DL (NWA) to pull out of PANC???
 

Bump

Rumor has it that DL will no longer be operating 74 Freighters out of Anchorage after 2009. Any legs to this rumor? What will they do with the basing of their aircraft... and also their valuable ramp spaces up there.... Time to sell out to Brown?? or Purple??

The cargo operation will not make the transition over to Delta. 08 losses were around 65 million and 09 is going to be worse. Information went out to the MEC at the last meeting.

Yep 742'a gone at SOC or Dec 31, 2009. Whichever is first.

Here is the latest flying bulletin for FNWA:

747-200 (ANC and MSP)
The scheduled cargo flying level is projected to be at a slightly lower level for the summer and the rest of 2009, compared to the current level. Some of the impact of the schedule reduction is offset by the military charter operations; however, this will result in small staffing surpluses in all three B747-200 positions. The possibility of some displacements remains from all three ANC blockholder positions, but will be dependent on planned retirements and bid out activity which is expected to minimize the need for displacements. Displacements from MSP positions are possible, depending on where pilots displace to from other fleets. Relative base sizes are expected to remain unchanged.

I would talk with your council reps who attended the last MEC meeting. The news was just about as bad for the 747-400 also. Lets hope we get replacement aircraft for the 400's. The forcast you have posted is for 09. There will be no freighter flying in 10.

Here is what was published for the 747-400:

747-400 (DTW)
The flying level in the fall of 2009 is expected to be at the peak summer levels which are higher than the current scheduled spring flying level. To facilitate the transition to DL scheduling and staffing rules, including the use of more CA augment, awards are planned in the CA position for the remaining months in 2009. As there is increased use of CA augment, the possibility of displacements off the FO continues. However the exact number of displacements off the FO position will depend on the number of bid outs from the FO position.

Why would we be flying this fall at peak summer hours plus why do the training if the flying is going to be reduced?

Because its not going to be reduced this year or next. However the original plan to retire the 400's within 5 years of SOC has been advanced to within 3 years of SOC. At least that is what Richard Anderson is saying. Not good news. I have talked with 4 or 5 reps. They all confirmed the same info. Lots of unhappy faces when he dropped that bomb. Lets hope replacement aircraft are ordered or the economy does a huge turnaround and they decide to extend them.

So let me get this straight. The 747-200's will be gone by SOC. The DC-9's will be gone in 3 years. The 747-44's will be gone in 3 years. 757's are being parked. The only airplanes on order are a 777 or two and about 18 787's which we might not see for years. On top of that, the company is ordering more 76 seaters for DCI than our contract allows. There are virtually 0 retirements due to age 65. Tell me how Delta is not going to furlough again. On top of that, let's say they do not furlough. The guys at the bottom of the list will always be at the bottom of the list. This company might go 15-20 years without hiring a soul.

I would take what some say with a grain of salt. Especially when it comes to the time line of retiring NWA aircraft.

stagnation until the retirements hit in full force is a real possibility. Parking all the above planes in the next 5 years and furloughing everybody isnt a real possibility imho. This is an airline afterall and airplanes must be flown. Both Companies just came out of Bankruptcy and both companies have trimmed the "fat" already. IMHO we will see little growth and stagnation for the next couple years followed by a rather big growth spurt. In the mean time this is exactly why everyone should be calling and emailing your reps about scope protection. It doesnt take much effort to email your reps, especially when your talking about you career here.

Sure, anythings possible but i dont think its all doom and gloom, at least not for now ;)