Ya know........that look, that smile and a "Hello Ferd" would result in me having a heart attack and you moving up a number:D Oh wait, that's the plan right?

Astute post.

The "new Pinnacle" is the first alter ego incepted through a partnership with management and ALPA. This airline is being created to create new value in outsourcing by reducing regional pay rates and working conditions. This will put pressure on our small jet rates in our next negotiations. If anyone thinks the 717 was anything more than a "kick the 100 seat jet can down the road" fix, they are kidding themselves.

It is so ugly that our own MEC is not particularly upset about being locked out of the room with Delta management. Nobody wants to be the father of this baby.

Allow me to contrast what is happening with what the Comair pilots fought for (and lost).

Comair:

• Three way scope negotiations with Comair's MEC, Delta's MEC and Delta management
• Joint agreement on scope which bound Delta Air Lines
• Increasing pay rates by reducing outsourcing

Pinnacle:

• Exclusive negotiations between Pinnacle ALPA and Delta management
• Unilateral negotiation on scope which commits Delta Air Lines
• Decreasing pay rates which bring pressure on others in the lower tiers of our profession

The biggest differences between Comair (or RJDC) and Pinnacle:

• Delta pilots locked out of the room with their own management
• Delta scope redefined:
  Was all Delta flying (ie "Comair" performed "Delta" flying)
  Now, just the flying Delta performs. Permitted flying belongs to someone else and can be committed within their contract

While it is understood why there is no eagerness for the Delta MEC to participate, the redefinition of our scope is really, really, damaging to our long term interests. Potentially, we would not be able to do another Contract 2012 type deal if our permitted flying was committed elsewhere. Worse, what if other pilot groups avail themselves to this new "open door with Delta management" ? Is anything we failed to nail down open game?

I am concerned, actually fearful, of the new strategic direction we are taking here. We Delta pilots are becoming just another provider of Delta flying ... we are losing the distinguishing characteristic that has made us preeminent on the Delta property.

In CQ recently, it was explained to me that the pilots going to the 717 will first go through md88 training and then do a 717 differences course. Really doesn't sound all that appealing.

that sounds downright unappealing.

Ouch. That'll be a tough transition for some folks who have been on the 76 for years.

If true, Ditto on the unappealing.

Anyone in DTW today?

If qual'd on the MD88, would a B717 pilot perhaps find themselves flying the MD88 over the summer rather than sitting and waiting for their jet to arrive?

Delta used to do that sort of thing ....

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In other news ... 2014 Corvette Stingray is "appealing." Anyone doing the NAIAS ? Delta is the "Premier Sponsor" but best I can tell that does not mean any non public access to Delta employees. (at my previous employer if we sponsored it, we generally acted liked we owned the place and could get in on non public days )

Let's talk profit sharing. It looks like projected earnings are around $1.6 billion for 2012. Doesn't that mean a pilot group cut of 20% PTIX? If so, I remember the lower cut resulted in a check worth about 6% of our personal annual earnings.

If we get the 20% cut for 2012, what % does that mean for our personal checks? Is it our total gross income, or just our taxable income?

Thanks. Happy profit sharing. :)

Except M88 isn't your category if you have been converted to B717. So you can't fly a different category once you've converted, correct?