GunshipGuy

From the LEC 44 Hotline today:

"The net result of RAW and its efficiency is that it saves Delta money by reducing the number of reserves required, open time and premium flying. These net savings from RAW go to Delta’s bottom-line, but not necessarily yours."

Glad to hear they're all about taking up the fight against the company's efforts to reduce the number of reserves required. Makes me wonder what other possible ways we could work to stop the reduction in staffing requirements. Anyone?

johnso29

If you want to increasing staffing you could campaign for our co-workers to stop flying 90+ hours every month. I remember my 7er LCA showing me his 130+ hours of credit he was acquiring every month. I know a few ALPA P2P guys, & while they were making calls to survey the pilot group there were multiple people who griped that they couldn't fly to FAR max every month!!!

I say we go back to the bow wave program. We truly are our own worst enemy.

Bucking Bar

Somehow you got the opposite meaning than that the writer intended to communicate.

Prior to RAW value, we had straight seniority. We lost straight seniority in pre-bankruptcy concessionary bargaining. ALPA would like to have back pure seniority, but that comes at a cost to efficiency. If we negotiate a more seniority based system it will cost money somewhere. Many pilots prefer to have hourly pay rates than work rules.

I was a little surprised when this 120 lb overweight Captain made his way up to the ALPA Reps in the lounge and asked "how much did this new reserve pay cost us?" ALPA's Rep answered something along the lines of 1 to 2 %. The Captain got bellicose and said "screw 'em, I want the money." The ALPA Rep said, well, our reserve pay was well below industry standard and it now has been brought up to what the rest of the profession is, on average, paying their pilots." Captain Itsallaboutme was non-plussed (he looked a lot like you can imagine he looks when getting gut checked by the yoke on the taxi checklist).

That's the exchange when we talk work rules .... (he had a flip phone, I'm not worried that he will read this on the Forum unless his 8086 with Windows ME is working today)

Scoop

We had this on the C-9 in the Navy a few times (No autopilot) but one time stands out as particularly fun. I was flying as the aircraft Commander and knowing my limitations (a man has got to know his limitations) we asked for, and received, a block altitude for most of the time at cruise. We were flying transcon, San Diego to Norfolk, or perhaps Jacksonville so it was going to be quite tedious.

The other Pilot, also an aircraft commander but flying as a co-pilot that day, was your typical **** hot fighter pilot type, who was generally a better stick and rudder man than myself - so naturally I couldn't pass up this opportunity to humble him a few notches.

We decided to take turns to break up the monotony of hand flying. Unbeknownst to my fellow aviator, I called back to the crew and hatched a devious plan. When ever I was flying everyone would remain seated but when my partner was flying the crew would alternatively move all the way forward wait a few minutes and then move all the way back. We flew with the cockpit door open and our crew chief would pop up see who was flying and then take charge in the back.

It worked like a charm - I was able to trim the aircraft relatively stable, but my buddy was all over the sky. He actually started sweating and was worried he was losing "it." After over an hour of this we finally broke down and told him what was going on - the look on his face was priceless!

Scoop

GunshipGuy

Not trying to be smart with you BB, but I think you got the opposite meaning than what I intended to communicate. What you described as to what ALPA wants and what it costs are very clear and easy to understand from the Hotline email. The point I was trying to make is the argument for trying to implement changes that would go against the company's efforts to reduce staffing are a bit ironic when you contrast that to the TA changes (30-day bid months in the summer and ALV+15) that helped the company's efforts to reduce staffing needs.

Bucking Bar

In exchange for more money for reserves ....

ALPA's just pointing out it is a exchange.

Take a poll of the pilots, and what they are willing to trade so the <1% of senior pilots who bid down to reserve can avoid work ... we know what the answer is going to be.

The most vigorous proponents of the "seniority on reserve" issue are commuters who would really prefer a six figure job they did not have to show up at. It's hard to make that a populist issue in Mecca ( C44 ).

IMHO the current system is not going to change much, if at all. Everyone (except for you and me on reserve) like things the way they are.

Bucking Bar

Love It.

...

tomgoodman

It was easier if you flew the MD-88 first, then bid the 75/76. MadDogs are Jurassomagic.

Bucking Bar

That is because you learn the automation in the MD88 but don't dare trust it.

Then you bid the 76 and observe it actually working.

Good transition.

sinca3

...Or if ALPA would just plainly say what they are trying to communicate it would solve the problem where everyone triesto interpret it to suit their argument de jour! Stop the legalise or the, Hey I'm really smart and can use big long sentences. Dumb it down for the line guys that don't have a MBA, doctorate, or some nuclear physics degree!
I rode the short bus and am damn proud of it!!