hiflyer

Also Carl-


"If Northwest were to buy Delta, that would put Continental in a very bad position because of the size of the new company. The larger your network, the less vulnerable you are to incursions into your marketplace," Bethune said.

Well Carl, DAL bought NWA and as I eluded to before, these ceo's have a vested interest in their airline, not DAL and NWA. They will say whatever to put this deal in a negative light. Run the stock down with comments about the "risks". There are always risks, but with risks come rewards and this is a powerful combination.

Here is another such quote:

"But some rivals are skeptical that Delta's aggressive international expansion will work. Among the critics: Continental President Jeff Smisek, who panned Delta's global ambitions at a Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (BSC ) conference last May. "They are throwing a lot of capacity into the market. I predict they will lose their shirts on it," he told the gathered investors."

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine...tm?chan=search


source: http://www.thedeal.com/dealscape/200...comment_on.php

The statement was made by Jeff Smisek of Continental Airlines while DAL was investing heavily in international expansion.

Here is what you stated:

"My CAL friends disagree with you completely. They all say Bethune WAS a genius. I'm sure he had other talented folks on his team, but he did a remarkable job after Lorenzo's disastrous tenure."

Really Carl, how smart was that statement, don't expand, DAL will lose their shirts! Well Carl, DAL did not lose their shirts and have been very successful.

So lets listen to these smart men and do what they say............

NWA320pilot

NWA's monthly schedule bidding program is great! I am not sure what DAL has but our works well and most guys can get pretty much what they want, even when junior. Now I am not saying if jumior you can have Christmas and such off, but you can pretty much get any non-holiday you want off if you bid correctly.

Superpilot92

Not to mention you can trade days with yourself or someone else. I have done that almost every month so far. If i need a day off that i didnt get originally i can either trade it online with myself or call scheduling and they will do it. That has been very helpful.

Ferd149

I hope we keep it too. It was an item the company wanted way back to get us out of the commute mode. I had a commuting discussion with a chief pilot awhile back and when I got the old "commuting is a priviledge not a right" I reminded him that if they had to move us everytime they moved flying around (like the military) it would cost them millions. Commuters actually save them money....or at least I think so.

On to another question........If your a MSP based pilot and get a new award that requires training, NWA assumes you live in MSP and doesn't cover your hotel during training. So, what commuters have to do is bid over to DTW, bid your new jet, and then get the award so you don't get stuck with the hotel bill. Is it the same at Delta? Do they assume an ATL guy lives there?

Ferd

INAV8OR

The biggest difference for me is that scheduling doesn't seem out to get you. Everyone that has had to deal with me has been more then helpful. Last month, I was on an early call window. I checked my sched. the night before and found out I was to DH to IND, my home, fly to MCO and back then DH to DTW and finish. I got permission to early DH and delay DH, so I went home the night before. The best part on my way to the airport, I get a call from scheduling, I hope you are still at home, your MCO flight canceled, so you can just go back home and you are off for the day!!! The person went as far to say that they were sorry they didn't get ahold of me earlier. Just one great person I have dealt with.-+

NoSoupForYou

At DAL we use NavTech PBS, which if I'm not mistaken is the same as NWA uses. Ours might be a bit newer version with more preferences, but that's a good thing.

And I agree- it's really nice.

Soup

NoSoupForYou

Yep, we have that at DAL too- a pilot-to-pilot online Swap board. Alternately, you can put your trip out for pickup if you just want time off- i.e. you don't necessarily need to swap.

Note that that applies to regular lineholder trips- I'm not sure about swapping Reserve days (I haven't sat reserve in years, but maybe a DAL reserve could chime in?)

Soup

newKnow

Next!!!!!!

Superpilot92

Not like the regionals is it! Everyone in scheduling has been fantastic and they routinely go out of their way to help. I even got a gift certificate and a nice letter from the CP for helping out the other day. Not to mention a call from the scheduling supervisor thanking me. I have been very impressed thus far.

Justdoinmyjob

No. If you are an ATL based pilot, you are contractually allowed a hotel room for all training events. You just call the hotel person and tell em you need a room. You actually don't even have to be a commuter. Say a guy lives 1-2 hours away but has an "A" period sim (0530 show,) Instead of having to get up at 0200 or there abouts, he just gets a room at the training hotel and gets to sleep a little while longer.