Satch;
I agree. I study the way SC is assigned by base and seat. (I know why? but I do) I can generally see a pattern on Mon-Tues, then Wed-Friday, Sat and Sun.I suspect it is because of who does it. They are also done at different times of the day.

We all know this is legal per the PWA, but I do agree there needs to be a better more logical and consistent way.

Most of us don't care what the rules are, just make some rules and follow them. I'm considering taking the pay cut just to get out of this reserve system. ER reserve used to be ok, all international and nothing less than 3 day trips. Now it's heinous. It would be fine if one lives in base but to commute is painful.

Before Big Spiny Fruit guy and Really Nice Exotic Sports Car guy jump all over me, I know reserve shouldn't be commutable. Maybe not, but it shouldn't be a crap shoot.

Yep. I resemble that remark. Highest raw and just got SC again tomorrow. Don't mind so much because I can drive in. But there is really no ryhme or reason. In fact, a few weeks ago I got short call the day before a golden day, expiring at 10 PM. Called at 8 for my two hour release and they said no. They couldn't have used me at that point but they "had nobody else."

CAL-UAL merger
 

I wonder how a CAL-UAL merger could affect Delta. I would assume it is good news as some capacity is bound to reduce as is the case in any merger. Hopefully they will axe regionals just like we did. However, the alliance (UAL+CAL) will have a strong hold on the NE coast with IAD and EWR. On the other hand, are they not a little too close...EWR and IAD?

Also, UAL (with CAL) might catch substantial market share in Tokyo with JAL pulling out of many long-haul markets. It looks like UAL/CAL is at the right place at the right time with their alliance with ANA. JAL just announced pullback from several US routes including our KIX-HNL route....which could help us out as we operate that sector already.

Anyone care to speculate?

Actually, if you read the remarks about JAL from their CEO, he is refusing to pull down more market share. He has stated that the government needs to get out of trying to run JAL. Not so good for DAL, but good for JAL.

With the tie up, you can see that their stocks are jumping and will try to level out once the stock swap ratio is determined. Ours is flat. I suspect that CLE is gone, there is a lot over North Atlantic Overlap out of NYC and IAD. Most of it will stay but some will not. It will not be a no job loss merger on the front end like ours was. That is fo so.

In the short term it will be good for DAL. They get to deal with all of the curd our leaders (both DALPA and the Company) effectively cut off at the knees and made this merger work. They are making money. CAL is in section six. They are going to want a lot more than pragmatic gains, all groups not just the pilots. That will either take a nice pocket book for the sake of expediency, or it will get drawn out. In that time, we have a chance to gain market share as we are streamlined.

Once they get all of that figured out they and rationalize their route structure they will be a fierce competitor. (Side note, it will force AMR to find a bride) All of this will make four really strong competitors in the US market(LUV who will merge with AAI and AS) The capacity will get compacted as demand grows and the margins will increase.

Of course this will be all for nothing if they allow low cost entrants back in to start the cycle over yet again.

Just a little snap shot of what I see going forward.

Now that right there is some funny stuff.

I was wondering why you think this will not be a no job loss merger. CAL and UAL are running about as lean as any airline can.

I don't think he is speaking from a purely pilot standpoint. JMO.

There is a little bit of overlap, and or close proximity to bases in NYC, DC, and CLE, ORD. Like our CVG base economies of scale will take place.

Also, given LaHood's desire to give LUV "fair" access to the NYC slots it deems it needs a merger is a great place to even those out.

The benefit that could work to your advantage is that CAL has strong scope. Keep that and you will be hiring like crazy after SKW gets dumped in DEN.

We should argue that SWA needs to be allowed into EWR. LGA is full and they already have islip.