Yeah, Umm, I don't think that's going to happen unfortunately. There will always be a percentage outsourced. The trick is to reduce that percentage as the 50s are retired, and to not allow the outsourcing of larger aircraft.

In addition....it is my understanding the the new-hire activity that was planned to coincide with the two transition/upgrade classes has also been canceled as well.

That's pretty much my point. There is a path to this, but DALPA is not interested in taking that path. This is precisely how they got us all into this mess to begin with.

....Correct.

As a member of DALPA I have to disagree with your take on DALPA's approach. While it is true that it was short sightedness on their part that got us to this point, the members respsonsible are no longer here. What we do have is positions within the LECs being taken over by those that have been labeled, "Scope Hawks." It isn't business as usual anymore.

I hope you're right, but then we've heard this all before, haven't we? We shall see what happens this time.

Just remember, all management has to do is threaten the senior guys (like shrinking the heavy fleet... hmmm JAL?) and DALPA will fall in line, I promise you.

just a point to think about.... ASA "Atlantic Southeast Airlines" flew many of the routes they fly today when they were independently owned and simply provided feed as a code share to DAL.... so in some sense... on some of those routes I believe they could make a claim they were THEIR routes...... just more to stir the pot!!!

This is true. ATL to CSG, ABY, CHA, (MCN), VLD, BQK, AGS, DHN, MGM, AVL, TRI, GSP, PFN, VPS, GTR, HSV, MEI, MSL; and MEM to MEI, GTR, HSV are all routes ASA "owned" before becoming a Delta Connection Carrier in 1984. These are all now operated by someone in the Delta "family"

Check out the 1984 route map, at the time we signed on with Delta:
Atlantic Southeast Airlines

You do realize we have JV language in our CURRENT contract that prevents this, yes? This isn't our first JV, so we will see the same if not better language for this JV as well.

Careful with the innuendo. I'm not Joe Merchant. You're not busting any bubble, because as I've already stated, I hope it DOESN'T happen. I do not wish ill will on your pilot group. I want us to mutually coexist.