From Aviation Week, "Who Owns Slots?", May 10th.

In essence:

• As we know, on May 4th the FAA asserted that US Airways and Delta overstated the swap's public benefits and did not show that their alternative would create adequate fare-lowering competition at the airports, at which US Airways and Delta would become dominate carriers.
• Delta and US Airways within hours: "We intend to appeal this ruling."
• One potential argument may be Delta, US Airways, Continental and United was the FAA's conditions violate the U.S. Constitutions Fifth Amendment protection against the government taking private property (slots) without "just compensation." The conditions (you must sell slots to airlines with less than 5% market share at LGA/DCA, slots unsold after 60 days go back to the FAA).
• The FAA recieved backing of US DOJ and in an unusual move, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood co-signed the final order along with FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. Perhaps to bolster the legal argument that some of the FAA's authority to consider comeptition in its ruling flows from the authority granted to the secretary.
• FAA: we're not "taking" slots away. Slots are an operating privelege, and previous court decisions back that up. We're regulating the ability of the petitioning carrier to transger slot interests in a manner that results in unreasonable industry concentration.,
• DAL/UAL/LCC/CAL: U.S. law only gives the FAA the authority to promote the safe and efficient use of airspace, not to assess and address impacts on competition.
• FAA: Regulations require the applicants to address why their request "would be in the public interest, that is, how it would benefit the public as a whole."

What's really annoying is that Delta did provide this information. Didn't somebody post a link to all the letters that were submitted backing up this slot swap? 95% of the letters were supporting the transaction. What other dang evidence do they need?

It's not the evidence that matters, it's the outcome.

And until SWA has 34 new slots out of LGA and DCA at a fraction of the real value, then all the evidence, law and precedents are not worth anything. The only issue the DOT expected complete capitulation out of these two beleaguered airlines and I bet they still expect us to give in
without going to court. Problem for the DOT is they are underestimating LCC and DALs ability to continue running on crutches.

The issue now will be that DAL/NWA, LCC, and CAL/UAL want slot ownership settled in court once and for all. No more auctioning of owned slots for any reason. It's a he'll of a fight that needs to be won for everyones sake but the airline who time and time again thought they could prosper without serving NYC and DCs real airports.

So it looks like the crew from 188 was fired and DALPA may not have been overly helpful to them.

Interesting thread was started on the ALPA board and then removed after someone who "talked" to the crew involved shed a bad light on ALPA.

Am I the only one growing concerned with ALPA as our union?

Caddis;

Have you heard anything official? I haven't.

He LIVES!!! :p


JK. ;)

No I have not heard anything official, but that is part of the problem, we have heard nothing at all from the union.

One of the things I find concerning about the union is the lack of communication compared to what we on the north were used to. One example of a similar situation was the Airbus crew that landed at the AF base in SD versus Rapid City. The union came out with information after it happened as well as some, for lack of a better term, status updates. The did nothing that interfered with the investigation but they did do a good job keeping us informed.

My lack of communication complaints are not just in regards to this incident. I feel that the MEC does a poor job of getting information out to the masses. We just had LOA 22 approved yet what communication have we received? Why can't we get daily updates during the MEC meetings?

Honestly why should I have to come to APC to find out what is going on at my airline?

Now here is my disclaimer. I think the merger has been a good thing and we will be a better airline and stronger pilot group in the long run. SLI, phases 1-6, AWABs, bases moving, and all the other merger stuff was a pain in the @$$ but I it is behind us. So no I am not a bitter fNWA guy, I am DAL pilot concerned about our union

Where the "F" have you been? We missed you.

Me?

Hey Johnson you may soon like me even more...I am thinking of leaving the bus so you can move up a number!


ok I know you mean ACL, I was just trying to "feel the love"

Your statement that DALPA may not have been overly helpful to them could not be further from the truth. Can you give even a hint of what you based it on? Call and talk to your reps about the situation. You might form a different and educated opinion. DALPA or ALPA don't deal with these types of situation in public and especially in this case its not the place.