I recall this being pretty extensively wargamed on here during the TA vote, and yeah I guess if they'd retained a bunch of DC9s/75s while taking delivery of 737s they could have pulled a "pump and dump," though they also would have had to get rid of 70-seaters as the 70+76 seat cap would remain unchanged. Fair 'nuff. Don't get me wrong, there are aspects of the new contract I really like. The fact that 450 is a hard cap and can't be increased is one. I like that a greater percentage of flying is done by DAL pilots. I hope this trend increases in future contracts.

I guess the reason I have a really hard time with 76 seat flying increasing is that I've seen it up close for the last 5+ years, really seen what that aircraft is capable of, and feel in my heart that it truly ought to be done by mainline pilots. It's vexing when those in power seem to be unconcerned that this flying was taken away from them under duress, when they express little interest in recapturing it, and when they trade it away for other things. It really does make me wonder if there is any real line in the sand, anything my union won't do to sell out my generation. I honestly hope I'm wrong about ALPA, that my cynicism about them is myopia brought on from where I've been in the industry, and their strategy turns out to be brilliant in hindsight.

Sailing, I've meant to ask you this a long time & never got around to it, what with us always butting heads on here...what boat do you sail?

I was looking at that and yes, you beat me to it.

As an amateur Ob/Gyn, I can state that is too short to be a C-
Section scar. More like an "I was just sitting down" tummy line, like the one through her belly button.

Only "mostly dead."



He's still "slightly alive."

"Have fun storming the Castle ..."

Just in case you forgot: this thread was started by a non-Delta pilot looking for information on pilot hiring. :D

Besides, some of us non-Delta pilots have already paid admission:
http://s4.postimage.org/r9m3wto31/bl...erboob_007.jpg

Your second to last paragraph explains why we butt heads. You seem to think DALPA is out to get the junior guy when in fact at DALPA there have been far more improvements in junior areas then for the senior guys. Pay rates are hugely improved from when I was junior especially when viewed relative to the senior pay rates increases or lack there off. Reserve is a night and day better system then we once had. Dalpa was the first airline to pick up medical for furloughed pilots. Dalpa was the first airline to get longevity credit for furloughed pilots. DALPA switched a company offered 9 percent DC to a targeted plan reducing contribution to senior pilots to zero or near zero. DALPA made a choice to not sacrifice the bottom half of the seniority list to save the large earned and accrued retirement held by the senior pilots.
As far as trading scope for other improvements scope at Delta has always been the very last item settled in each contract. Pay as a example had long been set in stone in the 01 contract before scope was complete. The recent TA was much the same. The company wanted larger aircraft at DCI and fought tooth and nail to get that. They really wanted the E190. They offered more money in raises to get the E190 at DCI. The negotiating committee turned them down and we kept the limit at 76 taking lower pay in the process. They structured the scope changes to produce 1000 additional jobs that will only impact the bottom 50 percent of the list. I can go on and on but am out of time.
I sail anything I can. I have been involved in sailing for both pleasure and business for 20 years. It was my plan B when Delta was close to shutting the doors to take care of my family.

Two points well taken..... In the picture.:D

Point made, and if jungle was merely asking about potential hiring........ instead of spouting unasked for and ill-informed commentary on the Delta Pilots ability to decide what is best for themselves and the organization that works hard every day to improve the lives and working conditions of Delta Pilots.

No argument from me; I'm just calling you out the "Delta only" dress code.

Boomer, this night has gone to hell. From one Delta wanna-be to another - I need some more pics! :)

Four more years of the same policies - at least it won't be a long, drawn-out recount.

Gridlock in DC is good. That keeps them from meddling. Unfortunately, they won't be un-meddling anything.