Originally Posted by georgetg

I have two high hopes for C2012:
That those who were hit hardest by the events of the last 10 years be made substantially whole.
That we grow as an airline by minimizing as much as feasible flying performed on behalf of Delta by non-Delta pilots.

Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

Where is Glen Hauenstein?

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

It's an average of 13.464 years for all of the international fleet and here is the break out of the individual fleet from the April 1, 2011 count:

747-400 . Fleet Total: 16 . Average Age 17.6
757-200 . Fleet Total: 33 . Average Age 14.1
767-300ER . Fleet Total: 58 . Average Age 15.3
767-400ER . Fleet Total: 21 . Average Age 10.3
777-200 . Fleet Total: 8 . Average Age 11.5
777-200LR . Fleet Total: 10 . Average Age 2.3
A330-200 . Fleet Total: 11 . Average Age 6.3
A330-300 . Fleet Total: 12 . Average Age 5.9
Total 169

Originally Posted by DAL4EVER

Finance is trying to hold the line with cost containment. The downside in their eyes to the international expansion the past few years is that it costs a lot more to maintain than the domestic operation. As a result, I would not be surprised to see a lot more international cuts this fall. As we abandon these cities we will leave UAL/CAL with exclusivity in these markets. They will get increased corporate accounts because of this.

Glen wants to dominate the world and if we don't let him, I would be worrying about his exit. The fight will be whether we follow the current US corporate mantra of controlling costs for short term gains or looking at long term success that is achieved through a higher cost structure in the near term.

Originally Posted by Pineapple Guy

Carl, I acknowledge - that was a bad use of words. What I meant to say was one was at the helm right up until the time DAL entered bankruptcy; then a different MEC Chairman was elected. How those two approached the job is a function of the circumstances each found themselves in.

The entire Delta pilot group had rose colored glasses on right up until the time bankruptcy was declared. The pension was heading down the toilet for several years while thousands left yet nothing was done. We kept getting contractually negotiated pay raises, while the corporation was losing billions. Disabled pilots have their disability payments for life, and even got their benefit plussed up when the pension terminated.

Bankruptcy was a bucket of ice water thrown in our faces, and in my opinion, the true wake up call. The new MEC and MEC Admin made the most of it, despite the horrible circumstances. Labor definitely loses, and loses big in every bankruptcy, but to somehow lay the blame on where we are at the feet of the union, is also to deny that 9/11 is the real reason.

Originally Posted by johnso29

$2 billion?!? Wow! Talk about management EPIC FAIL.

Originally Posted by Pineapple Guy

I absolutely agree that outsourcing was one of the major factors contributing to DAL's bankruptcy, but perhaps not for the financial reason you mention. I suspect it likely saved DAL dollars, by paying employees, contractors, and everyone else involved peanuts.

But as my Daddy always said, "you get what you pay for".

When DAL started (and continues to this day) to label and sell the inferior product that every small jet operator provides as a DAL product, they cashed in on the DAL reputation that took a generation to build. That method worked..... until it didn't.

And now, the reverse is true. Delta has a horrible reputation among the flying public. Customer complaints are rampant. On a personal note, the vast majority of complaints I hear from friends, neighbors, or even strangers, when they complain about their last trip on "Delta", I come to find out they never actually flew on Delta. If we don't fix THAT problem, and I see no indication management has any intentions of it, you and I are liable to wind up back in BK.

Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

Hearing RUMORS that a change in negotiating committee being voted on next facilitating a 100 seat scope sale. Have not received verification yet.


Factors which make this appear plausible:

• ALPA will not commit to holding the line on scope
• Delta's upcoming airplane order will serve as a distraction
• United's management put a "99" seat jet demand on the table
• Republic ordered airplanes it has no apparent need for
• Pinnacle and Republic and Frontier have been playing musical managers and bungee bosses
• Delta has so long delayed fleet replacement that capital expense requirements may result in crisis bargaining

Originally Posted by LeineLodge

What determines whether a contract change must be put out for MEMRAT? Is it possible that this could be LOA'd into effect (not that I think any rep I've heard speak is dumb enough to do that) or would a large item such as this need to be voted on by the pilot group?

Originally Posted by johnso29

Why do they need to be rescued? They seem to be doing fine to me.