I agree. I think is was very important to honor the commitment we made to the Compass pilots, especially considering that they would take the hit if Delta furloughed (hopefully not anytime soon.)

I am very happy to see that the 76-seat jet restrictions stayed in place and were not negotiated. I also was happy to see some very important protections for spelled out for any possible flow-downs.

I am not as well versed in Mesaba flow-through language. I also am curious where the 108 number came from. Obviously most of the Compass and Mesaba 108 pilots will be pleased with the outcome, however I am curious what #109 thinks of the agreements.

All in all I think our negotiating committee handled this well. I too cannot wait to welcome aboard the Compass and Mesaba pilots when they get the number they were promised.

 

How a Boeing pilot views an Airbus:

 

Anyone else heard that we're keeping one DC-9-30 on property as a spare for several weeks? Rumor that it's ship 9946. I think we were flying 5 until this weekend - so the 4 flying to Sanford for their death would mean there's 1 still out there tonight.

 

I assume the 108 number came from nine (9) a month for 12 months equating to 108. So one twelve month cycle of full hiring.

 

Nosmo, Simply Priceless.

 

Even the very senior check airman i've flown with couldn't tell me where the flying is coming from. FWIW, with the whole system eventually MD90 qualified, They can pull down MSPM88 overnight just as "slowly" as they're building it right now.

I think a good barometer is December, when new hires start to hit the line, and it is also the end of last AE's conversion window. If the reserve coverage situation doesn't improve, i'm outta here!

 

Things aren't getting any better for me on the 320. I was hoping I could find a line somewhere. NYC here I come?

 

I've noticed lately that the 744 has become Delta's flagship aircraft in it's marketing products (the new commercials, print ads, etc.). I find this ironic because pre-merger, all we (PMDAL) heard was that the 744s were gone very shortly. Perhaps that was true when oil was artificially high.

Now we're hearing rumors that DAL is putting more 744s on the line. So it seems DAL has warmed up to the value of the 744.

Question:

Do you see a future 747 aircraft coming to DAL in the future? How long do you see the 744s lasting at DAL?

I'd love to hear some opinions from those who are good at "connecting the dots."

V/r;

Fatty

 

I have heard that the passengers in Asia prefer "bigger 4 engined planes", but at the same time Eva, Korean, Cathay, JAL, and ANA are all going for more 773s instead. I have also been reading on the Dalpa.net that we may NOT be getting those 10 JAL 744s, even though they will be available thanks to the JAL BK. I don't know what to believe. I think we will keep those 744s that we do have for the forseable future, since we have decided to refurbish them with new seats and PTVs. Does anyone have any good rumors about more 744s? That would be wrong to not go for cheap ones left by JAL. And, what will Boeing do for our delayed 787s? Will they compensate us?

 

How does the fuel burn compare on the 747-800? Just wondering.