Airline Pilot Central Forums - Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?

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- - Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta? (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/delta/36912-any-latest-greatest-about-delta.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeF16 (Post 1784400)

I've got a question on how schedules are reasoned out. I'm looking at January 717A for NYC (I assume 717B will be fairly similar). There was only enough flying to build 6 lines, yet there are over 30 people sitting reserve. How will the company use that 80% of the pilots who are sitting reserve? It surely can't be to cover just those 6 guys who will get schedules can it?

I understand there is only so much flying for the new category, and if so how will the company use these reserves? Will they be DH'd to another base to fly elsewhere?

I admit this is a self-serving question. Even as a new hire I am in the top half of my category; however, since there is so little flying I'm sure to get a reserve line. Because I'm out of SAT, I can't sit long call from home since there too many instances where I'd probably not be able to get to NYC in <12 hours -- even with perfect weather -- and almost none where I'd have my "unable to commute" backup. I don't mind paying my dues, but it would seem kind of silly for me to sit in a crash pad for the entire month only to be DH'd out of base to go fly somewhere else :). Am I reading this correctly, or am I overlooking better options?

Thanks!

Every 'new' category is a mess, scheduling wise, until they get all the airplanes on line and all the pilots trained up. Many of those guys you see on reserve may not have even had their IOE yet, so they really aren't available to be used.

That's why every new category goes very junior in the first year or two. The 'senior guys' have seen this show before, and they are now just waiting until the category is fully staffed/trained, that's when they will bid into it and never have to sit reserve in NYC.

Soo...the short answer is; yes, you will be sitting in a crash pad in NYC with nothing to do for months. Find a hobby you can do in the crash pad. I did it in CVG when they first opened the MD88 category, I bought a guitar and took lessons at a local shop.

But look at the bright side, you could be flying your *** off in snow storms, to some really crappy layovers. Ask the MD88 guys how much fun that is! :eek: :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefoxsays (Post 1784399)

Yes, newer. I'll admit sometimes PBS has worked well, but line bidding is still better IMO.

With PBS, you really have no idea what you'll get.

And takes too long to post results.

You could always volunteer to help out the PBS Quality Control group, who has to check each and every run for contract compliance, for every category, in every base, multiple times per day.

After a few months of that, you will know why it takes so long. :rolleyes:

OR...we could do away with the PBS QC Comm, and let the company assign all the flying to everyone, with no regard to unstacking rules and make sure the bottom 50% of every category is flying on every weekend and holiday.

The runs will be out about one day faster that way...and you will -not- like the results! :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExAF (Post 1784460)

End of year financial planning. Since Jan 1 is a holiday, our final 2014 paycheck should be Dec 31 for the advance (Dec 1-15 flying) yes?

Yep, we always get paid on the last business day of the month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExAF (Post 1784460)

End of year financial planning. Since Jan 1 is a holiday, our final 2014 paycheck should be Dec 31 for the advance (Dec 1-15 flying) yes?

Yes -- but just to clarify, the EOM check is for half the reserve guarantee, regardless of how much flying you did 1-15 Dec.

how do you back door on the surface?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillbilly (Post 1784032)

Thanks Carl. So when we amended the JV agreement to add AZ and their applicable EASKs to the JV, what percentage of the EASKs under the JV were we actually doing at that time? Were we actually doing 50% at that time or were we doing some other amount and were planning to get to 50%?

We added Alitalia to the JV in July of 2010. Just prior to that date we Delta pilots were flying roughly 47.5% of the EASK's...down from the 51.5% that's was required by the JV prior to the addition of Alitalia.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillbilly (Post 1784032)

IOW, did we go backwards or have we stayed about the same and never gained what was promised? Either way we don't have what we contractually should.

We initially started flying about 50.5% of the EASK's...down about 1% of where we should have started. We then went steadily down from there to about 47.5% just prior to Alitalia's addition. After Alitalia, we instantly dropped to 46% because of the calculation of share. Since then, we've been hanging out right about the same plus about a percentage point.

Carl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justdoinmyjob (Post 1784223)

How long do you think Delta would keep pilots on the payroll flying unprofitable flights just to meet a manning formula?

This illustrates what is so surprising to me among this pilot group. You're a pilot for us (I presume), yet you scoff at our manning formula as a mere obstacle to profitability. Since you clearly believe what you write, I have to ask:

1. Why have a manning formula?
2. Why have a contract?
3. Why have a union?

They're all just obstacles to profitability...right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justdoinmyjob (Post 1784223)

How long did it take all the unprofitable flights Delta flew around under the "Carpet Bagger" to contribute to the bankruptcy?

We're making billions now. Delta could fly empty flights to Europe to make up the percentage shortfall and still make billions. Yet you're still defending the company's willful ignoring of our scope and insinuate it could lead to another bankruptcy if we don't self-waive our scope to maximize corporate profitability.

I just don't get it with you. I guess you think our contract is more of a series of goals.

Carl

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiznit (Post 1783451)

See above.

That still doesn't answer my question.

If the ONLY number that matters in that band is the 48.5%, and ALL the company ever has to do is touch that number ever so barely, then its really a permanent 48.5% as far as we have any claim to, right?

Could be worse. Could be working for this guy :mad:

INTERVIEW-American Airlines CEO discourages profit-sharing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GogglesPisano (Post 1784588)

Could be worse. Could be working for this guy :mad:

INTERVIEW-American Airlines CEO discourages profit-sharing.

Doggie was doing so well playing with the little people. Then his ego put both his feet in his mouth. His employees hate him. American and United will never be right until Parker and Smisek are shown the door. Their greed and stupidity know no bounds.