Shiz,

I took the "not one more seat" to mean no increase beyond 76 seats.

I took the "not one more pound" to mean no increase in permitted maximum gross weight of any regional jet.

I took the "not one more jet" to mean no increase in the number of 76 seat aircraft allowed.

And that's where I see contract 2012 as a scope failure. Simply put DALPA negotiated (and to be fair; the pilot group ratified the TA) an increase in the number of 76 seat RJ's.

FTB put it well (imagine that?):

"And no, an exchange of any of the current PWA limits for fewer 50 seaters is not a win. We now know from the earnings calls how much of a financial and customer service albatross those things are now so imho they can just fade without a swap. A swap is not a win."

Bar, I know you are a strong believer in ALPA (or maybe its more the "potential" of ALPA). I am curious what your honest feelings are regarding the national president's (Lee Moak) stance believing outsourcing of RJ's is good for Delta pilots?

I think if an educated person with decent reasoning skills is to size up this agreement they would conclude 10 out of 10 times that allowing the company a 3 year lookback with an additional year to come into compliance was horribly shortsighted.

Anybody hear any widebody rumors this week? Seems like a prime opportunity to catch AA flat footed...

Hindsight is 20/20. If was our first major JV and it was the best that could be negotiated at that time. That said, the MEC is watching this closely.

A shorter measurement period would be great and they have done that with the Virgin Australia deal. Yes? Many say renegotiate the NAJV today, but those same people would scream if the quid was not 100 cents on the dollar. As of today no violation has occurred.

One thing that many pilots fail to see with the AF JV is that with the addition of AZ and us getting a 50-50 split that we negotiated, we also got downside protection that was absent prior to this latest deal. That is your enforcement mechanism and if it goes out of compliance that language is going to be key. Don't forget that. I believe the most recent article that was sent to you in box details it quite well.

Jack,

That might be a bit unfair.

When AZ was added it was, and is, a growth opportunity for us. But we were constrained by capital and having airplanes in mod lines.

Lets see what happens in a couple of weeks. We are making good money. If Delta does not grow then we are leaving money on the table.

If out of compliance, what are the penalties/remedies?

Feelings are of no consequence. Capt. Moak's track record speaks for itself. We are paid near the top of our profession, we are recovering some flying which provides good jobs and the express carriers are taking pay cuts to secure Delta flying and an interview. It is what it is.

I expect Capt. Moak will be re elected by our BOD. Even if the express carriers tried to vote in a block to remove him I do not know who they would support. As for the Delta MEC he wins easily.

ALPA is the only logical choice for our profession.

Jack,
Not one year ago there was complete denial from across the MEC that we would ever find ourselves in a position where Delta doesn't meet the numbers agreed upon in the PWA.
Its one thing when the company ignores our contract. It's another when the association tasked with upholding our legal agreements denies that there is a problem.
The good news is that recently that view has changed and ironically the catalyst was the last JV update and the infamous "fair share" comment.
I have recently spoken to a number of our current reps and DALPA guys and I have noticed a distinct shift in the way the AFKLM/AZJV (NAJV) is being viewed.
Across the board there is a tacit agreemnet that the company will not meet the share of flying target what was agreed upon in the PWA.
Finally todays update spells it out: "we are convinced the Company is not on a trajectory to measure in-compliance."
It is a big deal to communicate this in writing to all pilots and marks a dramatic change in in our relationship with the company when it comes to the JV.
While I'm not happy that we won't meet the percentages agreed to in writing in a legally binding contract, I am relieved to at least see a recognition of a developing problem, and that's a very important first step.
Cheers
George

I love this comment....


What happens when a vote is required before anyone knows exactly what they vote for.

Perhaps Delta could offer the Administration a unique opportunity. Delta could provide free airline transportation for the entire White House Administration along with all members of the Senate and Congress that voted for ACA. Like all things free however, there is the caveat:

No one in the Administration, Senate or Congress can know prior to boarding, what destination they will be flown to or if there is any destination at all. In addition, the plane they board will do so without a pilot, being flown completely by automated systems.

Of course, it is quite possible that the plane would run out of fuel and crash, it could land in a desert or it could take them all to a wonderful vacation spot where everything is free. The deal though, is that they won’t know and once in the air, have no say so in what happens, you know, just like the US Taxpayer and ACA.

Seems ok to me.