Originally Posted by flyallnite

I don't understand the cynical tone. How long have we been the #1 on time airline? A year... if that? Where were we 3 years ago? Dead last? Passenger complaints? Baggage?

This is all about big data. It's working for us and if you don't want to participate, well I guess you'll just be one dot on the matrix that doesn't get counted. I'm glad our management is finally trying to find out where the root problems lie and fix them. 10 years ago, we held every day into ATL when it was CAVU. Now, I barely do two turns when it's thunderstorms at the field. The gate is usually available, and the ground crew was out there in the pouring rain waiting for us to park last week. I'd call that a major improvement from before.

It's amazing when you think about how far flung our operation is and how many challenges we face and despite all that, we are killing it. I for one want to see it get better because I know it can. I've never seen an opportunity at this company to really get things where they needed to be until recently, from an operational perspective.

Will there be problems? Yes! Will JFK run 100 percent on time? No! Will ramp ops get fouled up? Of course they will! But if the processes are going to get changed, there has to be data showing exactly what the problem truly is for things to get the needed attention. That's the whole point. There ARE problems. If we "do the agents a favor" and show on time, we are covering for a myriad of problems to include RJ's blocking the ramp, etc... So STOP covering for everyone, and let the problems come to light. If someone asks you what happened, it's not because they are trying to punish you, it's because they realize you are in a unique position to see what the problem really is, and they want to hear your answer!

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

good points, flyallnite.

While my first reaction is that of Timbo, typically the programs in the past have been used to pin deficiencies on ACS where they refuse to acknowledge the problem. They've done a pretty dang good job of fixing it, too. I'm truly impressed with the way the operation functions for the vast majority of the time. Sitting back and watching the machine that is ATL is astounding.

Hopefully that continues with this new focus.

Originally Posted by sailingfun

They did not get the new training program approved by the FAA in time to pre post it as required by the contract. There will be training in March but only those pilots still on the last cycle. If your on the new cycle you will not be able to attend in the early month. The vast majority of Delta's training costs are fixed. There is little cost savings to deferring the training and it reduces line pilots available to the company as we ramp up flying in April and May for the summer. That increases greenslips.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

Originally Posted by georgetg

Re: "Latency" Bulletin:
As someone else mentioned, Delta is getting big into "data mining."
When compared to our competitors data-set, our structural deficiencies or operational issues start to becomes evident.

As pilots while we might not have the "big picture," we do have a front row seat to the operation and if asked would be able to put our finger on quite a few issues...
Of course most of the time we end up greasing the skids to make the whole operation run without a hitch and on time. There are many little things as cockpit crews we do daily that facilitate a smooth operation. When we stop doing that, the whole operations takes a big hit.

Unfortunately this proactive approach helps mask operational or structural issues in other departments...issues that never get fixed because their negative effects are being continuously mitigated by cockpit crews. It's like a minor squawk you don't put in the book. Three weeks later you get the same jet and it still has the squawk because nobody else has put it in the book...

That's how I read the memo, nothing more, nothing less.

But here's a look at a blip of the "Data" that most likely triggered the memo:
Our taxi times from OUT to OFF compared to our competitors
As you can see, on average, Delta aircraft spend 5-10 minutes more on the ground from OUT to OFF...
And while I don't have the data, I'd imagine the numbers in ATL to look about the same, thus the attempt at "pushing on the 45" to save time.

Obviously when viewed through the data mining lens, these minutes become accretive and suddenly we "recover" several aircraft/day by adding up all the time.
The motivation here is doing more with less. We've shrunk to the point where any further cuts in capacity have big negative affects on CASM and these efforts are a an attempt to gain some wiggle room.

Cheers
George