Yeah, the temp position deal did not survive the merger...we only get them until the mythical bid period 5 happens. It's a real shame too, it was a great way to check out another base before bidding to it permanently, not to mention a great deal for a commuter at any time.

I Agree. Most pilots who have been around DAL for a while say that DAL hires for the winter flying schedule and is happier giving out green slips over the summer as it is ultimately cheaper then having more pilots on staff. Domestically, our narrow bodies are full. Looking at non-rev posibiliteis intly, many planes are pretty wide open except if your going to Istanbul or Tel Aviv and maybe a few others I did not look at. Also, the Bus class cabins are wide open which is our profit on those long hauls. Finally, our manning is more like an inverse triangle right now with more WB pilots and less NB pilots. That really needs to flip-flop, especially with the previously announced September cut in intl flying. Look for another MD in the fall when they figure out the numbers and manning, unfortunately. Maybe enough guys will take the early out to avoid too big a disruption. Also, it would be smart to do before SOC as all heck would break lose with guys trying to game the VD system to move bases, better paying planes, QOL etc.

Yes. I missed the part about a reserve pilot temping up to blockholder. The thing about that is you kind of lose your seniority. No matter what your seniority is, as a temp, you bid behind all the blockholders.

Speaking of good deals going away........second hand info from a guy who flew with the 757 fleet capt, guess we are going to keep the split between domestic and international on the 757. Won't be much of a choice for me, but it was nice having the flexability to pickup a quick domestic trip if I needed to.

Ferd

Well if your not senior enough to hold a regular block then bidding at the bottom as a temp block isn't really losing any bidding power because you can't hold a regular block anyway. So it's a good deal if you want off of reserve but can't hold a regular block. Also if senior guys to you in other bases can't get temp block in your base ahead of you if it's not their base. Meaning you get first chance at temp positions in your base before more senior "outsiders" get a shot ;)

The board has approved up to 35 MD's. We have five out in VCV, three from SAS and two from Hello. A third from Hello should show up this fall. The birds from China need to have a deal approved by their government. When that happens we will see em.

IMHO if they MD again, it means there will be a further capacity pullback.....

Yes, I agree, for the most part it make no difference. But, sometimes the senior reserve guys can hold block, but want to stay reserve. This is especially true on the widebodies and in HNL, when we had a base there. But, it's all going away with the "New" Delta way.

Speaking of the "New" Delta, how is it going with the new procedures? Did you do it the new way in training? Have you gotten used to doing EVERYTHING? I don't know if I will be able to just sit there and let the other guy/gal do everything.

New K Now

Hey Knew, don't sit there. Go do the walk around, greet the pax, and then come up run the Before Start Checklist. Most the CA's I fly with are mingling around while we board.

Are there rumblings of further pullbacks? Seems like things aren't too bad right now. I guess we will have to wait to see if the fall pullbacks are enough.