I am a skeptic but here is something from Mike Boyd that does have some factual stuff in it:


More Merger Reality:
Capacity Cuts: Mostly Registered, Already

Airline capacity in the first quarter of 2009 will be just a hair short of 10% down from 1Q 2008. Some media stories would have us believe that another 10% is on the way.

As of now, it doesn't appear so.

In particular, there's a lot of blatant misinformation regarding the effects of the Delta acquisition of Northwest. Like, that whole communities could lose air service, and there's going to be massive service reductions. The data do no support such Chicken Little conclusions.

We've compared the total capacity reductions at all six New Delta connecting hubs for 1Q 2009, compared to 1Q 2008. Then we compared 4Q 2008 to what's scheduled for 1Q 2009. The conclusions are clear: as it stands today, most of the capacity cuts have already been reflected in current schedules.

http://www.aviationplanning.com/images/DeltaHubs1.png
Clearly, even CVG appears to be stable as far as any further cuts are concerned. There will be some further shifts in inter-hub capacity in the 3Q of 2009 as Delta shifts fleets between its connecting hubs.

But Chicken Little reports of entire markets losing service - particularly smaller communities - as a result of the DL/Northwest merger - are not based on data. Nor, we should add, on any clear lines of communication with the carriers involved.

The capacty trend is industry wide, by the way. All indications are that the majority of capacity cuts are already registered. Depending on the depth of any economic-driven declines on demand, the total enplanement levels in the US should drop about 7.8% in 2009, and then begin a slow upturn.



Guess we'll see how it really turns out.

Thanks for posting that it's a good read. I am cautiously optimistic

Yet another Delta pilot who doesn't understand what the word "arbitration" means.

Carl

I believe the "Arbitration" was Pilgrim ship that was boarded and pillaged by pirates off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1823, after the attack it was lit on fire and set adrift for several months before sinking 30 miles east of Norfolk, VA.

The sailors from the ship, who were not killed, were put to work with the pirates and eventually worked out their differences.


How's that Carl did I hit the mark, or am I just another Delta pilot who doesn't know what Arbitration is?

There is no place to go look at the different proposed lists. They weren't supposed to be disseminated in the first place. The only copies are the ones getting emailed around. The problem is that the Delta list was passed around with sensitive personal information on it.

The exhibits we not required by Bloch to be shared. Only the transcripts.
I can tell you that DOH is the NWA list. If you want it I am sure someone can e-mail it to you.

Actually I thought is was off the coast of Norway... but you may be right.

We (Delta pilots) know exactly what it means. Seems that NWA folks use the same definition as the US East boys did. I really don't think that is a stretch, same lawyers, both wanting DOH. Although I guess DOH wans't applicable for the Republic merger. The NWA MEC will do what is the best for their pilots (DOH). The Delta MEC will do what is best for their pilots (maybe). What we have is two groups who will never agree on this issue.

Call it (arbitration) anything you want. Bottom line, someone else will be making the decision about our seniority list. What we think is completely irrelevant at this point. :)

The Delta pilots who say things like: "DOH means nothing", and "DOH will not happen here", and "Your NWA DOH means nothing in this merger" don't understand what arbitration means. The Delta pilots who say they hope it doesn't go DOH - do understand what it means.

I don't even know what this statement has to do with anything. Arbitration means that you and I aren't in charge. That's not my definition or US East's definition, it is THE definition. Thus pilots who proclaim what WILL happen, don't get it.

You mean other than the fact that NWA/Republic went straight Date of Hire?

That is absolutely correct. YOU understand.

Carl

I'd love to see APC put a moratorium on any posts about the Delta NWA SLI until after the SLI has been completed.