Well if there is no letter saying no degree is required for SSP, and "vault letter" is an official term used by ALPA, and ALPA reps can only talk about it basically individually "come ask me after the meeting and we will discuss the college degree" and Delta has obviously hired several SSP's without a degree, yet nobody else without a degree even gets an interview, does that not hint at an agreement solely between Delta and Endeavor ALPA? If nobody in SSP got hired without the degree got hired, I would then question it.

 

If such a thing exists, it is pretty bad for ALPA and our profession. ALPA, who has a duty to treat members equally, appears to have not done so. What about members at ASA, or more to the point, those at Comair who don't have jobs as senior Captains?

Further, the concept of "concessions for an unqualified interview" is terrible on the face of it.

 

Bucking, the vault letter is the least of the unfairness of ALpA. Try the hyprocrisy of them representing both mainline and regional pilots, while signing off on BS regional concessions so mainline can reap the benefits? Or scope?

 

Lee Moak and Tom Wychor would surely tell you they believed this deal to be best for the Pinnacle pilots and was aimed at avoiding a cessation of operations, as members had suffered at Comair. (If true, this more indicates a lack of strategic planning and situational awareness than malice).

I agree with your point that it is likely Pinnacle concessions were, at some level, an agreement which cross collateralized mainline bargaining. After all, didn't Pinnacle get some of the jets allowed in DAL C2012's expansion of 76 seat flying?

As for scope, I believe Pinnacle's pilots have a commitment to fly a certain fleet at Pinnacle/Endeavor. I fully support your scope and believe the end state goal of ALPA should be the end of alter-ego. I don't question the qualifications of pilots who merge. The scope benefits of a merger outweigh the debate over qualifications. Understand, if we merged, I would not take issue with whether someone had bothered to get a degree ... they aren't being hired; they are being acquired.

JMHO

 

Some of us toward the bottom aren't so happy either. I don't have a particularly special degree, but I did earn a 4 year "B.S." and now I can't apply to Delta as an outside candidate unless I'd like to quit my job. I have to wait for the SSP to interview and potentially hire all of the "not normally qualified" candidates that sit above me on the list. Then I have to wait until there is a vacancy, upgrade (hopefully, cart not before the horse), and sit out a 1 year seat lock before making it to the stack of SSP guys getting a call to interview. We all know that the job is not guaranteed, that your prep can make or break you, but there is still a certain amount of luck involved in the whole process.

No offense to the guys who missed, or chose to sit out the previous hiring cycles, but I have had my application in at Delta since I finally earned the minimum qualifications. Now, as a 6+ year FO making $37 an hour, I still have to wait, even longer.

I am using this time to build upon the qualifications that I have control over, but time is not our friend.

Would Delta call me in, if I were not in this "privileged" few who were, through collective bargaining, given a seat at the interview table in exchange for dollars? I don't know. I would like to think so.

So, BB, despite the negatives of the agreement, just know that there are folks that are "in line" who meet or exceed the qualifications required by Delta Air Lines to interview (and become employed should they be successful at the table). We look forward to impressing the hiring department and joining the "big leagues".

Meanwhile, we will, for the most part, do our best being a contract carrier for a single major airline. All I know is Delta passengers, gate agents, schedules, procedures, etc...

 

You need to reread the SSP. You can apply to Delta without using SSP as a Endeavor pilot. The latest memo even said that when you fill out your app, email them and tell them you would like to be considered outside of SSP as an off the street. Why would you have to quit to apply??? that makes zero sense.

 

this also begs the question......which makes one better to be a Delta pilot (or anywhere). The 6 year FO with zero turbine PIC and a degree in political science or the 10 year Captain with 4000 hours PIC and no degree?

 

Cool today - mid 70s. All is well. Going sailing tomorrow morning.

 

Easy... The FO with the degree, because the FO meets all of the Delta Air Lines posted requirements. The 10 year CA never had any intentions or desire to work at Delta, because he/she never took the time in 10 years during off time, overnights, vacation, ect ect.. to obtain a published requirement from, at the very least, an online university.

 

I said what makes him a better pilot (hence the "or anywhere"), not what makes him capable of an interview. And since I'm sure it will come up, yes I have my degree. Personally, I'd want the experience in the front rather than a degree. Basically I'm saying...who can answer if Delta pilots are better because they need a degree, or United's who dont require one. If anyone can answer that they are pulling it out their butt.