Originally Posted by Purple Drank (Post 1300241)

Yep. good points by Scambo and Gunship Guy.

DALPA's self-righteous rationale for choosing a luxurious property for their boondoggles reeks of corruption and hypocrisy.

It's almost as though, after fighting tooth and nail to avoid any measure of transparency, DALPA got together to brainstorm some explanation--any explanation!--that could retroactively justify their extravagance at our expense. Apparently that was the best they could come up with.

Originally Posted by GunshipGuy (Post 1300412)

I disagree with the requirement because it sets a bad precedent allowing management to impose work that was originally something Delta pilots would do if they felt it was needed.

The big issue here isn't inconvenience or personal disagreement with the policy. It's the principal of the matter. We get edicts every week on the manner and method of how we're to do our jobs which is to safely fly aircraft and transport passengers across the globe. We comply with the PWA, LOAs, bulletins, etc. relating to safety, FAA requirements, and efficient use of the company's resources. This PA policy does not relate to those responsibilities and duties. Furthermore, it's not a request. The terminology used is "will." As in, the "Captain (or FO if Captain desires) will make initial PA to passengers" in the gate area if there is a known delay in boarding before boarding begins.

The resolution shouldn't be "Don't do it if you don't feel like it" or some attempt to lawyer your way out of it via a physiological needs excuse. The right way to address this over-reach by management is to address it directly in a responsible manner by the organization that takes our money to represent us in regard to our work rules.

I say this not due to a fear that this opens the door for more action of this kind, yet I do see how one could make that case. For example, what's the difference between this and RA wanting to "leverage" a Delta pilot in uniform in some other manner? How about a mandate that pilots push wheelchair bound pax to their next gate when they have the time and Airserve folks are no where to be seen? Yes, we've done it before because we wanted to, but what if it were policy?

Originally Posted by Sink r8 (Post 1300364)

Actually, a great and often overlooked point. Just because some people think sailing is some sort of union proxy, they think having some exchanges with him here constitute input to their reps, whereas all they've accomplished is to exercise their eloquence in front of this most receptive audience (and I mean that will all due respect to my esteemed colleagues). But if you look very closely, you will notice that, at no point was a rep actually contacted.

Originally Posted by gloopy (Post 1300260)

How many dimes of your dues money should they waste defending a pilot from administration action/dicipline because their newfound superiors (formerly known as gate agents and flight attendants) wrote them up for not complying with what is sure to be interpreted as the "new rule"?

Or should we throw them to the wolves? What if that pilot is you? Or will you always always always make gatehouse announcements every 15 minutes under threat of dicipline? Every single time, without exception?

This is a far bigger deal than you are making it because of the precident it could set as well as the massive erosion of captain's authority created when every single front line employee suddenly has power over you to make gatehouse announcements or else they can write you up for a policy violation.

A memo now will cost a lot less than a single pilot defense, of which there may end up being a lot of because of this very poorly thought out memo.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot (Post 1300450)

You have thought long and hard about this. You have a well put together argument. Send it to your rep or whomever else you want, and see what sort of response you get. At least take the time and tell them what you are thinking, and why.

Originally Posted by GBU-24 (Post 1300478)

What is our current daily vaction credit? Does it change on the 1st?

Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1300454)

Nor was any message ever passed from this board or am I a proxy for anyone.

Originally Posted by Doug Masters (Post 1300480)

3:00 hrs for now. Goes to 3:15 Jan1 I think