Heyas Wiggy,

You are correct. There are some inversions throughout the whole list. I didn't think I was implying anything. As some have gone to lengths to point out, the SLI MUST be fair because that's what the arbitrator decided...even though that might not be true in micro-segments of the list.

Besides that one segment, there are scattered examples of the inversion throughout the list. Some argued quite voicerferously that DOH didn't matter, so, really, no one should be toruqed at all that 95 guys wound in front of 91 guys, or 01 guys behind 07 hires...right?

With that said, the SLI started out as an ok deal for the DAL side, but that was assuming a constant fleet. I'm now starting to see the SLI as an extremely bad deal for the DAL side. RA seems intent on parking a healthy majority of the fNWA fleet, but the whole bunch of NWA guys will be parked on the list no matter what.

Bummer, but I keep my job. It is what it is...

Nu

 

Sounds about like what happend with PA.

 

Yeah, I suppose that's right, in a sense. It might seem counterintuitive that the pilot group who is slated to eventually lose a significant portion of their fleet (742s, DC9s) and will inevitably be displaced is the one with the "better deal". But how bad can it be to be displaced from Alaska (esp. in the winter) or displaced off the '-9 where the only options involve an upgrade to bigger and better paying equipment? I would caution those who look at their current relative seniority vs. equipt. held either north or south and drool or cry. After SOC, for every choice job that a fNW guy tries to bid, there are on average 1.4 fDL guys of equal seniority bidding for the same thing. (ex-747, 777) They need to publish a combined "stovepipe" list matching up pilots with equipment in seniority order to get an accurate picture of where the chips will fall.

 

That was done a few months ago. I know that the DAL proposal had it. I am not sure if DAL will publish what you want. Just look at the category lists.

 

Nu,

That is why we, on the DAL South list, said that this is going to be good for the fNWA guys and bad for us. This is not crystal ball stuff, this is a history lesson. How many former Pan Am aircraft do we still have? How many former Western aircraft? Answer none. DAL has a history of buying something then taking it apart and closing the bases that came with it.

After SOC, I imagine we are going to be the worlds largest commuter, as in pilots commuting to work, airline. There is no telling where aircraft are going to end up. But we will have displacements and then we will see how many fNWA guys are complaining when they go from commuting to work as an A320B in DTW to commuting to work at ATL as a 75/76B.

 

It is fact that the guys in route management do not care about the cost to the families either. It is something that needs to be done, and the are aware that we will get tossed about. It is just not something that is going to make them pause or stop from executing their plan.

Pack a big suitcase. It will be less of a shock to the NWAers, lots of DAL guys do not commute.
I am getting ready to move from ATL. For the next few years flexibility is key.

 

Not all the Dal-N guys are going to be happy with a displacement. A lot of the ANC folks live there and like it. Also as the -200 flying goes away most of these guys will all go to lower paying equipment. As for me I may get bumped from the -400 and the only position that pays equal or better that I can hold is a -9, which is way too much work for me...... I am not complaining but rather pointing out that all is not roses on our side either.

 

Long term leave request sitting on the hard drive. Resignation letter is in the same directory. Money's in the bank & everything is paid for. Wife and family not only on board, they insist.

I changed careers to a profession that pays less because I like flying. I never applied to Northwest Airlines, had no interest in flying for them and would have remained at a regional if NWA were the other choice. If significantly re-routed, I'll squawk 1200 and continue VFR. You can do that under part 91.

I'm going to have to learn to fly the Falcon, but finding room for the crew bags isn't a problem and the Jepps are left in the closet too. Last time I flew corporate we sometimes went from the jet to a helicopter, making the ride to downtown a lot more fun than the crew van. Four day Type at Flight Safety doesn't sound very difficult.

How's that for flexibility?

I love Delta and enjoy working here. However, am I willing to take a pay cut and move 1,000 miles so someone else can shop my job? eh' no thanks.

The equation is simple... If result is > or = status quo = no changes. If result < Status Quo = Formal Leave Request. If Leave denied then Resignation + ((ALPA can KMA for outsourcing our Captain gigs) * 2).

Think your wife might like Dallas, or Savannah? If the economy turns around the G250 and 650 should be hot products.

 

Thats exactly why we havent moved yet. We're waiting for the dust to semi-settle before we even think about it. In the meantime we are happy with where we are and commuting will continue

 

If I was Delta-N or Delta-S, and lived in FL, I'd be praying for BOS to open up and real keen on waiting to see what moves into DTW and NYC before I make a move for heavy equipment in ATL. Sure, its a shorter commuting flight but its also a popular one with no seats in the back and a guaranteed battle for the jumpseat. If you're not going to hold commutable lines, why bother with ATL? If you can hold 765 NYC and hold good lines in DTW with more growth in the size of aircraft operated out of there (i.e. more 7ERs), then why commute to reserve or to the bottom of ATL?

I think we need to get to SOC and then really see what happens. Commuters have a nack for finding the path with least resistance. I've been both and right now I don't fear as much as I enjoy what I have now. If I have to commute, I have to commute but doing it at Delta beats the years of commuting I did with no CASS, no seats, no priority, no commutable trips and a "bloated" fifth year $27,000 a year pay unable to waste money on a crashpad... hello lazy boy. But I've also slept ontop of A/C vents in EWR when there was no room in the inn, crew room or baggage room and I've bathed many a time in the airport sink. Commuting on Delta was significantly better.