and I was a bit more concerned with my wife's brain surgery than I was random HR manuals during indoc.
It very well may have been presented/told but I had a lot of crap happen when I was in indoc.
And it was shown to me, in writing where ACPs have authority over Captains.
This is why I tell people because it's not something that you would assume, nor do I remember ever being told, although it is in a company publication that we do have accees to, but wouldn't ever think to look it up. It may have been mentioned during new hire but that is basically drinking from a fire hose and I was a bit more concerned with my wife's brain surgery than I was random HR manuals during indoc.
It very well may have been presented/told but I had a lot of crap happen when I was in indoc.
Mean that in a semi-joking way but you do seem like a magnet for unfortunate stuff.....
08-26-2025 | 07:54 AM
#457
Really got furloughed
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 663
Likes: 80
From: Gramercy Riffs
Word. I’ve been here 25 years and have never had a conversation with any of those people that I didn’t initiate. Maybe I’m just lucky.
08-26-2025 | 08:31 AM
#458
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 121
Not critiquing, just an observation. If we can see a trend, the CPO 1000% sees it. He's had a shockingly large number of crazy things happen to him here that seem to always be the companies fault.
08-26-2025 | 08:39 AM
#459
On Reserve
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 180
Likes: 45
I'm just a 2 year upgrade so what do i know, I'm probably not even worthy to join this discussion. But so far I've refused aircraft, deplaned aircraft, called in fatigued, air returned an ocean crossing flight, asked to post delays, and have never heard a peep from anyone. Do i believe there's power hungry CPs and ACPs out there? Absolutely. But in my experience it's not as widespread as some make it out to be. At least in my case the office has stayed out of my hair for operational decisions. I did have a "wellness check not really a GFB" call when I was NYC based which irritated me, but that was my only negative interaction so far.
08-26-2025 | 08:39 AM
#460
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 13,226
Likes: 677
From: ir.delta.com
I had One CA in 12 years as a FO that I refused to fly with. If someone is constantly at odds with the other pilot or pilots they fly with I might suggest they take a long hard look in the mirror.
I also suggest there is likely a lot more going on with the hat story. I am not sure I ever saw anyone eating with the hat on! The actual story is probably something like the CP asked the pilot to wear his hat on a prior occasion or occasions and saw him again without a hat. He may have been eating but likely did not have a hat at all.
Some posters on here seem to have more issues with the CP’s in a month than most pilots in a career. When there is an issue the first thing most guys working in the office tend to do is pull up a pilots attendance report. That sets the tone on if they will contact a pilot. Reliability is a big thing at Delta and most airlines. Some pilots through no fault of their own have issues that affect reliability but should not be upset if asked. Unless they have interacted with you before or know you personally it’s the one thing they can check.
I embarrassed myself twice in my career by going in to see the CP about a pilot facing termination that I felt by the rumors was unjust. Let’s just say there is always a whole lot more to the story than gets out. Pilots usually only hear the side of the pilot facing discipline. They never hear the rest of the story!
One last thing I will add however. Delta is like a Elephant, they never forget.
I also suggest there is likely a lot more going on with the hat story. I am not sure I ever saw anyone eating with the hat on! The actual story is probably something like the CP asked the pilot to wear his hat on a prior occasion or occasions and saw him again without a hat. He may have been eating but likely did not have a hat at all.
Some posters on here seem to have more issues with the CP’s in a month than most pilots in a career. When there is an issue the first thing most guys working in the office tend to do is pull up a pilots attendance report. That sets the tone on if they will contact a pilot. Reliability is a big thing at Delta and most airlines. Some pilots through no fault of their own have issues that affect reliability but should not be upset if asked. Unless they have interacted with you before or know you personally it’s the one thing they can check.
I embarrassed myself twice in my career by going in to see the CP about a pilot facing termination that I felt by the rumors was unjust. Let’s just say there is always a whole lot more to the story than gets out. Pilots usually only hear the side of the pilot facing discipline. They never hear the rest of the story!
One last thing I will add however. Delta is like a Elephant, they never forget.
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