No good news
09-17-2009 | 03:20 PM
#21
What's A Weekend?
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 803
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From: Big...So Big
If we count it that way: Comair July 2005-1800 pilots, November 2009-1000 pilots
09-17-2009 | 03:28 PM
#22
What's A Weekend?
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 803
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From: Big...So Big
And that surprises you?
I wish my company would "downsize" some of the outsourced express flying. Maybe that would keep more of us on the mainline property. That's what most of us got into the pax-hauling airline business for in the first place, right? We didn't plan to make a career out of regional flying. Regionals have become career airlines, but at the expense of mainline.
I've been furloughed once, and I am about to be furloughed again. I understand the stress, the anxiety and the pain associated with losing one's job. This is no slight against the furloughed Comair pilots.
But are you truly surprise that a Delta crew has no idea what's going on at Comair? They've got their own issues to worry about. Not the least of which is how much possible downsizing may occur at Delta due to the merger, or the expansion of express flying.
Let's put the shoe on the other foot. Let's assume Delta starts a significant reduction of mainline domestic capacity, while at the same time expanding the express side of the equation. While Comair pilots enjoy better schedules, early upgrades, the return of all furloughees and maybe even hiring, how much sympathy or concern will the Comair pilots sincerely have for the furloughed Delta pilots?
The "I got mine" attitude is disappointing, but hardly surprising.
Hog
I wish my company would "downsize" some of the outsourced express flying. Maybe that would keep more of us on the mainline property. That's what most of us got into the pax-hauling airline business for in the first place, right? We didn't plan to make a career out of regional flying. Regionals have become career airlines, but at the expense of mainline.
I've been furloughed once, and I am about to be furloughed again. I understand the stress, the anxiety and the pain associated with losing one's job. This is no slight against the furloughed Comair pilots.
But are you truly surprise that a Delta crew has no idea what's going on at Comair? They've got their own issues to worry about. Not the least of which is how much possible downsizing may occur at Delta due to the merger, or the expansion of express flying.
Let's put the shoe on the other foot. Let's assume Delta starts a significant reduction of mainline domestic capacity, while at the same time expanding the express side of the equation. While Comair pilots enjoy better schedules, early upgrades, the return of all furloughees and maybe even hiring, how much sympathy or concern will the Comair pilots sincerely have for the furloughed Delta pilots?
The "I got mine" attitude is disappointing, but hardly surprising.
Hog
What is the "Express side" of Delta? Do you mean the "Connection" side?
Last edited by Lowlevel; 09-17-2009 at 03:53 PM.
09-18-2009 | 04:13 AM
#23
Looking for a laugh
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,099
Likes: 0
Anderson - Delta
United Healthcare
NWA
Continental
Bastain - Delta
Acuity Brands
Delta
Gorman - Delta
Greyhound
Krispy Kreme
NWA
Becker - NWA
Dow Chemical
Campbell - Delta
Harrison & Ford
Continental
Hauenstien - Delta
Alitalia
Continental
Halter - Delta
American Airlines
Ernst & Young LLP
Hirst - NWA
Minnesota Twins
Burger King
KB Home
NWA
Newman - NWA
Numerous Law firms and Government positions
Walker - Delta
Continental
Frontier - Horizon (old ones)
TV journalist - KWGN
Wise - NWA
Seems to me that these folks change companies faster then a frat boy on a saturday night. None of them are true "company men." Don't expect them to run Delta just like NW was run.
09-18-2009 | 04:46 AM
#25
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,088
Likes: 0
From: B757/767
While I feel for the DAL pilots, and it is sad when someone loses their job, I really hope that DAL goes back into bankruptcy in the near future (and out of business). That company will never come out of their 1970's attitude of running an airline. The only difference between now and then is that NWA now runs DAL. Look at the management now in place, at Delta, Comair, Compass, Mesaba, NWA...all NWA management.
What is the "Express side" of Delta? Do you mean the "Connection" side?
What is the "Express side" of Delta? Do you mean the "Connection" side?
Plus, I'm not sure I understand your comment about DAL never getting out of their 1970's way of running an airline. How much DAL flying is outsourced? Doesn't DAL fly a Hub & Spoke system? Are we following the rules of de-regulation? Do our CAs make enough to take a months paycheck and buy a car?
The Glory Days have been over for a long time. I'm sorry that Comair is taking such a beating, but I think DAL managements actions have more to do with adapting to survive rather then sticking to a 1970's business plan. JMO
Cheers
09-18-2009 | 07:03 AM
#26
Doing One Pilot's Job
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,887
Likes: 122
Originally Posted by Justdoinmyjob
Campbell - Delta
Harrison & Ford
Continental
Harrison & Ford
Continental
09-18-2009 | 07:29 AM
#28
Portuguese Troubleshooter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Burrito Bomber
Regionals won't he hiring for a while, at least 3 years I'm guessing. There may be some small classes here or there to cover attrition, but the growth that was seen at regionals from 2003-2008 is over. The 50 seater is basically dead, & with limits on larger RJs regionals will continue to shrink.
My 2 cents.
09-18-2009 | 07:35 AM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
As badly as mainline management wants domestic flying scoped out to 70-80 seat jets, I have the feeling as soon as they start increasing capacity again the role of regionals will increase again. With the amount of clout the senior union members have, I have a bad feeling more scope will be sacrificed for pay.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
09-18-2009 | 07:46 AM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: CA
While the industry was falling apart, I remained optimistic mostly because I didn't want to believe things were so bad. Despite the great move in the stock market, the drop in oil, and the supposed return to growth in the economy, there seems to be no good news at regionals right now.
Maybe it's the surest sign that a bottom is in for the industry, but where is the good news? Does any actually exist? I was hoping we might see some sustantial recalls and even a touch of hiring in 2010, but I'm starting to get the sense 2010 may need to be completely written off, at least for any hiring.
If I'm wrong and just too negative, point me in the right direction. I suppose shorter duty days could require higher staffing, but even that wouldn't take place until late next year.
Maybe it's the surest sign that a bottom is in for the industry, but where is the good news? Does any actually exist? I was hoping we might see some sustantial recalls and even a touch of hiring in 2010, but I'm starting to get the sense 2010 may need to be completely written off, at least for any hiring.
If I'm wrong and just too negative, point me in the right direction. I suppose shorter duty days could require higher staffing, but even that wouldn't take place until late next year.
this post is only one real life account and may not reflect your own personal experience[/SIZE]
I feel pretty good right now...even though I'm back on reserve duty, I live in base, am not called every day (in fact, only flew once last week), get paid a better than ave. salery (though underpaid for a pilot/responsibility), and enjoy doing my job when I have to. It's not always like this, but right now it's pretty good. I think 2010 will be ok with hiring at nominal levels but better than now. I also think that 2011 will be better than 2010, and 2012 will be great. but that and $1.25 will get you a coke in the airport (vending machine, not restaurant). Now, if you are just now trying to get into the field, all bets are off...who really knows... If you are a CA, who's young, at a stable regional (
) then you may be in a good spot. Even a relatively senior FO should be sitting in a good position 2-3yrs from now.
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