Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?
12-28-2011 | 02:23 PM
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From: Boeing Hearing and Ergonomics Lab Rat, Night Shift
I know everyone read the NYC & ATL updates, here is the MSP news letter:
LGA Slot Swap
By now we are sure you are aware of the announced approval of the LGA slot swap with US Airways.
The announced ratio of mainline vs. regional flying is extremely disappointing to every Delta pilot, including your reps. Your reps refuse to defend or explain the Company’s actions regarding the business plan for LGA. We will say the following:
· No negotiations took place with ALPA for approval of the slot swap.
· No changes to the PWA occurred to permit the slot swap.
· The Company is in compliance of the PWA with the growth at LGA.
· The initial slot allocation at LGA was heavily weighted to regional flying.
Management informed ALPA that there would be a larger percentage of mainline flying than what actually resulted. Management was even informing the pilots through road shows and information to the chief pilots that the ratio would be greater. Mainline may still be affected as the flying of the current 70- and 76-seat aircraft should be reallocated. ALPA is waiting to see if any of this flying is allocated to mainline aircraft.
Your reps understand the value of Delta positioning itself as the largest carrier in the world’s largest market. What we don’t understand is the marketing plan. Mr. Anderson was known during his Northwest tenure to protect the airline’s hubs with a fortress-like tenacity. We do not understand a “metered” approach with the introduction of flying in our own hub. It has been explained that Delta felt it to be difficult to compete with AMR and United as they will protect their hubs. As AMR is in bankruptcy, why don’t we take the fight to them? Anyone who has played a sport knows you must score to win. Defense is important, but if you never score a great defense will only result in a tie! ALPA and the pilots of Delta did their part and continue to wait for their share of the flying.
· Management “asked” ALPA and the pilots of Delta to help with the approval.
· ALPA and the Delta pilots supported and assisted in gaining the approval.
· The Delta pilots must be repaid for their assistance.
Your reps were further amazed by management’s complete lack of awareness as to how the pilot group would receive the announcement. We agree that the expansion will be good for Delta, but there is a history of many things that have been good for the airline but was in no way a benefit to its pilots. With Section 6 right around the corner, why would management completely disregard the expectations of its pilots? All that management has accomplished is to motivate the pilot group to work alone in getting a better contract. Management must understand that the pilots will not forget what we have brought, and continue to bring, to Delta and that these actions must be rewarded!
LGA Slot Swap
By now we are sure you are aware of the announced approval of the LGA slot swap with US Airways.
The announced ratio of mainline vs. regional flying is extremely disappointing to every Delta pilot, including your reps. Your reps refuse to defend or explain the Company’s actions regarding the business plan for LGA. We will say the following:
· No negotiations took place with ALPA for approval of the slot swap.
· No changes to the PWA occurred to permit the slot swap.
· The Company is in compliance of the PWA with the growth at LGA.
· The initial slot allocation at LGA was heavily weighted to regional flying.
Management informed ALPA that there would be a larger percentage of mainline flying than what actually resulted. Management was even informing the pilots through road shows and information to the chief pilots that the ratio would be greater. Mainline may still be affected as the flying of the current 70- and 76-seat aircraft should be reallocated. ALPA is waiting to see if any of this flying is allocated to mainline aircraft.
Your reps understand the value of Delta positioning itself as the largest carrier in the world’s largest market. What we don’t understand is the marketing plan. Mr. Anderson was known during his Northwest tenure to protect the airline’s hubs with a fortress-like tenacity. We do not understand a “metered” approach with the introduction of flying in our own hub. It has been explained that Delta felt it to be difficult to compete with AMR and United as they will protect their hubs. As AMR is in bankruptcy, why don’t we take the fight to them? Anyone who has played a sport knows you must score to win. Defense is important, but if you never score a great defense will only result in a tie! ALPA and the pilots of Delta did their part and continue to wait for their share of the flying.
· Management “asked” ALPA and the pilots of Delta to help with the approval.
· ALPA and the Delta pilots supported and assisted in gaining the approval.
· The Delta pilots must be repaid for their assistance.
Your reps were further amazed by management’s complete lack of awareness as to how the pilot group would receive the announcement. We agree that the expansion will be good for Delta, but there is a history of many things that have been good for the airline but was in no way a benefit to its pilots. With Section 6 right around the corner, why would management completely disregard the expectations of its pilots? All that management has accomplished is to motivate the pilot group to work alone in getting a better contract. Management must understand that the pilots will not forget what we have brought, and continue to bring, to Delta and that these actions must be rewarded!
At the very least I feel like the MSP reps are on the same page...
bold is my like!
Cheers
George
12-28-2011 | 02:27 PM
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From: Boeing Hearing and Ergonomics Lab Rat, Night Shift
Nice!
Any idea on the cost (CASM, 500-1000-1500nm trip costs, block hour costs, etc)?
If 50 seaters are so insanely uneconomical, I can't immagine 70 seaters or 90 seaters with 76 seats installed can be that much better.
In any case, 255 of the large ones is way over the top and that number needs to be radically slashed in C2012 or it gets sent back to the NC, even if they take their toys and go home, quit and have to start over.
Any idea on the cost (CASM, 500-1000-1500nm trip costs, block hour costs, etc)?
If 50 seaters are so insanely uneconomical, I can't immagine 70 seaters or 90 seaters with 76 seats installed can be that much better.
In any case, 255 of the large ones is way over the top and that number needs to be radically slashed in C2012 or it gets sent back to the NC, even if they take their toys and go home, quit and have to start over.
Not to defend the RJs, but the CRJ900 carries 50% more pax and offers the "premium opportunities" (have to put that in quotes) for higher revenue. Delta pilots ought to be flying it and the Embraer E-jets...
Cheers
George
12-28-2011 | 02:58 PM
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From: window seat
At this point though it appears we are flying so many of these things just because we have them and just because we allow them to be outsourced. If we allowed 707's to be outsourced I wouldn't be suprised to see the company do so. We have wasted many, many billions on bad management decisions regarding RJ's and outsourcing. They can cry us a river if they want to but whatever 51+ seat flying they say they need needs to be flown by us in very short order. The number of 50's needs to be capped at present numbers and serial number limited, and that cap needs to be reduced as airframes are parked. Anything new is flown by us as well, even in that seat range. 3.b.6 is gone, so we will have to come up with a workable pay scale so the company's cries of not being able to make it if we can't hire the next J.O. to trash the operation can and will fall on deaf ears both within the pilot group as well as the NMB.
12-28-2011 | 03:16 PM
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From: M88A MSP
In regards to the scheduling survey on the Md-88 MSP. There is one common theme in the comments. Can we guess what it is?
Last edited by 944Turbo; 12-28-2011 at 03:30 PM.
12-28-2011 | 03:30 PM
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From: 765-A
12-28-2011 | 03:55 PM
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I'd wait for better conditions, but truthfully when you live here, you become a "snow snob".
12-28-2011 | 04:04 PM
Line Holder
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From: metal tube operator
12-28-2011 | 04:58 PM
Da Hudge
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From: Poodle Whisperer
On behalf of all things south, keep 5 day trips out of ATL. 
I like my late sign ins and high credit 3 days... (once I can finally hold a line in this overly senior pond)
I like my late sign ins and high credit 3 days... (once I can finally hold a line in this overly senior pond)
12-28-2011 | 05:23 PM
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From: "Prof" button manipulator
Badflaps, nwa757, capncruch, wasatch phantom,
Thanks for all the replies. Decided that a spontaneous trip to the slopes during the New Year's Eve weekend wasn't as easy as it sounded. Responses are much appreciated.
GJ
Thanks for all the replies. Decided that a spontaneous trip to the slopes during the New Year's Eve weekend wasn't as easy as it sounded. Responses are much appreciated.
GJ
12-28-2011 | 05:28 PM
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From: Urban chicken rancher.
This food talk has taken a turn for the worse. Where's Buzz when you need him? I guess this is what happens when you are forced to view per-diem as part of income and not as a reimbursement...
I'd like to see a discussion of steak quality and such, this time next year rather than crocodile tears over Taco Bell and McDonalds...
Slice of the pie? I want to eat cake!
Cheers
George
I'd like to see a discussion of steak quality and such, this time next year rather than crocodile tears over Taco Bell and McDonalds...
Slice of the pie? I want to eat cake!
Cheers
George
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