Wuzzo

OK, folks, I apologize if this isn't the right place, but it seems close. My topic searches only came up with a couple "Why DAL vs. XXXX airlines?" threads. If it's been beat to hell in another topic, feel free to say "shut the hell up, #2, and click here: "www.threadthatwuzzoshouldbeabletofindifheweren'ts uchalousygoogle-fu-guru.com"

A few questions for those who fly for/have flown for DAL, and particularly those who had other offers:

Why did you chose Delta?

Now that you've flown with them for a year or thirty, did those reasons pan out, and would you do the same again?

Hypothetically, say you had offers from DAL and other airlines/cargo lines, what would be the pros and cons to your consideration of DAL?

Thanks a ton,
Wuzzo

Denny Crane

First, did you get a greenslip? Second, was your last trip of the month a carryover trip from one month to the next?

If you got a green slip then the trip should be pay/no credit but you still should get paid for the hours and a call would definitely be in order. A greenslip will have the actual pay in the pay column and nothing in the credit column. If you are on reserve this is what you will see along with getting your reserve days back. If you are a regular line holder with a GS, then you will see the above along with the same amount listed lower on the time card. (As long as you have met the GS trigger for the double pay.)

If your last trip of the month was a carryover trip, the pay column on the time card will list what the whole trip is worth and the credit column will list what you get in the current month and you will get credit for the other hours in the next month when you actually do the flying. Example, I have a carry over trip from July to August. My pay time column show 16:45 but my credit column shows 6:36. I will get paid the 6:36 in July and the rest in August with "Trans" in the August pay time column and 10:09 in the credit column.

Hope this helps,

Denny

PilotFrog

So I was told the other day that my green slip did not go in and a junior person got the GS because I changed my GS too close to the evening run and was put at the bottom of the list because of the change. Is this correct? I don't know why my timing should be taken into account over my senority. Any contract reference? Thanks. I changed my GS at like 2000 and the GS was given out at 2100. Thanks.

Denny Crane

I've been here almost 22 years and, for the most part, have really enjoyed myself. It's an absolutely outstanding bunch of guys and gals to be associated with. Working with people you enjoy being with makes the job, any job, soooooo much more fun both in the air and on the ground.

Looking back over the last 20 years I all I can say is "I'd rather be lucky than good" and that has been what's happened for me. Sure there are times when I go "you've got to be kidding me" but for the most part I've been VERY happy with being at Delta especially with how the airline industry has developed over the last decade. I don't like adversarial relationships and, for the most part, the pilots and management get along fairly well. That's a good thing in my book as long as it's not carried too far. (And that's a fine line!!)

I didn't have a choice of which job to take. Delta was my first interview and they gave me the green light 3 days after I got home from the interview. I was in class with them before I even heard back from other airlines to come and interview. I'm a Pacific Northwest boy and, at that time, probably would have gone with United or Northwest if given the option. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't have the option!!

Pro's, good working relationship with management, a plethora of pilot bases that are located all over the country, domestic and international flying, great fellow pilots to work with, and you can fly almost any plane there is now!!! Also the upcoming amount of retirements starting in a few years. (Huge!)

Cons, compared to other airlines, I can't think of too many!!! It's a huge airline and change comes slowly. Others can chime in here.

The above, of course, is all my opinion! YMMV

Denny

DAL 88 Driver

Hey Wuzzo,

This is just one person's perspective, but I hope it helps.

I've been with Delta for a little over 12 years. Checked out as Captain 3 1/2 years ago on the MD-88 and recently switched over to the DC-9 to improve my commute situation. About 9 years to Captain at a legacy airline is probably quite a bit better than most can expect. At Delta, there are a lot of guys who stay as First Officers rather than fly the MD-88 or DC-9, which allows guys like me to fly Captain sooner.

Delta is my third airline. I've been flying for the airlines for a little over 20 years. I chose Delta mainly because, at the time, they still had the reputation of being an airline that cares about its employees. And, no, in reality that hasn't panned out so well.

Knowing what I know today... if I could go back in time 20 years, I would have made it my mission in life to work for SWA. I have no aspirations to fly international. Domestic short to medium haul stuff fits me perfectly. And SWA seems to be the only airline that hasn't lost total sight of the concept of taking good care of its employees as an important business philosophy.

Now, if you desire to do international flying, SWA would not be the best choice for you. Of all the legacy carriers, I would have to say that Delta is still the best choice. Kind of a "pretty pup in an ugly litter" thing. It's a long way from perfect, but it's probably better than 99% of the other airlines you could work for.

Hopefully, we'll see some major changes in our union leadership and get a focus on restoring our compensation to appropriate levels instead of the defeatist attitude we have going right now. If we are able to do that with our 2012 contract, Delta could once again be an excellent place to be.

I guess to sum it up... There is some good potential with going to work for Delta. Like just about everything in the airline industry, it's a roll of the dice.

Anyway, just my "2 cents". Hope it helps. If you end up coming here, I'll look forward to possibly flying with you someday! We do have a really good pilot group.

Denny Crane

That's correct. If you change a GS, WS etc. you go to the bottom of the group until the next PCS run. If you can, the best way to avoid this is to change your slip just prior to a PCS run so you can avoid this as much as possible. I don't know the contract reference or if there even is one but it's been done this way for a long time.

Denny

alfaromeo

For the life of me, I can't remember a year when we DIDN'T have a fare sale in July for the fall. After summer before the holidays, nobody wants to fly that much. Dangle out a quick fare sale with a quick expiration and people will bite. It is as simple as that.

acl65pilot

If the PCS run has started (ie you post changes after 0700,1200, and 1800) it goes to the bottom until the next run.

acl65pilot

That may be true, but for the life of me I always though they started a few weeks later.

alfaromeo

I chose Delta because of the culture. At the time, they were also the leader in compensation and benefits.

I would come here again for the culture. Managements come and managements go, but the people here are the airline. I have come to expect very little from management and then I am never disappointed. I still get immense pleasure from helping my co-workers and getting help from them. Last week, I gave up my deadhead seat to get a non-rev on the flight. Two days ago, a Delta pilot takes the jumpseat for an international flight. Guess whose daughter was then the last non-rev to make it on the flight. Karma.

I have cleaned airplanes, thrown bags, helped mechanics in whatever way I could, stood up for gate agents when passengers were being rude to them. I have had many kindnesses in return from these same groups of people. I treasure that relationship.

The industry has become tougher and meaner in the last 10 years and pilots have pretty much been on the poop end of that stick. I would not want to be at any other airline now. I hear Southwest has the same culture, but I have never been there, I am not trying to knock them.

So, I would do it again, even if I knew the outcome. I like my job and I love the people I work with.