IPubs.me. Login inFO found on DALPA sit forum.

 

I wrote to my rep about scope. I was less than thrilled with the response. He said scope is not for sell. I liked that. Then he went into a long paragraph about how scope is more than just 76 seaters and how JV's are just as important. I believe that JV's are just as important, but my e-mail to him was just about 76 seaters. I feel he was giving me a bait and switch. He did not say that we will not outsource one more 76 seat jet. My rep also said something about using production balances to protect our jobs. The Compass jets fly from MSP to YVR. That's almost a 3 hour international flight. Shuttle America is flying medium sized markets like Chicago-New York, New-York-Washington, DC (DCA), and New York-Boston. Delta is putting out national ads bragging about first class being in these jets. We are not part of any of this. I don't understand why we would even consider allowing more of these jets.

 

This is important to address because it will be the exact scare tactic used by the MEC administration to get the reps to fall in line. There is nothing in our current language to "protect our flanks" from any additional abuse by JV's or code share. If this tactic provided DAL more profit capability, DAL would want to keep this current language as long as possible. They're not...because they've likely reached diminishing returns with the JV/code share outsourcing strategy. What DAL currently cannot do is outsource additional 76 seat jets without getting us to change our already pathetically weak language.

Classic negotiations. Threaten something you have no intention of doing (because it makes no economic sense), to get your adversary to willingly accept something that will damage them far worse.

We shouldn't be worried about living with our current language for a few more years while we get scope language closer to SWAPA under the auspices of the NMB. We should be far more worried about agreeing to larger jet scope, then living with that language for the duration of the new contract plus 5 more years while management drags their feet.

Carl

 

I disagree. I can see a Virgin Atlantic and JAL JV. Virgin gets brought in to the North Atlantic AF JV and our percentages change, and JAL protects DAL's flank when NRT gets hosed by HND.

If that is not enough, you could see another Asian JV as well. The Asian ones are the most important because their governments are more involved and are more likely to be revenue sharing which we do not have a trigger for a production balance.

As for 76 seaters, I agree they want more, and they really should be flown here.

There are some benefits for waiting and some for not waiting. It really depends on the contract language. I will wait and judge the one we vote on.

 

While I would love to see all of our reps respond with unequivocal support to turn the tide on scope, I don't think not getting this should be seen as a bad sign. Our reps have probably been asked to not respond with anything too solid that could possibly detract from the on-going negotiations, i.e. don't make their jobs harder than it already is. Hence, the non-response response some may give to the members they represent. The important thing is to contact your reps and emphasize how important the issue of scope rests with you. They asked for our input leading up to negotiations, and scope was definitely something they heard along with a myriad of other concerns, but IMHO now is the time to reemphasize just how important an issue scope is.

 

I dont think the company would push for 90 seats (no first class) when they are in love with their 90's flying with 76 seats including first class. They are spending money bragging about first class. That said, I could see them pushing for more of these or more larger RJ's altogether. And the correct response from our reps should be a simple, quick response.....NO.

 

Well them that then, and tel them often. Make sure you make a rational case to them as to why. Same for pay. Answer why!

I do suspect that they have asked and probably put a few quids on it as well. Time will tell, and we will see if they can come to an agreement within the next few weeks.

I still say the drop dead on this expedited scheme is mid June.

 

FTB, proud new member of the "wait and see what the TA is" club:

 

it's funny, you can always tell what the company is proud of by what it advertises.



And it's proud of 747s and EMB-175s.

 

Looks like the Marines have themselves a warplane that even the hippies could love... It makes rainbows! (2:00 mark)

F-35B Ship Suitability Testing - YouTube