Isn't there somewhere on Deltanet that they post the newhire class drops (AC/base,) when they are assigned? Anybody know where that is? Used to be a "pilot - newhire" link, but I don't know where that is now.

 

What part of my previous post didn't explicitly answer your question? As per the current LOA only a equal number of the pilots that flow up to Delta may flow down to Mesaba. There are already provisions that give unequal protection to the mainline pilots in the event of a flowback. They automatically take all captain positions and the seniority number of the pilots who previously flowed up. Right now they would replace mesaba pilots #63-134 seniority, from day one of ground school. That's an equivalent of instant 14-18 years of seniority, wouldn't you love instant 18 years at Delta?? Those who elect not to flow will lose QOL because of the flow back. Delta mainline pilots lose nothing by allowing pilots to flow up. You speak of quality control being lost with a flow up. News flash we've already been flying the NWA/Delta "product" since 1986 (for Republic Airlines since 1983). Mesaba Airlines has a 66 year perfect safety record!!! The average passenger knows no difference between my little 900 and your maddog. They both have Delta painted on the side. I realize you have sacrificed a lot to get where you are. To see a person not "sacrifice" and attain a mainline number is what really urks most flow-thru opponents on the mainline side. Quality control is pure lip service. If you truly worried about the safety and "integrity" of Delta you would bring all flying back under ONE seniority list. Until then (which I won't hold my breath for) I will proudly give my best customer service/safety for Mesaba Airlines dba Delta Connection.

 

It won't be DALPA that will put it on the table it will be Delta doing it so they don't have to reduce the number of 76 seat jets. Our scope section says there has to be a flow-down but does not specify there must be a flow-up. I lived through the unfair flow-down of CAL pilots to XJT so I support your opinion that it should be fair both ways and I hope it ends up that way. However, Delta will do what they need to do without regards to what is fair and how it effects any of our careers...that is just the way it is and right now it just says they need a flow-down so I'm sure they don't care about a flow-up just because it is fair and the right thing to do.

 

Moreover, if there is only a flow down, what is the likeliness that a flow down will flow in to a hostile environment. Read the LOA's; get fired from Mesaba or CPS and lose your DAL number. With language like that, it is important that if the flow downs are kept, we make sure the environment is not hostile for the pilots that opt to flow down. That said, one way to do it, is to not irk the LCA's and APD's by taking the flow up away. The other way is to nuke all of them. Be careful how you craft your argument. The same pilots than can have their flow unilaterally canceled by management can make your life a living nightmare in the even of a flow down.

Not going to express my opinion on this issue. I just want us to realize it is not cut and dry. If you cancel any part of the flow, the quality and the value of what we "had" prior to the sale has materially changed.

 

Anyword on the class drop? I guess it isn't really a drop since the class is all returnees, but be nice to know where they are going.

 

The good thing is that the Flow is based upon a LOA, if Mesaba Pilots don't agree to the changes then it's dead. It cannot be imposed legally into our contract. My hope was that this flow-thru would help unify two working groups that produce the same service every-time a person bought a NWA ticket. Overall, when we worked for NWA, the spirit was headed towards that direction. Now that it's under the Delta umbrella, that spirit has been knocked to it's knees. This propagated elitist, protectionism attitude has reared its ugly head. We already fly 1000+ departures a day under the "Delta" banner. I'm already working as a Delta pilot, the only difference is who cuts my check and my benefits, and I wear silver bars. PS gold is for sailors, silver is for aviators I fly the same passengers, the same rampies park in SLC, SFO, LGA, EWR, etc.. push/park me. Look at the big picture, we are subcontractors providing the same service.

 

I think if you asked your MEC Chair, your negotiating committee, your former MEC Chair or anyone else connected with the process if the "spirit has been knocked to its knees" they would disagree. I've seen a pretty strong relationship built through the connection alliance.

There's no question that the sale has caused some consternation, and that going forward there are going to be changes for pilots flying under the Pinnacle Airlines Holdings brands. However, please don't let the rantings of a few elitists (and they exist on both sides of the issue) cloud the issue.

 

I hope you are correct.

 

Right there you show that you are not a Delta caliber pilot..... Wings of lead have no place on the Delta uniform. Just because the AF needed to differentiate themselves back in.... what...1960.... when they were created does not make a tradition.

 

Actually it's 1947, but the wings go back to the Army Signal Corp design which, of course, predates WWI.

Oh, and yes, they are a part of a Delta uniform. I proudly wear a pair as a tie tac

Ferd
USAF, ret