Hawaii: IMHO it is not short sighted. They had already taken codeshare (which is a virtual merger) as far as they could and not wanted to take the next step of putting NWA's larger jets on Delta routes that could better support them and Delta's 767's and 757's into routes that would fit an airplane that size. Part of the reason this merger has gone so easy (compared to others) is that it was started a decade ago with Delta and Northwest's code. Alaska and Hawaiian concievably could be part of the mix later on (if they follow the same model DAL/NWA has).

I'm hearing they have the A320 / MD88 part of the puzzle mostly figured out with the A320's coming south and the MD88's going into DTW & MSP where they can go anywhere domestically. Those trips could be built without base changes.

The 757's, 767's and A330's schedule is tougher because high block legs and rest requirements. They will have to shift bases or have a lot of DH to hotel rooms, which costs money and is unpopular. I don't think that part of the puzzle has been figured out yet.

I'm more concerned about a seniority inversion. You and I don't have a choice about where the airplanes go, but we will have some decisions to make about how we bid.

Have also heard they're thinking of putting the DC9s that aren't retired into ATL to pick up those short haul routes and free up the Mad Dog for longer routes.

Until SOC, think the plan is to keep the pilot bases as is and DH them to their aircraft thereby negating commuter stress potential.

Lets all simmer down here. Here is what I've heard from both the rumor mill and the CPO. Even though NWA has 90+ DC-9's they are only manned for about 75 with 20 A/C spares. So when they park to about 65 planes "only" 10 crews will be displaced. Also, the Anchorage cargo operation is going away. Then the union reps are putting out that when NWA comes to DAL contract work rules then we are 400 pilots short. Also, supposedly the senior folks at NWA are being offered a buyout. Not sure how many will take it. Finally, to throw some gas on the fire, credible sources say eventual re-opening of the Boston and Seattle pilot bases. We need to just hold on. If oil can drop to $90-$95 per barrel, then the projected profits and synergies will be great and we should see legit profit sharing and hopefully more back in the next contract. Right now both sides just need to concentrate on their jobs and working towards the efficiencies that we can control ie fuel usage and flight time. That will equate to a higher share price which means more $$ for our merger stock. Now that the approx share disbursement numbers are out a $10. share price means over 30 grand for even the most junior man. Good luck to all

Bigflya: I hear you. Many folks on this board are reserves with nothing better to do. Like me.

I agree with you on the seniority inversion. They should delay any equipment/base moves until at least after SOC. DH time and hotels rooms may be unpopular but much less unpopular than the choice to commute, move, or 6 weeks of the speedline. My main point is these guys need to be focused on much more than the bottom line. This is a hugely disruptive event and happy employees are a big part of a successful airline. They should be looking for ways to minimize change initially not add to it.

As some have said, and I will reiterate. The movement of airframes has nothing to do with your life and the quality of it. It has to do with eking the last dollar out of each hull. If it makes even a few bucks more an hr on another route out of another hub it will do so. Rest assured that changes will be coming, and we all know we hate changes, but they are inevitable.
I will go where I need to go with the job. It sucks to move but I have already done it twice. Once for a base closure and once to simply not have to commute. It is not fun, but the fact is that it is part of life.
Take the waves as they come, we really have no other choice.
Looking at the bright side of things. At least we have not announced furloughs. We are fat by about 400 pilots for the winter but short in the summer. Go figure. So how they will have to even that out. Time will tell.

I got better things to do, but this is more interesting that doing laundry or cutting grass.

I am sure that there will be some consideration given to it, but our Leaders want to reap the operational gains asap. To do that there will have to be some pain.
I think that many people perceive that there will be lots of movement going on. Fact is that the only reason that they feel this way is because of the unknown.

Bucking Bar. We have the staffing formulas, but all of the proposed route changes need to be kept in shrink wrap until the DOJ gives its blessing, and then we get to see all of the changes. Until then there will be a information blackout of sorts. Things can be spoken but not officially written. It will effect the junior seat holders the most, as it always does. If they tell me that I have to go somewhere else, it is what it is. The only thing that stinks is that they will not buy our houses out from underneath us. Now that is a perk that I would love to have.

Trying to eke every dollar out of every airplane is what I hope they can see past. That money can quickly be eaten up by training costs and intangibles like unhappy employees (no not just pilots). Unlike you, who are probably fairly new, most employees are established with families and the last thing they are going to do is move or commute. After 4 years of commuter hell I promised myself never again.

It's my opinion that the company would be better off staying staus quo on bases/equipment, push for fences to minimize training events, and build bid packages to fly whatever to where ever during a transition period. They hate credit time here but it can be the least bad option. They've been in an all out rush to do everything here and the network guys are chomping at the bit and spring-loaded to move into action. Often times it's much better to just wind the clock and let things unfold.

Agree. I understand the being established part. I have all of that and then some, but the fact is that it is totally out of my control. I do not worry about it. It makes like a lot easier. Maybe a forced move will be a good thing. You never know.
I agree that a lot can be done with some DH's and longer trips. It is what I prefer. It makes commuting a lot easier. If I could do one 12 day or two six days a month that would be great!