It is looking like the new rules will increase manning on the international flights. There is some concern the company could try and fly all 4 day trips to Europe but that would be fought contractually. More then likely however the company would not go that route because it would allow more two man flying but would have very narrow duty margins and they would have a lot more cancellations.

After finishing the document this morning, I tend to agree with you. They will be able to reset your base with a 36 hr layo or 72 hrs intra theater if those so choose, but the margins for delay out of Europe will be razor thin. Add a delay in the US and a Euro Control delay for NAT spacing and the flights would not go. I think this is why they layered the new rigs in 117.

The Dinner and a movie turns may be gone, but overall domestic manning will go way up. Reserves needed will go up, overall block time for pilots will go down. It will most certainly be harder to pick up a WS or GS with the max duty rolling windows, and that all equates to more bodies in each seat to cover the block hrs.

Of course there is always a chance that these rules will be tweaked in the final ruling, and we will end up with something less restrictive. The opposite may happen too.

I see more efficient use of pilot duty hrs with the hard and fast rolling limits on duty. Less three hr sits and more flying while on duty. We may sit more at hotels, but that is ok. It will allow us the ability to work and work efficiently.

I would like them to define ULH and 12+ hr flying in this new FAR (117) and not some other document.

I figured some may actually go pull the TFA and read it. It was all defined in there when we agreed to the PWA. After all we agreed to the JPWA and the TFA many moons ago. It was determined that the 755 would convert to the 7ER after SOC. It did.

I am sure the company would love to just convert all of the domestic guys to the 7ER on their timetable without a rebid. It is cheaper and they could slowly trickle them though training and TOE. The PWA sets forth the procedures and bidding requirements to reduce flying and close flying in any category. Ergo, the reason we have to have a surplus and entitlement bid on every seat that transitions to the 7ER from the 767. The same would hold true if they ever combined the 765 to the 7ER unless there was a LOA signed.

If we signed a LOA half of the group would scream bloody murder that it was a concession. So see the fact that there are two rocks and the MEC is stuck between them with this issue.

Of course we have no choice.

AE closing extended
 

I think two weeks should be the norm. What's the rush closing it in one week when they have 210 days to train and convert?

It is a one week extension. There were no changes to it so it does not need the 10 day min.

Delta to Grow on High Travel Demand

By: Zacks Equity Research
September 15, 2010 | Comments: 0
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Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL - Analyst Report), the world’s largest airline, expects third quarter unit revenue to rise on recovering travel demand. The demand for air travel has been growing more than expected so far in September.

The economic downturn in 2009 and the oil price hike in 2008 had affected the airline industry during the past two years. Now, with an economic resurgence, demand for air travel is increasing from last year’s depressed levels.

For the third quarter of 2010, Delta’s passenger revenue per available seat mile is expected to increase 15% compared with a decline of 18% in the year-ago quarter. Load factor (the percentage of seats filled) is expected to remain consistent with the year-earlier quarter at 86%. The company currently expects Cargo and other revenue to be in the range of $1.1–$1.2 billion.

Delta expects its third quarter operating margin to be 12%–13%, which is higher than its previous expectation of 10%–12%. However, the consolidated cost per available seat mile (capacity) growth outlook remains unchanged from the company’s previously announced expectation.

On the other hand, Delta expects to end the third quarter with $5.6 billion of unrestricted liquidity, which is lower than its previous guidance. This cutback can be credited to the successful execution of $750 million in debt reduction initiatives.

The current third quarter Zacks Consensus Estimate for Delta is 89 cents per share compared with 6 cents in the year-ago quarter. The company expects to announce its third quarter earnings on October 18.

We believe the successful integration of the Northwest merger, investments in new products and network, competitive cost structure and an effort to strengthen the balance sheet will help Delta Air Lines to take advantage of the economic recovery. However, unionized labor, rising fuel price, debt loaded balance sheet and the company’s continued investment in technology make us cautious on the stock. Moreover, the company does not pay any dividend on its stock.

We are currently maintaining our Neutral recommendation with the short-term Zacks #4 (Sell) Rank.

Anyone else having trouble getting on Deltanet right now? 9:30am ET

Yea it's down. I got a alternate page with a link to i-crew.

Maybe the AE/MD combined with PBS bid run crashed the system......:eek: