Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Left seat of a little plane
Posts: 2,397
Fair question. The "typical" Delta pilot is someone who you can enjoy drinking a beer with on a layover, isn't uptight, may not agree with your opinion, but when disagreeing offers a reasonable counterpoint, then says "another round."
Usually the guy actually likes flying airplanes for a living and doesn't apologize for that (I swear sometimes the anti-establishment groupthink on some of these web boards seems to equate not working with virtue, but actually showing up for work with a good attitude as vice). However, he also has a life outside of airplanes as well. He doesn't spend a lot of time on web boards constantly equating the DAL pilot group to a bunch of "Stockholm Syndrome" zombies.
Usually the guy actually likes flying airplanes for a living and doesn't apologize for that (I swear sometimes the anti-establishment groupthink on some of these web boards seems to equate not working with virtue, but actually showing up for work with a good attitude as vice). However, he also has a life outside of airplanes as well. He doesn't spend a lot of time on web boards constantly equating the DAL pilot group to a bunch of "Stockholm Syndrome" zombies.
The fences were 20 years, not 18.
When the DAL/NWA merger occurred, the lifetime reinstatement rights fell by the wayside and when the 744 staffing was expanded and the 747 freighters were displaced, the green book guys moved into the whale in large numbers. In the top 1/3 of the whale captains there are only 12 red book guys remaining. In fact, if you trace the militancy of Carl back in time, you can find how unhinged he got right around the time the green book guys took over the top half of the whale captain category list.
The fences came down in 2006 and I didn't join APC until 2008. How could you have tracked my "militancy" before I got here?
Carl
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Posts: 463
Also, keep in mind, DAL has been throwing money at special projects the last several years post BK including airport facility improvements, aircraft refurb/lie flat seats, customer service training, etc. adding up to billions of dollars. As those projects wind down there will be even more money available to offset tax liab.
Now if Delta would "refurbish" it's pilots pay, giving a nod to the role pilots have played in the recovery and going forward....instead of stock buy backs and dividends, we might be getting somewhere.
Great article in Aviation Week awhile back concerning the new engine maintenance program that Airbus has been able to squeeze out of the engine supplier for the A 340-600. According to them, the cost for four engines has been brought in line with those of the twin engine wide body variety. If'n so...it could be a major factor in keeping the rumor alive.
This may be true but also remember DAL has greatly reduced and continues to reduce net debt and halved their interest payments while refinancing remaining debt at lower interest rates. This will greatly offset the tax liability as it comes due.
Also, keep in mind, DAL has been throwing money at special projects the last several years post BK including airport facility improvements, aircraft refurb/lie flat seats, customer service training, etc. adding up to billions of dollars. As those projects wind down there will be even more money available to offset tax liab.
Now if Delta would "refurbish" it's pilots pay, giving a nod to the role pilots have played in the recovery and going forward....instead of stock buy backs and dividends, we might be getting somewhere.
Also, keep in mind, DAL has been throwing money at special projects the last several years post BK including airport facility improvements, aircraft refurb/lie flat seats, customer service training, etc. adding up to billions of dollars. As those projects wind down there will be even more money available to offset tax liab.
Now if Delta would "refurbish" it's pilots pay, giving a nod to the role pilots have played in the recovery and going forward....instead of stock buy backs and dividends, we might be getting somewhere.
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Posts: 463
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 667
What...no scimitars? Come on guys, get with the program!
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