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Old 10-09-2008, 08:18 PM
  #161  
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Originally Posted by Carl Spackler View Post
Dead on Kevin. Are you sure you're a Delta pilot??

Carl

Yeah, I'm a Delta pilot. I live in Chicago, though, so I'm acually looking forward to commuting to MSP or DTW - maybe I'll get to fly with you!

Should be fun, eh?



Originally Posted by Kingbird87 View Post
I'm an over 50 NWA guy that applied at every airline I could think of, plus Customs, Lockheed Production Test, and even a three letter organization that begins with C and ends with A. I was hired in early 87 by Western, American, Piedmont, Gulfstream Production Test, and NWA. Delta canceled my Western class, American had a 17 year B scale, Piedmont, where I really wanted to go, announced the US Air merger and I had the chief pilot tell me to think hard about it, hint, so I went to NWA with no B scale, and at that time more than a few pilots were leaving Fedex, Delta and American to come to NWA. Up until the LBO by Checchi and Wilson, NWA was top tier with Delta. I had an opportunity with a class action suit to go to Delta about 18 months later over the Western class cancellations and declined. The point of all this drivel is that to you Delta brothers, we are probably more like you, and you are more like us than any group in this screwed up business.
Not to get your shorts in a knot, but in hindsight it looks like I did OK. The no B got the first 6 years out ahead, the return on our concessions in 92' paid off as a positive, made Captain in 9 years, was making 219 an hour on the bus before the flag went up, got a very nice equity stake, and kept some portion of my defined benefit plan. And now a merger. I'm thankful it is with Delta, believe me. We will add to your legacy,and bring some surprisingly good ideas, and by and large hope to finally feel appreciated by those we work for, and with.
We won't be backing up to the pay window with any feelings of low self worth. We are a pioneering airline, probably more than any legacy carrier in many ways, and RA knows more about this than anyone. We can't wait to contribute to Delta!
The SLI is out of my hands, all of our hands. I know I'll take some hits. After it comes out, we'll be Delta as much as you. No, we didn't start there, but I'll get to see squadron mates, the little brother of my best friend, classmates from college, and guys I taught as an IP. Bring it on!

Kingbird 87

Great post!

FWIW I was hired at USAir the week they bought Piedmont and ended up starting as a Piedmont pilot.

I spent 3 years there flying with "boy Captains" younger than me before I saw the light and wangled a Delta interview.

I look at the Nicolau award and shudder everytime...


Good luck to us all!



Kevin
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Old 10-10-2008, 02:50 AM
  #162  
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Originally Posted by Kingbird87 View Post
I'm an over 50 NWA guy that applied at every airline I could think of, plus Customs, Lockheed Production Test, and even a three letter organization that begins with C and ends with A. I was hired in early 87 by Western, American, Piedmont, Gulfstream Production Test, and NWA. Delta canceled my Western class, American had a 17 year B scale, Piedmont, where I really wanted to go, announced the US Air merger and I had the chief pilot tell me to think hard about it, hint, so I went to NWA with no B scale, and at that time more than a few pilots were leaving Fedex, Delta and American to come to NWA. Up until the LBO by Checchi and Wilson, NWA was top tier with Delta. I had an opportunity with a class action suit to go to Delta about 18 months later over the Western class cancellations and declined. The point of all this drivel is that to you Delta brothers, we are probably more like you, and you are more like us than any group in this screwed up business.
Not to get your shorts in a knot, but in hindsight it looks like I did OK. The no B got the first 6 years out ahead, the return on our concessions in 92' paid off as a positive, made Captain in 9 years, was making 219 an hour on the bus before the flag went up, got a very nice equity stake, and kept some portion of my defined benefit plan. And now a merger. I'm thankful it is with Delta, believe me. We will add to your legacy,and bring some surprisingly good ideas, and by and large hope to finally feel appreciated by those we work for, and with.
We won't be backing up to the pay window with any feelings of low self worth. We are a pioneering airline, probably more than any legacy carrier in many ways, and RA knows more about this than anyone. We can't wait to contribute to Delta!
The SLI is out of my hands, all of our hands. I know I'll take some hits. After it comes out, we'll be Delta as much as you. No, we didn't start there, but I'll get to see squadron mates, the little brother of my best friend, classmates from college, and guys I taught as an IP. Bring it on!

Kingbird 87
Kingbird, Nice post,it's not as entertaining as some but your logic and wisdom are very refreshing.
There is a whirlwind coming this spring when all the movement starts,I hope we all can have your attitude for all of us are truly along for the ride.
Finis72
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Old 10-10-2008, 05:51 AM
  #163  
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Originally Posted by finis72 View Post
Kingbird, Nice post,it's not as entertaining as some but your logic and wisdom are very refreshing.
There is a whirlwind coming this spring when all the movement starts,I hope we all can have your attitude for all of us are truly along for the ride.
Finis72
I've heard the wet dream the network guys have but I'm thinking there won't be that much movement until at least SOC. Fences will help move it back even further (the bigger the better). The company wants this here and that there but the training costs involved in network's dreams would be huge. We'll see new trips and flying for sure but I don't think you'll see large scale aircraft movements for some time.
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Old 10-10-2008, 06:17 AM
  #164  
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Originally Posted by Kingbird87 View Post
I'm an over 50 NWA guy that applied at every airline I could think of, plus Customs, Lockheed Production Test, and even a three letter organization that begins with C and ends with A. I was hired in early 87 by Western, American, Piedmont, Gulfstream Production Test, and NWA. Delta canceled my Western class, American had a 17 year B scale, Piedmont, where I really wanted to go, announced the US Air merger and I had the chief pilot tell me to think hard about it, hint, so I went to NWA with no B scale, and at that time more than a few pilots were leaving Fedex, Delta and American to come to NWA. Up until the LBO by Checchi and Wilson, NWA was top tier with Delta. I had an opportunity with a class action suit to go to Delta about 18 months later over the Western class cancellations and declined. The point of all this drivel is that to you Delta brothers, we are probably more like you, and you are more like us than any group in this screwed up business.
Not to get your shorts in a knot, but in hindsight it looks like I did OK. The no B got the first 6 years out ahead, the return on our concessions in 92' paid off as a positive, made Captain in 9 years, was making 219 an hour on the bus before the flag went up, got a very nice equity stake, and kept some portion of my defined benefit plan. And now a merger. I'm thankful it is with Delta, believe me. We will add to your legacy,and bring some surprisingly good ideas, and by and large hope to finally feel appreciated by those we work for, and with.
We won't be backing up to the pay window with any feelings of low self worth. We are a pioneering airline, probably more than any legacy carrier in many ways, and RA knows more about this than anyone. We can't wait to contribute to Delta!
The SLI is out of my hands, all of our hands. I know I'll take some hits. After it comes out, we'll be Delta as much as you. No, we didn't start there, but I'll get to see squadron mates, the little brother of my best friend, classmates from college, and guys I taught as an IP. Bring it on!

Kingbird 87
Great post Kingbird. The douche that started this whole thing about NWA pilots being subpar because they didn't make it past an interview is an idiot. He also advocated last month the overthrow of DALPA, ALPA, and stated that he hated all DAL pilots who supported said organizations. The last I knew that was a scab statement in that he advocated the destruction of the union. He ended up switching names but the psychology of his posts follow. He is a carp swimming among the prized fish here. Needless to say, both sides have their hot-heads. You have yours drumming up the overthrow of your MEC and we definitely have ours. However, the large majority of the guys make up the best pilot group I've ever had the privilege to fly with and I know the same could be said with NWA.

I had a job offer back in 2001 from two companies: a freight one and DAL. I went with DAL and will never look back. Back when I was at my new-hire banquet, the Dir. of Ops asked how many guys had interviewed with UAL. Nearly 80% of my class here had. Did that make them any lower for not going to UAL? No. It meant they were men and couldn't use a ladies room. Back then that was the kiss of death over at big U.

Welcome aboard.
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Old 10-10-2008, 06:23 AM
  #165  
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I think you will see movement. Fences or no fences will determine whether we dead head or re-base.
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Old 10-10-2008, 07:21 AM
  #166  
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Originally Posted by acl65pilot View Post
I think you will see movement. Fences or no fences will determine whether we dead head or re-base.
Thanks for all the good info. From what I've heard the "Plan" seems to change daily (or more often) putting flight ops in complete reactionary mode. I'd like to see them just try to get these two behemoths together before they start to turn everything upside down and squeeze the last nicklel out of it. The consequences of change is not always immediately apparent. DL has a history of thinking they can make much better use of someone else's equipment. The kind of thinking that took us from the #1 carrier in LAX after the Western merger to our fairly dismal position in the second largest city now. 3 year fences will be good for all and may keep these guys from making some very bad decsions.
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Old 10-10-2008, 07:21 AM
  #167  
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Originally Posted by Hawaii50 View Post
I've heard the wet dream the network guys have but I'm thinking there won't be that much movement until at least SOC. Fences will help move it back even further (the bigger the better). The company wants this here and that there but the training costs involved in network's dreams would be huge. We'll see new trips and flying for sure but I don't think you'll see large scale aircraft movements for some time.
Betcha dollars to doughnuts that before the end of 09 we will see GRU-ATL-NRT,ATL-TLV on the 744.ATL-Lagos and ATL-Satiago or other SA destinations on the 330,DTW-PVG on the 777 and SEA-NRT on the 7ER and that's just the tip of the iceburg.DL will move to strengthen the DL hub to NW hub flying and rumor has it that the 9 works well in ATL, the 320/319 works well in CVG,the MD-88/90 works well in MSP/DTW and the beat goes on.Lots of DH untill SOC.Again it's my opinion but I've heard lots of rumblings.
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Old 10-10-2008, 07:29 AM
  #168  
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Originally Posted by finis72 View Post
Betcha dollars to doughnuts that before the end of 09 we will see GRU-ATL-NRT,ATL-TLV on the 744.ATL-Lagos and ATL-Satiago or other SA destinations on the 330,DTW-PVG on the 777 and SEA-NRT on the 7ER and that's just the tip of the iceburg.DL will move to strengthen the DL hub to NW hub flying and rumor has it that the 9 works well in ATL, the 320/319 works well in CVG,the MD-88/90 works well in MSP/DTW and the beat goes on.Lots of DH untill SOC.Again it's my opinion but I've heard lots of rumblings.
Thanks. DHs and rebuilding trips is fine. I just hope they don't do things that are very difficult to reverse and have a large negative effect on the employee group until they've taken the time to fully analyze.
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Old 10-10-2008, 01:21 PM
  #169  
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Originally Posted by Scoop View Post
Carl, Well as our equity share rapidly approaches zero hopefully less guys will stick around for it and more guys will retire as planned. I'm still trying to figure out if this is good or bad. On one hand more guys will retire. On the other hand my equity share will also be worth squat - Oh well such is life.
I always think it's a better deal to have the guys retiring. I hate to sound so pessimistic, but airline equity...sucks. You should sell it all on the day you get it. That's what I have always done.

Originally Posted by Scoop View Post
Oh and another thing - "don't sell yourself short - your quite a slouch." In other words words NW is a solid airline with a great history and when this is all said and done hopefully the new Delta/Northwest will continue the proud tradition (prior to BK) of both companies.
Thanks for that sentiment. I said earlier that this is a merger of equals and I firmly believe that. It seems like most mergers have been a case of a strong airline trying to drag some near liquidation entity across the finish line. Clearly not the case here, and I think the other majors that didn't pull off what we've done, are going to be on the outside looking in for a long time.

Thanks for the Caddyshack quote...poor Judge Smales.

Originally Posted by Scoop View Post
One more thing - yours truly was turned down by UAL - one of the best things that ever happened to me, but really who gives a crap. Any guys that got turned down by DAL and hired at NW or turned down by NW and hired at DAL are now part of the team - case closed.
Scoop
Wow...dodging a bullet comes to mind!

Thanks for the post Scoop, nice job.

Carl
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Old 10-10-2008, 01:35 PM
  #170  
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Originally Posted by satchip View Post
Sorry for the big post but I don't know how to do the multiple quote thing.
It's hard to tell you this in a post because it involves the use of HTML language, and every time you use an example of how to do it in a post, it activates the language. I'll try to do it this way and see if it works:

1. Press the QUOTE button on the post you are interested in.
2. When the text box comes up you'll notice HTML language at the very beginning. The HTML language is located in between a "[" symbol and a "]" symbol. The symbols themselves are also part of the HTML code.
3. For every part of a post that you want to quote, you must start the portion of the post with this HTML code - including the "[]" brackets.
4. You must end the part of a post that you want to quote with the HTML term "[/quote]" (not including the quotation marks).

You can do this for one word, one sentence, or the whole post of everything you're interested in quoting. If you miss a single [ or / or anything, the quote will not work so it's best to use copy and paste. It has to be done exactly as I've outlined above, or the stupid computer won't act the way you want.

Carl
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