On a completely unrelated topic, hopefully less controversial.

I'm an ex-military guy, but I've got a friend coming over for July 4th with two high schoolers interested in our profession. For the young civilian guys out there: what's the best route now a days, assuming money is no object?

Much appreciated.

 

I'm a commuter and am proud to say I've made it to my long call assigned trip during an ice storm where all flights out of my local airport to ATL were canceled. In fact, pilots living in ATL were calling in unable to make it to their trip because of ice in their driveway that day. Enough with the integrity questions.

 

You mean don't lie to the employer who said- this the last job you'll ever have? Or you'll be a captain in 5 years. Or we don't want you to worry about anything other than flying jets so we'll take care of your retirement and medical costs. Or we are all in this together. Or you be there for the company and the company will be there for you. Or this company cares about you and your family, this is what makes us unique. Etc, etc, etc...

 

IS the company changing all fleets ACARS out and in times? They better!! Doesnt seem right that the 737 guys get their clock started sooner.

Also, just read the DPA online brochure comparing ALPA and DPA. The last line of comparison shows that ALPA presidents get a mandatory Oil painting done of themselves. DPA says that a digital picture should do!!!

 

See there is a disconnect here that our leadership never talks about. The CP's know commuting is a fact of life but marketing runs this airline and they are not going to add one seat for Commuters. It is about money and commuters currently do not bring any in.

At world, they pay about 165 bucks a month for their confirmed seats. I think that could be an idea we use as a starting point. DAL needs it's employees to get to work and we want to get to work. There is a middle ground and we need to demend we find it. More of us are becoming commuters. Some say it is a choice but when your qol is much better in a DTW or NYC seat over a MSP or ATL, due to the s seniority to hold the given seat, one is forced with a commute to prove the best they can for their family.

I will be forced in to a commute in a few years and stressing about getting to work is not fun. Been there done that, move and now suffer the ill effects of choosing to live in base over commuting. Some times commuting is the best option for a family. That is reality.

 

Something else to think about regarding this discussion: The policy is the commuter is to call in if they do not make it on their first flight so they can get the js or positive space on the next flight. Well, consider the situation before and after the new policy for a pilot who does not make it on the primary flight into work:

BEFORE: Pilot has his/her back up flight, sees there are a decent amount of seats on it since he checked it the day prior and makes it in to base as planned; no problems.

AFTER: Pilot has his/her back up flight, again, sees there are a decent amount of seats, but because of the new policy can foresee the scenario where he may possibly not get on the flight. Thus, pilot considers the conversation with the chief pilot when asked, "Why didn't you call in for positive space if you had any doubt?" So, as a result more pilots will call in for PS than you would otherwise have due to the new policy.

Of course, this is not applicable to each situation, but it does reflect a certain percentage of those who use the policy.

 

Oh come on Beer! We're worth every nickel....and that's what it usually amounts to, about a nickel.

 

Living in base, assuming money is no object.

 

Touche'

 

Some move - and some say, "I'm happy here and need to stay here, so I'm going to take my talents and salary over to Company B which in this city and get hired on there, with no loss in pay/benefits."

Doesn't work to well in the airline business. A guy who's been at Delta/United/American isn't going to do that and realistically, it would be stupid to give up pay/benefits because of that.

Also, does Delta help pay for selling a house and the loss in home value like other companies it's size? No. A friend of mine moved last year - had to come to the table with $30,000 because of the loss in home value. (this is in DTW area). Realistically, not many people have $30K laying around these days - I put my extra cash in retirement accounts.