flyallnite

Yes, a lot. I'd even go so far as to say most. I think if what I've heard on the line the past 10 years is any indication, most would reconsider their career choice. For your average over 50 pilot, that's probably not in the cards. But for a new guy starting out, I'd take a real long hard look at the reality of our profession before committing myself to a lifetime of being literally strapped to it.

Personally, I like it here. I've been very fortunate, extremely so, in this career. But I don't like what I see happening in the industry and to our profession. I'm not sure that in another 10 years piloting for a US airline is going to be something that attracts the calibre of person that it has traditionally. Probably more like a trade or long haul trucking. I don't know if it will come about via cabotage or scope fragmentation, or both... but I think it's coming someday. For our colleagues at LCC and UCAL and AA, that day is today.

SailorJerry

Before you get lynched on the thread you started, I know what you meant semantically.

texavia

My advice for the past 10 years to aspiring airline pilots is DON'T.

Elvis90

Delta again leads 'Top 10 Airlines' brand ranking
July 17, 2012

For the second consecutive year, Delta has earned the top ranking in Heardable's benchmark "Top 10 Airlines in North America" report, according to CNBC.com.

Unlike other surveys that focus on an airline’s operational performance and customer service, Heardable, a widely recognized brand analysis organization, examines the online experience and how the airline performs as a brand.

“Delta has accomplished what few brands have been able to do in the digital era,” said Jon Samsel, co-founder and CEO of Heardable, Inc. “Not only have they finished No. 1 in two consecutive Heardable research reports profiling the effectiveness of the airline industry, but they’ve manage to make their brand synonymous with a quality online experience.”

Three areas that Heardable said contributed to Delta securing the top spot were sharing and syndicating travel content, search optimization and social media participation.*

With social media, Heardable noted Delta’s different platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the airline’s online blog, Under the Wing.

“In addition to what we’re seeing from benchmark reports like Business Travel News and JD Power and Associates, Delta continues to maintain and grow its lead in digital as well,” said Bob Kupbens, v.p.-Marketing and Digital Commerce. “It’s good to see that the collective effort across teams, including delta.com, Marketing, Reservations and Information Technology, is being recognized.”

acl65pilot

What he is saying here is their current CPA was negotiated prior to CH11, prior to our TA and therefore cannot force them in be in compliance with the holding company language within our PWA if they opt not to re-negotiate their CPA's with DAL for a RJ swap. Effectively em fighting words.

acl65pilot

They have eight years to worry about it. From the chatter over at their multiple carriers, it sounds like he is going to make a significant move towards proving that our PWA provisions do not apply to a previously negotiated CPA early next year.

Of course his words are qualified, so he may back down, but as I said earlier, there is chatter over there that something big that does not inclide RJ's is going to go down early next year. All I know is it does not include RJ's, or DAL. From what I gather, people there see it as an event that will make SKW Holdings a career airline.

My guesses are a purchase of someone like NKS, or Virgin America.

acl65pilot

Yes. I suspect that the DTW 744 A and B, 330 A and 77 A and B will see openings. The rest will probably not be backfilled. Just my guess based on where the 115 early outs are coming from as well as demand for bodies due to network changes.

*777 may not materialize on this bid if they opt to keep DHing ATL crews. At some point we will see a shift of 777s to DTW though.

acl65pilot

Would not surprise me one bit. Time to get our resident OH pilot on our list.

tsquare

With the exception of one of 'em....

gloopy

Are all the RJ's under contract at SKYW until 2020, or just "some" go out til 2020? I doubt they all go out that far.

Plus some wouldn't need to go until 2015 anyway. I'm sure by then quite a few SKYW/ASA/ExpressJet leases will be long expired. The company also has some "flex" of about a dozen 70 and 76 seaters coming off lease prior to the end of 2015 anyway, which could be used to lower the hull count in the "hard cap". I have no problem making them do that. I would also give them relief for 5 fifty seaters for a couple years if they permantly remove five 99.9Klbs jets from non union DPJ or fly them with our pilots. After 2015, 70 and 76 seaters start coming off lease fast and furiously. DL would only have to carry a little bit of RJ fat (yet remain in compliance through lower utilization) until 2015, and then the problem would rapidly fix itself as that meglomaniac JA flails around trying to run a real airline as his saved millions fly out the door.

And anything can be cancelled. The worst we may have to pay are the leases (that we are 100% paying anyway, directly or indirectly, and which will be taken care of by the 2:1 swap regardless) and early out penalties. Force the company to pay those. Let's flush that out right now if we could: how much, exactly, are those penalties? DAL is going to have to pay them, and I seriously doubt they are on the hook for countless billions like some like to pretend. Remember, the cost of the leases, which is by far the lions share of early out penalties, is a zero cost item in this case. Zero.