Reminds me of a couple of airplanes I flew early in life which had been assembled from parts from several other wrecked airplanes ... which is kind a metaphor for the impending US Air merger.

Caption 2 (stole from ALPA board) "Huh, I thought it would have a stapler ... "

Quote
"One interesting angle on this is that we may actually be helping the company at no cost to us. The permitted flying has not increased as a result of this TA. However, it has made it easier for Delta to deal with a DCI carrier, potentially at a lower cost. Perhaps we are doing them a favor, for another favor in return? Ironically, this helps Delta potentially whipsaw two carriers, but does not necessarily harm the Delta pilots. At least not now. "

This is the biggest point I believe people are missing about this deal. All our pilot issues aside (and they are important issues) this Pinnacle deal was a huge win and cost saving deal for Delta. If I am not mistaken dont most of our new contracts with the regionals have a provision in them that they (regionals) have to be among the bottom 2 or 3 lowest in pay? If thats the case then with Gojets and Pinnacle being rock bottom in prices that will force the costs down at ASA and Skywest too. This was a brilliant deal by Delta as a back door way to force down costs.

Lee Moak is no longer on the DAL MEC.

Well sure ....

... and is it the role of a union to help facilitate cost savings through outsourcing?

With multiple pilot groups now sitting at the table with Delta management, that is exactly what will happen. ... and we Delta pilots are nothing more than a "vendor" according to some who hold important positions within our representative structure.

...................

more coffee

Can't wait for our next contract negotiation where we give ever more large RJs away. Moak will have his hands in that as well. It's clear what he's been doing for a long time, I guess some people are waiting for him to burn the house down before they do something. Unfortunately then it's too late.

Apologies if this has already been brought up but the 1/15 ALPA Fast Read states "guaranteed HIRING for many PCL pilots at Delta". Is that correct?

Who knows? The Pinnacle pilots are citing their MEC Chair, Tom Wychor, who states they have a top secret agreement with the Delta's Director of Flight Operations.

As far as I know, no one has seen this agreement. It is just an ALPA crew room briefing being repeated by the Pinnacle pilots on the web boards.

The Comair ALPA fleet guarantee of LOA 2005 was not signed by Delta.

The Comair ALPA fleet guarantee "side letter" to Contract 2007 was signed by Delta.

Not that the fleet guarantee even mattered.

All the growth aircraft Delta awarded Comair during that three-year timespan were brought together for a one-time photoshoot at CVG Concourse C in 2010:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/...b96a031ec0.jpg