Dear diary.....

"Waiter! I need a martini for me and a roofy-colada for my friend here..."

Who is she and what does she have to do with Alabama?:confused:

Who is she?

She is Katherine McPhee. And she has nothing to do with Alabama, obviously. Too much of a typical Auburn look to her. Anyways...

http://www.yenra.com/music/katharine-mcphee.jpg

She was on American Idol a few years ago, and American Idol was on last night. And that reminded me of how an Alabama blogger would post her pictures three years ago to make him feel better after all of Alabama's losses. You love Alabama. So this perfect storm of American Idol and your love for Alabama gave me an opportunity to post a picture that would make everyone just a little bit happier while at the same time, poking at Alabama. :cool:

-FTB :D

Is it just me but are the waits for scheduling unacceptably long? Here it is 0630 and on hold listening to elevator music for 20+ minutes. Every time I call it is minimum 10 minute hold. I hate to say this but other than irops never had to wait this long at Nwa. Are that understaffed due to the merger or has it always been like this?

I've never waited more than 5-10 minutes, but I haven't also called lately. 0700 though is that first PCS run and probably preping everything for today and tomorrow.

How long did it take you in the end?

Of course, I do call 1.404.88G.O1ST or 1.404.88G.ONOW. :D

Anyways, 40-60% chance for rain from Friday-Tuesday in the A-T-L. Yall hold on, you need a G-Slip, they'll have one for you I'm sure. I think holiday G-slips ought to be 2X pay even for reserves. Why answer if its straight pay? Just saying, scold me later, but I'm just saying if you have a holiday off then why give it up for two-day thats deadhead on the first to one leg back?

Morningstar is initiating credit coverage of Delta Air Lines DAL with an issuer rating of B.

The rating reflects Delta's improved position in the industry resulting from its late 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines, along with ongoing high leverage and the difficult nature of the industry. The merger with Northwest appears to be moving along nicely, as the company reported synergies achieved of $1 billion and a target of $2 billion by 2012. The merger cemented Delta as the world's largest airline and helped strengthen its presence in most geographic markets. However, Delta is still subject to the forces of the industry, and it generated very weak results in 2008-09 as a result of rising fuel costs and the global recession.

In September 2009, Delta entered into a series of secured financings to generate $2.1 billion and repay an existing credit facility. As of the first quarter of 2010, Delta had unrestricted cash of $4.9 billion and $700 million available on its credit facilities, representing good liquidity. The facilities mature through 2014 and are subject to significant covenants. Total debt maturities are: 2010, $1.7 billion; 2011, $2.6 billion; 2012, $3.4 billion; 2013, $1.4 billion; and 2014, $2.9 billion.

Delta has indicated a desire to repay most of its debt due through 2012 primarily through free cash flow generation. Our forecast isn't as robust as this, as we would expect the firm must use either cash or refinancings to meet these maturities. Nonetheless, rent-adjusted total debt/2009 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and rent was 11 times, and we forecast this falling to 5.8 in 2010. Delta's $9 billion underfunded pension plan represents another drag on cash flows.

The airline industry continues to be beset with challenges, which we reflect in our poor Business Risk rating. The Iceland volcano, for example, cost the European airlines more than $1 billion, while terrorism always looms as a threat. Oil prices are volatile and difficult to manage. Barriers to entry are limited, thereby making pricing power difficult to sustain. However, with United Airlines UAUA looking to merge with Continental CAL, consolidation could offer some hope for more sustainable profitability. Mergers take out capacity and competition, which should translate into better pricing power. However, these benefits tend to be competed away over time, as this is a commodity product and low-cost carriers such as Southwest LUV step in to take advantage of opportunities. Delta has competitive advantages on the revenue side from its size and route network, but it will also need to manage costs to stay ahead of the curve. While the near-term outlook appears to be improving and could get even rosier with another big merger, the long-term picture remains as challenging as ever.

I agree the hold-times are unacceptably long. I never waited this long before the merger (I'm a former DAL-S guy) so I'm betting it's the increased call volume coupled with all the administrative position reductions. They tried to get them to do more with less, but it's not happening. I wonder if there's a system for keeping track of hold-times. Should we just start doing COR's everytime we give up and hang up after 10+ minutes on hold?

I just got that "climbing the rope in gym class" feeling!!!

Now...Imagine spring weather and her wearing next to nothing, and I will say to you...Welcome to Auburn!!!

Only if I get my 72 virgins.

Carl

Waiting for my virgins

Carl