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

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Quote:

Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy (Post 768556)

Actually, I think all of those items have had some effect, but I think the main reason why the big airlines are shrinking has more to do with productivity, profitability, and competition.

Let's look at Southwest (I can hear everyone sighing). They mainly fly point-to-point, no big congested hubs, its simple and easy. They do not service small or mostly regional sized airports. They only fly to roughly 60 high-density high-frequency airports. Therefore, they fly routes that are going to fill their aircraft (remember point-to-point) and turn a profit.

At the same time, the bigger carriers have expanded service to bring airline service to smaller airports in the US by the use of big hubs. They fly people 2-3 legs to get them where they are going. Southwest typically does not; 1 leg.

The result is, Southwest flies less and uses less gas to get people to where they need to go -- all be it, to a limited number of airports. But that is what makes them successful.

These routes were once the bread and butter for the large carriers. But the discount carriers have taken a significant portion of the market share from the large carriers. So the result is that the big carriers are shrinking and the lines are blurred between large carriers and major carriers such as Southwest ... who moves more domestic passengers.

Ok, let's not put SWA on a pedestal here. They are doing less & less point to point flying every year, & quickly moving to a hub and spoke system. MDW, BWI, PHX, & DEN are quickly becoming hubs for SWA. Also, they haven't exactly been following their required mx schedules so I'd say that's been contributing to their profit. Who knows how long they've been doing that. Also, I'm pretty certain bankruptcy & outsourcing to RJ's had a LOT more to do with this overall shrinkage in work force then SWA did.

SWA has had a successful business for a long time, but they're far from perfect. People have unpleasant experiences on SWA all the time. Their used to be a reality show about SWA. People often got left behind due to oversold flights, WX, MX delays, & not being able to take pets on board.(This has changed)

SWA is much closer to a Legacy then most think, & their luck will run out. That doesn't mean they won't be successful, but they will encounter moderate turbulence along the way.

My overall point is that SWA has had very little to do with the overall workforce reduction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBoy (Post 768427)

I remember when I got my first phone and I couldn't believe I was going to pay $40/mo for cell phone service. I went to get a new phone the other day, mine is over 5 years old, and the only phones I can get without data packages are small piece of crap flip phones. So I checked out the fancy new stuff and was floored at what people pay to have these phones! Basically if I want a new nice phone for myself and my wife I have to pay for a data package and the cheapest I can get my bill is going to be $70 + $10 + $30 + $30 + taxes. So I'm looking at over $160/mo for cell phone service. That doesn't include texting which would run the bill up to over $180 and it's only 700 minutes shared. I know it's cool to have the new "apps", but I'm thinking of joining up with the minimalists and ditching the cell phone altogether. I think we still have an option in e-crew for a pager #, maybe I'll go that route. :)

Take a look at the new Sprint, anytime, any mobile. I just switch over to that and it includes, unlimited data, unlimited text, unlimited ANY cell phone to cell phone call, and 1500 minutes anytime (bascially landlines) and then unlimited nights and weekends all for $129 per month for two phones, plus, atleast when I worked at Delta, there was a 20% discount for employees. Not too bad if you make mostly cell to cell calls. Good luck with your decision.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnso29 (Post 768602)

FTB,

Maybe you missed an update on iTunes? I've had my iPhone for 15 months, & it has always opened PDF files on it's own using Adobe. It's wierd why yours doesn't. Missing an update is the only thing I can think of.

It does open PDFs but I wanted a way to go and download a PDF and save it from a website to view later. I know I can leave it in an email but I wanted more of real storage place for those "is that legal?" or "what does the book say ?" moments.

SWA experienced explosive growth over the last 10 years while the majors were limping along trying to get their costs in order. Their explosive growth is tapering off. They're getting more and more bean counters which ultimately will change their business (we all know how that turns out :cool:).

With Delta getting its costs in order and being at the bottom of a shrinking period we have much more potential for growth here at Delta. We are at a low point in network size where SWA has peaked in their growth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbtownley (Post 768619)

I'm stuck with Verizon or AT&T due to rural coverage issues at my house. I have a tough time justifying $80/mo for cell phones let alone something more than double. The thing that upsets me is that I see these cell phone companies attempting to force all customers into paying for a data package with texting to increase revenue. The number of phones you can get from Verizon that don't require a data plan are getting very small and in my opinion they are intentionaly selling poor quality phones so you'll go for one with a data package.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbtownley (Post 768619)

Take a look at the new Sprint, anytime, any mobile. I just switch over to that and it includes, unlimited data, unlimited text, unlimited ANY cell phone to cell phone call, and 1500 minutes anytime (bascially landlines) and then unlimited nights and weekends all for $129 per month for two phones, plus, atleast when I worked at Delta, there was a 20% discount for employees. Not too bad if you make mostly cell to cell calls. Good luck with your decision.

21% discount ;) I had a CAL discount (20%) from before and just found out that the DAL discount is 1% more and being the typical cheapo pilot i immediately called them for my 1% ;)

Changing the subject a little:

I am a reserve guy this month and got called out two days ago to cover a Pinnacle cancelled flight (Big Surprise!!!). While sitting in the airplane, 20 prior to departure, we get a call from scheduling saying that our flight had cancelled and to go home.

Question: I was told by scheduling I get "Suit-up Pay". I found it in the contract but don't understand the language.

I was a short call guy at the time of the assignment. Does anybody here know if that 2 hours of "Suit-up Pay" goes above guarantee or if I only got credit towards my 70 hr monthly guarantee? I pulled up my "Time Card" in I-Crew but couldn't figure it out.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by volav8r1 (Post 768668)

i'm pretty sure it just goes to your normal reserve guarantee credit. 2 of the 4 times i've been called this month were to cover cancelled pinchanickle flights.:cool:

Suit up pay will credit you two hours of flight pay for the trouble of going to the airport and not flying the trip. That is all.

thanks guys. that was my suspicion. I got confused when the scheduler told me it was worth 2 hours of "Pay". Oh well, I just need Pinnacle to cancel another 30 or so flights this month and I may actually break gurantee. Sadly I think this is possible!