I couldn't give you a quoted source but I recall reading a while back that DAL had preferential slots. Even though the delivery line is full, Boeing keeps some phantom slots open for customers like DAL. If the slots are not exercised than they go to the next party in line. This allows companies like DAL, AMR and such first rights.

Delta has 45 delivery positions on the 777 available between now and 2015. They will have no trouble getting slots additional slots if they want more. As just happened with the AMR order if Delta wants any type of aircraft in Boeing fleet they will find a slot and get the aircraft to Delta. The VP of flight ups once stated that they could get any airframe whenever they wanted it as one of Boeings largest customers.

Yes, DAL can get these jets.

Fellas,

Not trying to pick a fight here or poke anyone in the eye but since many of us have 25-30 yrs potentially at this company.....If DAL chooses to cancel the 787-800's and replace the 74's in five years with 777's, what does that do to potential fences from the SLI if they do happen on those airframes? Do they go away? Thanks since I did not remember reading NWA proposing alternatives to this possible scenario.

Well,

Hate to tell this to your checkbook........but this is what most of the Red/Green disputes were over.

Was the new jet a new airplane type (good for green, 1 for 1) or a replacement airplane (good for red with old airplane fences).

So, don't know. Get your popcorn............:D

Ferd <-----post merger guy then, premerger guy now;)

I suspect that will depend on the award and how it is structured.

What would you say to fences?

Exactly! Plus, let's all pray Bloch writes better than Roberts did. Poorly written awards led to many of the Red/Green disputes.

I agree if it happens it will probably require an interpretation. If the extra 777's were exchanged for pre-merger NW 787 positions, I would expect position credit at some sort of ratio similar how possible additional 757/767 positions are being handled. It does not really matter the aircraft, but who brought the positions, which of course still awaits the SLI methodology, C&R used.


Personally I think this article is a shot across the bow to Boeing, and RA is going to use the 787 delays for maximum leverage for as many additional aircraft as possible while still maintaining 787 first in line poistions (that's the options as well). Even if DAL doesn't need them right away, they'd be nuts to give that first in line option up to a competitor to use against them.

I'm not for fences on anything. Even now. If we are one pilot group we should not have divisive policies that exclude a part of our membership. We are all paying the same dues to the same organization so someone is essentially paying to have themselves excluded from the group and its benefits. If we have relative seniority and dont rebid the system then people will still hold what they hold and folks would move around the system as AE's are done