Well. With MD's resume and time on the SPC, I had some hope for the testicular fortitude side of the equation. I guess time will tell as actions are stronger than words, memos, slogans.

I hope we don't have another one of these on our hands.



Sadly, there seem to be a few of these lingering in our representation structure. Some even post here. Imagine that.

BTW, the structure is fine, the lingerers are not. This is not a Donut endorsement.

 

There is however another major difference between AMR and Delta. AMR has for the last few years been doing a agressive fleet replacement strategy. That requires large amounts of capital. Delta has chosen to pay down debt and recycle old airframes. I think part of Delta managements decision making process in that regard is clouded by their huge push to raise the stock price. The large number of options senior management hold may have impacted that choice.
Time will tell who is right but if jet fuel spikes above 4 a gallon we will be in a difficult position relative to airlines that modernized their fleets.

 

Example? Weren't reserve pilots effected by FAR 117 made whole?

 

I am going to bet, imho btw, that we'd do alright in that situation. Not only because of Trainer but because if oil prices spike this weak economy is probably going to crash some more.

If that happens then demand may drop and prices may have to drop and UCAL and AMR will have to pay for those modernized fleets plus deal with their large 50-seat fleets with less revenue. We have a less expensive fleet to maintain on routes where revenue would take the largest hit.

I've heard it said on the missions they run the 88 fleet even with old engines is pretty cost efficient.

I also remember prior to 9/11 how CAL had this new fleet and all these newly leased airplanes while NWA and DAL had old fleets. 9/11 happens and Bethune hit the panic button real quick, if felt like they were operating with maxed out credit cards. It was not an enviable position.

I could be wrong.

 

Example: complete lack of leadership regarding SD's contract-altering memo.

How much negotiating capital was squandered and time wasted by dithering and accepting the company steamrolling our contract? Firm resolve and direction was what we needed. We got it...from management.

Doesn't bode well for C15. The company knows Dalpa will roll over when steamrolled.

 

Clearly you are not referring to the pilots who had the lost pay from their reserve PDs fully restored and any record of missed assignments expunged, so to whom are you referring?

 

You could be right also. The bad news is that management considers the MD88 a accumulator fleet. They can be parked quickly at little cost in a downturn. Airlines with newer fleets have to keep those aircraft flying to generate revenue for payments. A downturn could see Delta with a quicker capacity drop then others. That's never a good thing for pilots.

 

Steamrolled right into the best contract in the industry. Reminds me of a SLC 727 CA who used to love to tell new hires how badly Delta screwed him in the NE merger. This was after telling them about his 3 homes. One new SO replied, "man I sure hope I get screwed in the next merger as bad as you did".

 

You know that I am. Those pilots were held hostage (all RES pilots actually) until a time and place of the company's choosing where the company could get what they wanted in return. Surely you are not insinuating that strong union leadership and pilot unity prevented an absolute breech of our contract immediately?

 

I've heard that MD90/88s basically covers there operating expenses the first week of each month. Essentially the last 3 weeks of the month are more or less straight profit.

Contrast to 320/737 tend to only be profitable the week/week and a half. Mainly because of the high expense of financing associated with the fleets.

I believe if oil were to spike, trainer would starting bringing in higher returns. I don't really know all the numbers specifically, but I believe the facility was purchased directly for this reason. Offset bottom line losses when fuel spikes.


Personally, I tend to be more concerned with the student loan bubble.