CODs4ever

I just think that's probably pure economics and business. If the economy were to tank tomorrow, the bonus is just temporary (paid through 2018). Whereas a contract pay raise would be a more firm commitment. Then again, I was not a business major, so take that FWIW.

daOldMan

Once daddy Delta gets their C-Series jets, they will no longer need Endeavor. The retention bonuses end at the same time that the C-Series come online. That is not a coincidence. That is "Delta Planning".

Once that date hits, there will be no retention bonus. Pay will drop back to where it was. Half of the pilots at Endeavor will leave, and that is exactly what Delta wants. There will be no unemployment to pay. No contract to deal with. The pilots will naturally leave and Delta won.

Delta has already said that they were moving away from regional aircraft and having to rely on regional feeders. Has no one paid attention to it?

The end date of Endeavor has already been published and people are still flocking there for a couple of extra dollars a year in pay. Then, 2 years from now, they will be new FOs at some other regional. Back on first year pay, on reserve, with no seniority or longevity to their name.

Pilots are short-sighted.

CODs4ever

^^^^^^^ The brutal honesty. daOldMan was a business major!

VoiceOfReason

Hardly. If you listen to Delta's recent remarks, they want to get out of contract flying with less reliable carriers and whittle down to one or two reliable regionals. There is no plan to completely do away with the regional feed - likely 9E out east, SkyWest out west. Upgauge to CSeries and 717s where feasible, and stick with 76-seaters owned by Delta.

Will 50 seat flying go away? More than likely, but not while gas is still reasonable. It's not about short sightedness, it's about the reality of the regional industry. The economics are working, and once the new aircraft are online, they'll take a longer look at what's possible. For now, if I'm at a contract carrier, I'd be pushing up my game so DL keeps me around as long as possible.

SmitteyB

The fleet guarantee is full 81 -900s until 2021, but beyond that, sure it is a gamble.

But so it every other regional airline.

daOldMan

You are correct (sort of).

You can likely stay at Endeavor and fly one of the 81 -900's for base pay with no retention bonus if you want. At that point, it will be some of the lowest pay in the industry.

But ask any of the pilots at Comair how Delta operates.

SmitteyB

What is a guy such as yourself - an American Airlines pilot, so worried about little old Endeavor Air? Completely unaffiliated with said employer.

SmitteyB

I don't argue the ruthless nature of ATL towards its regional partners. I was arguing that 9E won't just stop flying on Dec 31, 2018.

Mistek89

Or you can think positively and delta will take all endeavor pilots and place them onto their seniority list. Wishful thinking maybe.

KSCessnaDriver

Go back and troll the AA W/O regional carriers threads...