Maybe, and I hope that is the case. But Trans States really really thinks they are going to fly this for someone:




And besides, why is the gas guzzling DC-9-50 considered a "hundred seater" when the 737-700 and A319 isn't? (especially while the DC-9-10 is considered an "RJ")?

As for someone mentioning Boeing dropping the ball yet again not being able to deliver (pun intended) that really makes me wonder...what happens if the planes we got a sweet deal on (737-900's) because the other planes (787's) were insanely late and we gave Boeing additional relief on for a decade, are themselves late (737-900's)?

Do we get a double dip bonus discount on the next order?

Almost makes it seem like Boeing is intentionally mucking things up as some sort of bizzare twisted customer loyalty program.

 

WSVN-TV - Asian airlines offer jobs to US pilots

Hundreds of pilots hoping to garner lucrative jobs attended a special South Florida job fair.

The job fair was held on Thursday at Miami International Airport.

Recruiters from several major Asian airlines offered jobs to skilled US pilots, who could possibly gain more money if they work overseas. "Between now and 2030, Asian Pacific needs 180,000 new pilots. China alone needs 70,000 new pilots, and these jobs are all paying very well, almost immediate captain seats for a lot of pilots now. They're sitting at the bottom of the list at American, United, Delta and many other carriers," said event organizer Greg Darrow.

Some pilots only make $16 an hour in the US. However, in Asia, they could make six-figure salaries. Event organizer Robin Li said, "The average salary is around $200,000 per year, something like that."

Some of the pilots who attended the job fair said it is not just about the money. "Part of it may even be as much as feeling like you're important and appreciated," said American Airlines captain Doug Lister. "There's not been much of that lately."

Asian airlines are looking to hire highly-skilled pilots, and have turned to South Florida for help in finding those captain-level pilots who have about 4,000 hours in the cockpit. "Is it going to decrease the quality of experience here? I don't think we're going to have a safety issue, but we're going to lose a lot of great people to China because the opportunity is so great," Darrow said.

Consequently, the U.S. could lose a lot of great pilots, who have landed better-paying jobs in Asia.

 

That would be me. Didn't ask for the first 66 hours but then decided hmm why not YS for more (2nd Year pay sucks when you're closing on a new house and have a 7 month old at home). Yep RAW of 194 for Feb right before I start ER training for my displacement to NY. Movin on up!!

 

Yup, and said merger/acquisition would probably come with pilots that might explain no hiring until 2015 comments. I like new hires better - I know they'll be junior to me

 

I think his point was the 7ER is underpaid in the current contract relative to other equipment.

As far as the eternal 100 seat jet debate. I have heard all the same things since 1991 when the DC9's were retired. The last 100 seat jet Delta purchased was in 1983 or almost 30 years ago. Management spins up the 100 seat rumors every time something is in play in the contract. The reality is that they don't want a 100 seat aircraft. It wont even be a big issue in the contract. They might open for one at DCI but it will be a throwaway item.
They are on record over and over again as stating they can fly a 150 seat aircraft for almost the same trip cost as a 100 seater so why go any smaller. The consider that the break point on trip costs verses seat costs. They might purchase something in the 130 to 140 seat range if it offered a big jump in efficiency but you will never see a 100 seater.

 

Not true ... The E175 / 900 is management's 100 seat jet and they have as many of them as we allow. It's trip costs are half of the MD88's. If we are going to upgauge markets like LGA, we need a jet that splits the 100% capacity gap between the CRJ900 and the MD88.

Lets correct your statement:

"Delta's MEC does not want a 100 seat jet on the property, for fear it will dilute the pay on larger airplanes by allowing management a better, smaller, choice to the MD88 sized jets. D-ALPA's partnership with management to outsource jobs and cross collateralize our pay requires outsourcing."

The made up conflict with Compass which made it necessary for the Delta MEC to boot them obviously was not created by management. The Delta MEC voted to divest those pilots. Of course this followed years of action which allowed more and more outsourcing, further diluting the negotiating power of ALPA pilots who flew those airplanes and lowering the floor on pilot pay and working conditions. Which was preceded by a made up seniority grab justification to keep ASA and Comair's small jet flying off the property.

The record is absolutely clear on the matter in the form of votes.

I am tired of being lied to about this issue. Management gets a pass since they don't have an obligation to their employees. ALPA doesn't get a pass. ALPA works for us, using our dues, and has a fiduciary duty to us.

Worst of all this scheme has rotted ALPA's core. ALPA can't be unified as long as half of its flying is done by someone outside the control of our Bargaining Agent ... so we water down unity to a form of mindless allegiance and cede our reason for existence; we cede our structural difference with the DPA. The DPA should not be on the property. The DPA should not win. The DPA will not be good for Delta pilots, but if we are going to model Contract 2012 on the last decade's outsourcing scheme, then you've handed them the keys to the place.

 

Holy crap!

For the record, I did not write this.

 

Not to go back to the depressing DPA/ALPA debate when the facts are clear that ALPA will or will not be here after this contract. In the mean time they are my agent and I woke up this morning screaming "Sho me Da money Jerry".....

As far as the 100 seat a/c? DAL is looking to leverage it in somewhere at the DCI level. We will see if many have the minerals to stop all flying at the 76 seat A/C and stop its growth. The boat has sailed on that A/C and it would be tough to get it back. I am willing to walk if there is any relaxation on scope. It would be a career killer for me. Not to say this larger REGIONAL airline here in the NW that has a sweet deal for itself and is killing many a career as well...... Just sayin

 

My strike fund, is fully funded. Frankly, I can't wait to give ALPA my strike authorization vote.

That is why Sailing's getting both barrels (before my first cup of coffee). If I am going to effectively hand ALPA my resignation letter (ie my entire Delta career) to be used as leverage the expectations that go with that level of responsibility are correspondingly high.

 

Damn, I just spit coffee through my nose