I never thought of it in those terms ... excluding the long term leave, sickcall, etc.

Now that projected staffing looks interesting.

That it does. 98 more positions than bodies.

+1

You're silly to believe you'll never commute. The day the 756s get parked for good, see if anyone wants to bid down to the MD88 and DC9s that will still, inevitably, be here.

My thoughts on commuting; I have a family and luckily ATL is my wifes hometown with her friends and family here. To move to NYC, MEM, DTW, MSP where we have no family and friends (other than ACL in MSP) would not only be difficult but for me to then up and go off on a 4-day trip and leave them alone would be baaaad. So its easier for me to commute then to move and thats why I can sympathize with commuters from wherever they come from even though I don't currently commute. Big world. Lots of people, let them do what they want.

And everyone should commute just once just to find out what its like. It makes you a better airline pilot. Hate to say it. You learn what its like to be in the back with no air in the summer or having to endure the loud mouth who likes to hear himself talk on the PA even though its 5:58 in the AM. And commuters figure out how to interact with other employees because you never know when said employee will affect your next commute. Also, you learn what those engines sound like when you don't keep them under control. I used to commute in the RJ world and to hear the engines slammed from cruise to idle in the back would scare you to death so I made sure nobody did it in my cockpit. Its that kind of stuff you learn.

FtB;
Non-commuters should be nice to other employee groups too. It is their job to help give the arrogant pilots a good name too! It is amazing what a little decent interaction will do.

FTB,

This is a really good post. I know I will be on the road. It's inevitable, so I would rather my wife have the option to drive 2 minutes to her sisters house and hang out, then to leave her with no one while I drive to work.

Also, you're right about how being a commuter makes you more tuned to pax comfort. I know how annoying the out of sync drumming of JT8-D's can be. It's down right sickening for the poor folks back in row 22 and 23. I'm constantly tweaking the thrust levers syncing the engines so the poor souls in back don't jump out. Also, try a slllooooowwww reduction in power when we start the descent. Some guys like to trombone the thrust levers so fast to idle the poor peeps in the back probably soil themselves. Then they just roll that vertical speed wheel right to a 2000 fpm descent and send the OJ and soft drinks to the ceiling. :p It can be a little annoying.

And don't even get me started on the tour guide PA's at o dark thirty!:mad:

I think you make a really good point. I would add that you also appreciate a crew that keeps you informed when you're running late. I always find it annoying when I commute to be sitting for an extended period of time and not get a word from the crew about why. I certainly can appreciate how valuable the time of the customer is.

Completely agree, however I think as a pilot group we have been too willing to assist management in their plans. There needs to be more of a balence, management is always going to do what they need to; we as a union need to do the same. Everyone wants the company to be successful...however there needs to be a balence. Sorry but I believe the concerns for commuting policy and the FA's is a red herring.

Forgot to bid:

I'm not picking a bone with you ... but, you don't have to be a commuter to realize those things. And if you truly believe you have to be a commuter to realize those things, then your customer service and pilot skills suck.

All of us have flown as passengers and understand this industry and what it is like to be a passenger more than anyone else. I don't need to be a commuter in order to be more in tune with whats going on in the back.

My .02 cents.

An ounce of sugar is worth a....

Thanks for the info on employee discounts.

I can tell you that there is a precedent here at DAL in that they give most if not all of the stuff away in a me too. I am sure the FA's would balk at this one. Our history does show legal prescient. (yep it sucks)

Our flow back agreements now include the FA's. Me 2.