Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

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)

Originally Posted by buzzpat

I'm here George. My next book is going to be "The Crappy Food that Airline Pilots Live On." Hopefully, next year, I'll be reviewing five star Michelin spots.

Originally Posted by Amish Pilot

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!

Originally Posted by gloopy

I'm sure its still an expensive seat compared to even an 88/90 and especially a bus or 73N. I agree there is some level of a market for them, and the same goes for 50 seaters as well. We might only need a few dozen 50 seaters, but I doubt we will ever have zero in our "network" other than to say that one day they may or may not have props on them.

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.

Originally Posted by scambo1

I downloaded a free "foodie" app called flavortown. It includes all of the Diners, drive-ins and dives from the TV show, plus local places that the locals love. Unfortunately, none of them would be in an airport, but it would probably work on a domestic layover. My family had dinner tonight at one of the places listed, it had 5 stars and cheap pilot prices. It was fantastic!

Originally Posted by FmrFreightDog

After paging through the write-in responses on the scheduling survey, I can say without qualification that the only thing we, as Delta Pilots, have in common is the totally inability to correctly spell or punctuate. T, please don't read it. I'd hate for you to stroke out.

Originally Posted by buzzpat

Scambo, I have that one and Adam Richman's "Man vs. Food" app that shows locations near our domestic layovers. I'm always looking for good ones. Something to do.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

I shall get that app. I want a 15 egg omelet or 12 pound 30" pizza. Or 12 milkshakes in an hour. Or double bypass burger.

Ever notice the places in MSY that make those shows are nowhere near where we stay?