Are you saying that Mesaba guys actually think that they will flow UP to NW? Seriously doubt that considering NW has some guys in the pool and pretty sure mother D will do all future hiring.

 

One of the first things we have heard from our MEC about the LOA or this current voted in contract was that the flow through agreements with both Compass and Mesaba are to be continued as currently agreed to even after the the merger.

We started at 6 or 9 pilots per class but I think we are now doing up to 14 per class. But I am not sure of the specific numbers.

I don't think the Compass guys are flowing yet because I think they need 2 or 3 years as Captain to flow, but once they have that amount of time I don't believe there are max flow numbers. They could flow more than 100 to mainline at a time I think.

Now the Compass guys are pretty nervous right now because if NWA or Delta were to furlough all but the top 10% or so could be forced to the street. Mesaba doesn't have the same agreement.

As to the change in the recent bid I don't know. I am not aware of any pending announcement. I hope it's an increase of flying.

But as a Mesaba pilot, I don't want to be lumped into a group of newhire FO's who feel we are entitled to mainline flying. We are still just a subcontractor and subject to the whims of mainline management. Granted I like the flying but I don't feel entitled to it and accept that poor performance or management whims change everything.

 

The flow up/down for both XJ and CP do stay in tact. XJ can flow up 9 per month before any hiring off the street capped at 10% of pilot group in a rolling 12 month period.

CP can flow up 20 per month before any hiring off the street or flow ups from any other affiliate capped at 25% of pilot group in a rolling 12 month period. There is nobody eligible to flow up until a few get their 30 months on the payroll in 09.

If DAL were to furlough after DCC this fall, EVERY Compass pilot could be put on the street (not just 90%). This is why CP gets the first 20 vacancies if the flow ever brings people up. In order to retain your seat & seniority you have to be offered a flow up and then turn it down. If DAL were to furlough after enough CP pilots were offered a flow up and decided to decline it, 10% of the pilot group woulf get to stay.

Per the flow up/down agreements, DAL is not allowed to hire of the street until the flow up/down provisions are satisfied.

 

May be completely unfounded, ...but...

Was talking to a regional asst. CP this past week about bringing in a buddy for a pre-screen (i.e. get him to the top of the stack if in fact we do hire in the fall)

He said "Sure bring him in, but it could be complicated by the fact that there is a rumor of a NW furlough. Although they are saying that if that were to take place, they are working on a plan to bring NW furloughs on as DAL newhires, and after that we would still need to hire some." What "some" is I don't know and how that mechanism would work I don't know either although it's impact would probably be minimal since the guys we are talking about are at the bottom anyway.

At any rate, not my words, but those of a guy (asst CP) that should have a fairly good pulse on the situation.

 

I would have to agree. If you are in NWAs pool then there is a chance of getting on before mother D takes the helm. If you are at Mesaba and are not in the pool, I would not count on getting a call in Feb.

 

From what year?

 

This year!

 

I don't think that the flow agreements affect the hiring at Delta until corp. closure.

 

And we will probably not hire until DCC. That is why there is a wait on a few things.
If it appears that we will not get DOJ approval until next year, then we will have to hire, but they would like to wait until the approval and DCC are completed.

 

When you read the JPWA and the associated documents, it is easy to conclude that someone was thinking about having NWA guys jump certificates. Several of us asked this specific question and all were told; NO.

The problem with furloughing-to-new-hire is that a NWA DC9 pilot would get a better base and better equipment that a more senior NWA pilot might want first. For instance, the opening bids will probably be for a 737NG which is above the DC9, MD88 and A319 & A320 on the pay scale. Same holds true with the displacement to Compass as a Captain.

This again illustrates how hard it is going to be to maintain status quo in this merger.

I hope the Reps are open to a SLOA to facilitate the prevention of furloughs prior to DCC if the other side is hiring.