I am of the mind that the 76 seat flying can be performed at mainline with our rates. The economics are there. The question is does the majority of pilot here at DAL support it?

I believe that many do.

If anything happens with CPS it will be to remove them from our MEC. I had a rep last week tell me that having CPS on our MEC was a, "very big problem". That is why I asked how it would effect our chances of getting CPS integrated into mainline if they get kicked off our MEC. I know there are some good guys running who think CPS on the MEC isn't a problem, but it appears to me that the current administration is going to take care of that before the new guys are in next March.

It is unlikely that DAL would pull out the first class seats on the 76 seat jets if they were operated at mainline. With the wholly owned companies it's almost like they are operating the jets at mainline without the associated costs. Structurally, XJ and especially CZ, are minimum cost companies already being operated under the hood of the mainline. The difference is cheaper labor costs, and we have seen the flexibility with the WO contracts. That savings more than makes up the the decrease in revenues from the other seats. The problem is with the contract carriers.

And the question will be asked "what are we willing to give up contractually to get this flying at mainline............"

I believe all 76 seat jet flying can be and should be done at mainline with DAL rates. There are way too many senior pilots at XJ, Comair, ASA and other DCI carriers flying for DAL. Neither NWA or DAL has succeeded in reducing this top heavy situation. All they succeeded in doing was to get rid of junior to mid junior level pilots who went somewhere else during the bankruptcy. So now they are stuck with 200 plus senior pilots at the top 30% making 3 times or more than the rest of the bottom 70%.

The work rules at XJ is already very close to DAL work rules. The payrate is substantially less for the junior pilots. The senior people are making well over $120,000 a year. The real question is whether the the economics can justify DAL management to decide to do it. If it has to start, it needs to start with DAL owned regionals first. But let's face it, the DAL management are the ones in the control.

A lot of the issues as I have been told deal with the representation issues of the MEC representing them and us. Two contracts and two differing agendas.

This can be easily fixed by assigning them seniority numbers (with the companies approval) and integrating their contract in to ours. It is possible. They could operate the CPS flying on a separate certificate, but it would be done by DAL pilots.
Some do not like this, and state that there would be too much negotiation capital given up to do this. IMO it is a better place to start that multiple flow agreements.
There are also a few issue on the Policy Manual, but we can fix them if we so desire.

I agree that this will probably be moot by next month. Another opportunity squandered. There are a lot of ideas out there, and we should listen to them.
It may be in the grand plan to separate them with their own MEC so that they the CPS pilots have a dedicated voice in the matter as well. There are also some dangers in doing this. As the CPS pilots know there are a few there with their own agenda, and once separate, they are free to go after us, more flying etc.

That is the problem. We have accepted that fact. IMO we have given and given and given. I think it is time that the other side gives a little.

ACL What's the deal with the JFK terminal situation?

[quote=acl65pilot;675662]Exactly, but as stated in the election info, about 25% of e-mails are returned. Many people do not keep their e-mail up-to-date with the union. That is why we see week old information in our V-files.quote]

If the union quit duplicating effort and went to email only, I bet people would keep their email address updated. If they can get in an a v-file there is no incentive to update.

ooh ooh ooh let me answer this one! :D

It's a rat trap, and not likely to change until the 797 is built and actually flies.