Originally Posted by Sink r8 (Post 1709146)

There are a lot of limitations with your ignore suggestion, 88 Driver, but it may be worth a shot.

Some posters have a template through which they try to force every current topic. There are two things or three things they say, over and over again. They view any and all conversation as an excuse to broadcast those things. Having exchanges with them is futile, because nothing you could possibly say will make them change their mind: their ONLY purpose here is to see their view prevail.

When they're hijacking a thread as completely as you and a few handful of others, then possibly the ignore function MIGHT work. It's not as good as, say, having you refrain from continuously preaching to the "idiots" that disagree with you, but since this is where you and some of the others have taken the L&G... why not try?

Originally Posted by Alan Shore (Post 1709203)

Go to the ALPA website and download the latest version of the Scheduling Reference Handbook. It provides good gouge on reserve, plus a whole host of other scheduling topics.

Originally Posted by Alan Shore (Post 1709197)

Got it. Here's how I meant it:

I do believe that our reps fully intend to ask for significant improvements to our compensation, far greater than were achieved in C2012. I believe they will succeed because the economy, Delta's profitability, and the industry are all significantly better than they were in 2012.

That said, I do not believe that our reps "phoned in" their negotiations for C2012, nor do I agree that our raises were tiny or paid for by onerous concessions. As I understand it, our raise was to the tune of $400M net per year over three years (or about 20%) and was mostly but not fully paid for by the RJ deal. While I am not a fan of allowing more 76-seat jets by any means, I believe that the hard overall caps on DCI that were part of that deal made the whole thing palatable.

Bottom line -- I believe that our reps did well in C2012 given the circumstances then and will do significantly better in C2015 due to significantly better circumstances today.

Originally Posted by RetiredFTS (Post 1709194)

I'm sitting reserves for the first time since NWA (2001) and looking for the best location to find PWA, LOAs and possible gouge related to reserves. Can someone post a link or give a vector. I did a quick search on DeltaNet and the SD memo popped to the top.

Originally Posted by Alan Shore (Post 1709203)

Go to the ALPA website and download the latest version of the Scheduling Reference Handbook. It provides good gouge on reserve, plus a whole host of other scheduling topics.

Originally Posted by Big E 757 (Post 1709241)

WRT the RFP and used wide bodies, what is the current rumor floating around? Is there still talk about the A340-600's? 773's from India? Or something better? I read an article around earnings time where I think Airbus told Skymark they needed to work with us more...I had no idea what it meant but it seemed like a significant statement in the context of the article. I don't even know what Skymark does.

I would love to see this upward movement continue...or even accelerate a little.

Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1709002)

Apple does not selling what is essentially a perishable commodity. Airlines do. It's possible in this industry to generate a very small revenue premium with a large network and superior service. Take a look at the 2013 airline data and you will see how narrow a range that is for the major US airlines.

Originally Posted by EdGrimley (Post 1709251)

A 2014 outlook might be a better benchmark to draw from...

Investment Flies High With Delta Airlines - Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) | Seeking Alpha

Delta has one of the lowest fuel prices in the industry. Owning a refinery and hedging should bring $350 million in fuel-cost saving for 2014.

The present macro environment is a high-flying time for the aviation industry. World passenger load factor (percentage of seats filled with passengers) is at historic high. In this climate, Delta Airlines (NYSE:DAL) has posted super-strong result better than the industry.

Savings coming from cost management and a stronger top line have granted Delta with free cash flow of more than $1.5 billion.

Going forward, Delta predicts that its operating margin will grow to about 15-17% in the third quarter on continued gains from its cost reduction measures and market growth.