Right back at ya. You are the personification of the perpetual attack dog that offers nothing of substance other than personal attacks. You take everything and offer your spin and propaganda with no addition to the debate. I am sure that you have some outcome in your mind that will result through constantly tearing down the efforts of others but I wish you would share what that outcome is. I have only seen failure and frustration result from this negative behavior. But hey, keep banging your head against the wall, maybe the 10,000th time it will help.

Besides being an attack dog, you are the personification of the guy who can dish it but can't take it. You offer a personal attack and then when called on it call me arrogant. I guess if I'm arrogant I would at least like to have the facts on my side.

But that's the very reason the airframes come in September. We go from running around like chickens with our heads cut off for 3 months at an ALV of 84 but then the block hours drop in September. So instead of dropping to an ALV of 72 we drop to an ALV of 76 to absorb the training load. It's an economies of scale issue. In a category of 75 line holders, a one hour change in ALV covers the absence of one pilot. If we only add 6 airframes a month, we add an hour of ALV to 12 categories, or a 12 hour increase in the global sum of ALV and we have the staffing issue covered. Hiring MUST commence shortly thereafter to absorb a full schedule of ALV=84 flying for summer 2014. Thus, the reason we won't ever be able to stop hiring, but the reason we've been able to dodge it thus far. Can't say that we weren't sold down the river on the TA thing, but this is the closest I can get to a legitimate, analytical answer regarding hiring (an answer absent the typical political infighting).

+717

ten

I thought we allowed the TLV to go up 2, not 4 hours, so you can't drop ALV's to 76. I also don't think you can model the training load to be spread across a bunch of categories, because the 717 A is going to come from a specific part of the group, probably WB F/O's, and the B is going to be mostly A320B/M88B/DC9B/newhires. Nonetheless, you could be right. I just don't have enough info to weigh in. All I know is airframes, personal movement, hiring, and seniority %. I can measure those.

The point isn't that we can prove that there will or will not be hiring and advancement after the TA. That's all based on hunches and rumors. In terms of proof, in terms of measureable metrics, we're all waiting. As we do this, there really isn't any more of a reason to be optimistic (except maybe mental health) than pessimistic (unless you having your aspirations crushed to be detrimental). In the absence of convincing evidence we go to our respective biases(sp?), and I think most of us have learned, since about 1991, to be very cautious with our optimism.

The APC ads have changed again.

The hot Filipino girls who wanted to date me must have got a look at me and decided I needed some work. Their ads have been replaced by ads for new pilot uniforms.

I'm getting an online MBA ad(?).

Am I being groomed to be a pimp for Asian chicks?

NOT correct in some respects. A net gain in airframes ONLY means more hiring if the productivity of pilots stays the same. If productivity is increased and reserves required reduced (as it was with this contract), then the company is instantly overstaffed a bit, and does not need to hire for any new airframes... those just get us back to Mgt view of a good pilot ratio. Which is not in our interest for time off and QOL, but may be for a profitable and existing airline.

ADDITIONALLY, I would dispute your assumption of a net increase of airframes. In fact, Delta has said to investors several times that all of the airframe deals we have going on will be capacity neutral. They have repeatedly stated these are all replacement airplanes. Elsewhere they have published the "increase" of expected airframes to 793 (I think), but there is so much massaging of investors and doublespeak of mainline vs. DCI airframes and capacity and shifting airframe removal dates, that I don't believe anyone can reliably state we will be growing. Those who point to that single 793 number and ignore allllllll the other investor statements made on capacity neutral and airframe retirements are IMO being sold a bill of goods while wearing naive rosy glasses.

However, you are precisely right in your final analysis--follow the ACTIONS of leadership and not all the hyperbole. The ACTIONS show no hiring, repeated and constant shrinking, constant acceptance of west coast AK feed vs. competition, and reduction in pilot staffing needed through increased reserve utilization.

As a stockholder, I say "Bravo!". As a pilot, I am not required to be pleased that actions/results met expectations posted--I can absolutely be disheartened that my career is stagnated and shrinking.

I surely can be depressed that as of today, looking at the ALPA seniority calculator and all the category captain lists, and this month's actual lines awarded per category, I am projected to be able to hold a line as a Capt on the MD88 ANYWHERE in our system on the 22nd year of my career.

What generates the angst is the extinguishment of Hope. There was a massive up-sell by the Pro-TA folks, ALPA and company both, painting growth/hiring/hope. SD literally came out and said we'd be hiring TODAY if the TA passed and economics stayed the same (they have). All the usual suspects painted that same picture. Now, when the "narrow body retirement cleanup" bid comes out, it turns out that I have moved backwards by 1-2 spots in every category I can hold in LAX, SEA, SLC, MSP, DTW, and ATL. Again.

Of course biatching about advancement isn't the whole picture, and there's a zillion great things in life I, and others, are happy for... but this board doesn't get all that info, just mostly what's-down-with-Delta stuff, so of course there's a lot of disgruntlement expressed vs. "It's a Wonderful Life". It is a wonderful life, fly a trip with me and you'll see that's who I am... but RIGHT NOW, I freaking forgot to Bid for Dec, and I moved backwards again, so I'm going to go find a cat to kick.

I can buy my multi engine rating for $4000 in a 4day program! Probably a good idea i heard i need that before i can fly CAP in the Delta F-16

OK, this is a pretty interesting and reasonable sounding post and makes me a bit hopeful... curse you!

The ads are directed toward other similar sites you have visited. I guess we know who likes asians!