Originally Posted by scambo1 (Post 1059499)

Shiz;

I like your input. You are often direct and correct.

However, we are limited on our comments to 750 characters. The instructions in the survey says to judiciously use absolutely critical. Overall, the survey gets a B+, but the criticisms are so far fair and correct IMO.

I does appear that the survey has some carefully crafted language that omits important factors and/or manages expectations. It may be a case of "how do we ask this question best?"

If we were growing organically, there would likely be less criticism, but we are not. I haven't budged in what I can bid/hold in years, with at least several more years ahead where that continues to be the case. Love is lost.

I am not interested in getting into the "what this profession has historically paid" discussion, but I grow weary of the bankruptcy standard we have accepted for far too long.

DAL employs argueably the best pilot group available. Our negotiators know this. That is all the leverage we should need.

Originally Posted by daldude (Post 1059593)

LTS and MIL leaves are actually fairly consistent year in and year out so those numbers are already figured into the list. And regrettably if 1 747 guy retires Delta has typically just been doing away with the position by saying we were overmanned in that position already so there has been actually relatively little upward movement in the list. Just look at the last bid... a few capt's moved to other capt positions but as a whole there was very little upward movement and I think only 3 of 7000 FO's received a capt's position.

I don't have the exact numbers but I do know that the vast majority of NW captains that said they would retire early directly following the merger have not done so. I think that given the stock market, loss of retirement and such we will see very few early retirements as a whole. There will always be a few that go early and I do not discount that. But, it is to easy to stay and pad your savings.

Ultimately, only time will tell what will happen but if Delta continues on it's current course and company model, I believe the company is unconcerned about the retirements because they do not intend to replace all of them on a 1 for 1 basis maybe a 1 for 3 or something. I truly hope I am wrong, but I suspect I am not.

I just think that people counting on progression over the next half decade are not being realistic in their expectations. I could see moving up 1000 numbers and still having the exact same number of guys behind you that you have today.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot (Post 1059623)

I can tell you that DAL is concerned about the retirements and more importantly about where they are going to find a similarly qualified candidate to backfill the position.

Originally Posted by johnso29 (Post 1059563)

That's 737 Age 65 retirements in the next 4 years. That doesn't include early retirements, LTS, military leave, etc. We have guys leaving prior to 60 years old. Had insurance been provided in a early out package I guarantee there would have been more early outs this last time around. Now look at 2017-2033. That's massive. You can't really hire as people retire, you need to hire in anticipation of them retiring so that the training center doesn't bottleneck and the operation doesn't suffer.

Look at AA. They are very close to hiring off the street, but now they have had to delay recall classes because they had 111 guys retire in one day. All on September 1st. So now there training is overloaded and they have to delay recall classes.

Originally Posted by scambo1 (Post 1059611)

Smarta$$!

I gots me sum planz:D

Originally Posted by Schwanker (Post 1059633)

I think we'll see the military leave list shrink over the next few years. There will be lots of long term mil leave guys returning to the line. Budget cuts are slowing down the use of ANG/Reserve.

Originally Posted by acl65pilot (Post 1059623)

I can tell you that DAL is concerned about the retirements and more importantly about where they are going to find a similarly qualified candidate to backfill the position.

Originally Posted by Superdad (Post 1059664)

My thoughts on reserve pilots as dictated to ALPA in the survey. Feel free to cut and paste:

With regard to reserve pilots, there is no need for a reserve pilot to be on call 18 days a month when the company is very good at ensuring that he will only fly 70 hrs. Reserves should get the same credit for a trip flown that the line holder would get. I would like to see a system where by a reserve pilot is guaranteed, or at least given the option, to have long call on his first day of reserve after an X day. Reserve pilots in an international category should be given double credit for each 24 hr short call assignment. This rule should apply especially in bases where there is very little international flying, such as MSP 7ER. Reserve pilots should get a higher guarantee, at least 75 hrs.