I think its unlimited if they are under 37. Or something like that.

I was wondering the same thing. The email started off with how awesome and protective this was, but then said they can do a massive increase while we decrease. I read it twice but still thought "nah, I must have read it backwards or something".

Is that seriously what we just agreed to?

It came to me in my sleep: the reason this is good is that it's a production balance.

I had gone to sleep wondering what a production inbalance might actually look like. I finally got it, and woke up screaming. It took the kids two glasses of milk and about 45 minutes of lullabies to finally coax me back to sleep. The kept asking me what my nightmare was, but I just couldn't bear to tell them. I just softly sobbed myself to sleep to the sound of their voices.

Trust me, Gloopy, this is a great LOA.

You have to be careful with PA's. Here is my true story.

I'm an FO on the 727. Captain's leg into MIA. Anti-skid inop.

He has a very firm landing. Felt like we blew the left side main mounts.

As we are taxiing off the runway at significant list, tower contacts us and says "Delta, you may be on fire."

I suggested to the the Captain that he stick his head out the window to look, I thought we had just blown some tires.

As I was talking to tower, the Captain began to make a PA. From a distance I think I hear him say "Ladies and Gentlemen, we may be on fire."

I got off the radio and said "What did you just say?"

The SO (that's second officer or flight engineer for you youngsters) tapped me on the shoulder and asked "What are those people doing on the runway?"

We realized that the F/A's had only heard "fire" and started the evacuation. All the engines were running. I don't even think the brakes were set.

On the bright side, the slides weren't sucked into the engines. We opened the cockpit door and the airplane was empty. We shut the engines down. Maintenance came out and changed two tires.

We taxied to the gate. Empty. Turned the airplane and went back to DFW.

I got a phone call.

Moral of story. Be careful with PA's. This policy is disaster.

Disregard.

I have been making this PAs for over 15 years. Most gate agents are very appreciative and passengers listen when you speak. It is a professional thing to do and makes sense during IROPs and takes less then 60 seconds. I will do one when I get the paperwork or are checking radar.

A non issue......

CA Gate PA - Happy Story
 

ATL-CPH a few years ago - the gate agent said we were delayed for mx. CA came out and explained what was wrong, how they were going to fix it, and the best case/worse case time it was going to take. He said he would keep us informed. Every 15 minutes is probably overkill if it's a 3 hour fix. Just tell us if something changes.

Made everyone feel alot better.

IIRC it had to do with potable water and how they had to flush the system and test it before they would release the A/C.

Of course you will do one. You have to do one. And then 15 mins later you have to do another one. Rinse, repeat.

This is where maybe we're going off the deep end on this one. The policy actually has a great side: it acknowledges that we are better, more trustworthy, and more effective when it comes to calming the huddled masses. This is a GOOD thing.

The flaw is to make it mandatory. Some people should never do a gatehouse PA. Most of us can do a great job. I get a little intimidated in that format, for the first ten seconds, then I'm actually effective. As a CA, I'd try my hand at it, and see how it plays out. If I turned out it wasn't my thing, I wouldn't do it. But there are a lot of great guys that could be coaxed out, and would make great advocates for us.

Either we're f'n awesome, or we're not. We just don't need gate agents to be promised fireworks when some of us may be otherwise engaged, or unable to deliver.

If there was a memo telling gate agents to bring little kids up to the cockpit while boarding, we'd probably be talking about the dangers of little kids on flight decks.

The only problem with the memo, I'll say it again, is the mandatory nature of it. One change in one sentence would have made it perfect.

Speaking of the dangly bits ...

Richard Branson water skies with nude supermodels on his back and says he'll use his more efficient new technology jets to bury us and United.

Our management talks about cooperation, downsizing to something more affordable, and brags about the deals they find at antique sales.

Could it be our airline just has low T ? Could testosterone supplements make the difference for Delta Air Lines?

... wonder when they will make the GO a "ranch" and get rid of the stairs and insist on a front loading washer ... Mom, is that you in there ?