V1

V1 and a half

V1 and three quarters

V1 and seven eighths
















VR

 

Oh I would too. I just meant that on most of their exclusive routes our marketing likely wouldn't ever add capacity on top of them because unless one of us blinked and cancelled their service, yields would be trashed. Ergo if we didn't CS with AS (mostly Horizon) then many of those markets just wouldn't be in our network unless we got really agressive, which we have shown little to no sign of doing with few rare exceptions. The majority of the AS CS is just yield preserving capacity gifting to a competitor in a relentless persuit of YoY/QoQ numbers.

I'm sure you were making a point about some internal mentalities about being "above" certain kinds of flying (particularly seat ranges) and to that extent I would agree with you; flying is flying and I'm in favor of working to get more DL flying done by DL seniority list pilots.

 

One would think that would severely help UAL's case to get their own slot(s). Maybe we think this will add pressure for the massive HND transfer we're seeking (but won't even come remotely close to achieving IMHO) but I'm not sure this is the right timing. Gifting capacity to UAL to preserve yields while they are still far behind us in merger synergies is not a positive omen IMO. The entire industry, especially LCC's and the ponzi scheme global dual subsidized fantasy order book megalomanic airlines looks at us as the capacity accumulator. Announcing to UAL and AA that we will do the same for them seems to be a pretty ominous canary in the coal mine unless I'm missing something.

 

I hear what you're saying and to an extent I agree conceptually. Of course there's very little ALPA can do to force the company into buying new planes and shredding labor law and EEOC rules.

If an EK FA eats hundreds of lbs of sugar a year and goes double or more the weight standards and then tries to sue (and get a size 40 red dress) because its a "disability" well we all know what would happen. Just getting US legacy FA's to wear hats would prompt cries to the high heavens, and there's nothing, absolutely nothing, that can or will be done WRT height:weight or any other physical attribute beyond what little (if any?) standards that may (or may not) exist in the FARs. If ALPA even tried to change that in the slightest, the entire MCF would evaporate defending against junk lawsuits and defensive PR campaigns that we'd lose anyway.

ALPA is trying to fight (or at least raise awareness?) about the insane practice of US government subsidies for the BA/IAM cartel/lobby but it looks like nothing is going to be done.

That said, if we gutted our work rules to match their gutter level regional 90+ hours 10-12 days off nonsense, I'm sure we could find the money for some improved IFE. Get the government to print some more funny money to pay US airlines the subsidy equivalent ImEx money, and we could improve our product that much more.

 

V1 is for quitters.

 

Can you say "Load Optimized"? Happy non revving everyone!

 

I agree, and don't forget about AGE. I did fly with the Number 1 F/A a while back, MSP-NRT he's about 88 or 89 (by now) and still flying. Even the other F/A's said they hate flying with him because he's just in their way, and they are one short, since he can't really do the job!

BUT...it's not ALPA's job to fight for F/A appearance standards. Perhaps under the banner of "Safety" but that's about it. It IS the Company's responsibility to make sure their F/A's can do the job they are there for, ie. evacuate an airplane in a timely manner.

The FAA and DOT could help, all they need to do is implement some type of physical performance test into their F/A recurrent training, like pulling a 200lb. dummy out the over-wing exit, then jumping into the pool and then climbing into a life raft, and then pulling that 200lb. dummy into the raft.

Most of our International F/A's are well into their 60's, 70's and 80's, many are obese. There is no way they would be able to evacuate an airplane after a hard landing on land, let alone in the water.

Just think how many more passengers (and F/A's!) would have died in that Asiana SFO crash, if they had our International F/S's??

 

Flew with a Senior FA who had a voucher from none other than Charles Lindbergh who offered to buy her a new hat when he sat on and smooshed her's while on a Pan Am route expansion project.

 

Good luck getting the company to do anything regarding inflight. They are their own company. They have their own budget, give out cash rewards to their own employees, get free uniforms, get paid for 'special assignments' like going to a baseball game... get holiday pay, holding pay, and overtime PPY4 or PPY6 (that's 4 to 6 hours on top of regular pay, for one or two day trips) is offered in most bases to straight pick up trips. 10 hour turns mean it's the best and highest paying part time job there is. There are FA's I know personally who take 6 months of leave, still earn full vacation for the year, then call in sick for all the summer trips. No carpet dance, phone calls or doctors notes required. Don't even get me started on the Breast Cancer Mafia... sorry if you survived any other type of cancer... no tie (or plane ride) for you!

You think Ron Allen retired? He tried to clean house at Inflight, and was never seen nor heard from again! Rumor has it they cooked him up in a nice gumbo in the FA lounge in MSY.

 

Best comment on Flyer Talk about Delta's EFB announcement:

"Delta's going paperless? Hopefully not in the lavs."