Ok, if you say so on the 100,000 hour thing. I have no way to verify that.

Based on what I've been able to gather:

Pros:
Our upside is we ensure we are included in growth. Virgin can grow a little bit before we have to, but they already have that and wouldn't have to grow us at all.

I like the idea of a Global Production Balance. I don't really care so much about protecting a specific market as I do about putting a floor on how low they can shrink us without shrinking somebody else. I would like to see the floor be higher, but I'd also like a 50% raise! :D We don't currently have a global floor, so your drumbeat about losing 100,000 hours (if that number is right) is IMO apples to oranges...

Maybe I've got it wrong, but you seem to be comparing current international flying hours (which do not have a contractual floor) to a downturn scenario floor. To me it's better to have some floor than none - even if we do want that floor to be higher.

Cons:
You keep mentioning 1.E.3 which it does appear would be traded to achieve the global floor and LHR slot protections. I'm just spit balling, but the strong likelihood (and the entire reason they want the JV to begin with) is that they are not planning to reduce US-LHR flying. If/when there is a downturn, then I see where we are exposing a little of the downside that they could reduce us faster (to a point) than the Virgin side. That would suck if it happens to be sure.


My take:
I'm not advocating for or against this thing as I haven't been able to hear all the discussion of the fine details, nor have I seen any language other than what you posted. I really like the idea of forcing us to participate in growth - the global balance allows that to be WB hours anywhere which might come into play in slot-controlled LHR. The LHR flight requirement soaks up a lot of the current LHR flying protected by 1.E.3, and breaks it out so other UK flying (MAN, LGW, etc) brings us even closer to where we're at with 1.E.3 for US-UK. I do look forward to seeing more details/numbers/explanation.

As to your allegation that C44 or the admin is withholding the data, I've had interactions with several of my reps and they've been very forthcoming about their concerns and impressions about the TA. Any question I've asked of them have received a fairly prompt reply. In an ideal world, we'd all get to be part of every decision, but I expect and appreciate that my reps are doing the due diligence on my behalf.

I disagree with your assertion that they're trying to sneak one by the pilot group, but that's a whole different topic and I don't want to derail the TA conversation.

Well I share your sentiments about commuting. I've enjoyed driving to base for the last 3 years...even if it was in horrendous NYC traffic. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to live in base again in the future. My wife received a job offer we couldn't refuse. Because of her we should be able to retire early and buy a castle:)

Very good post. I redacted the BH since that appears to be very incorrect.

Those who want to see the data that Carl alleges is being withheld can sign on to the ALPA.org site, go to the MEC Library page. The Briefings for Codeshare Committee and "DAL International Capacity" slides have been up for a day and two days, respectively.

Disagree. Everybody should commute, especially if you are DTW based. Green Slips aren't worth the trouble and driving to work costs gas money and you can barely get any sleep. Let Delta foot your commuting bill. :D

In regards to the possibility of a 100,000 block hour reduction - how many international block hours do we currently fly? Is this number inclusive of narrow body short haul type flying to LA and the Caribbean?

This is from the language that Carl posted:


Note: For purposes of Section 1 R., “international twin aisle ASKs” means:

a. for the Company, all scheduled flying in international operations on twin aisle aircraft except any domestically configured and equipped 767-300, and

b. for VS, all scheduled

It's a moak point, the VA TA passed, anonymously...

We gotta pass it to find out what's in it.

"Flexibility is the key to Air Power!"

Now...Bend OVER! :eek:

Hey Timbo, I noticed something maybe you can verify it. If I remember correctly, Finis retired before the announcement of the 55 point retirement, but his name shows up on it.

Now that's cool.

Obtw, whale season opens January 1.