Okay, fine...on some days Pinnacle operates more flights, on some days ASA operates the most DCI flights...

Anyway...

Don't expect this to happen at all. Our leadership, while they have a horrible relationship with front-line labor, they have a wonderful relationship with DCI Leadership.

That said, if these fools hired upwards of 100-150 pilots, our performance would increase exponentially almost within a week as pilots moral and attitude towards the Company - and their lack of response to the horrible staffing - shifts as we start to see results from our leadership instead of the usual "Thanks for all you do..." bull**** memos.

I don't agree.

The whole operation, from the maintenance hangar, to the gates, to the ramp, to the flight crew is run on a thin margin: no spares.

Hiring 100-150 pilots would make it easier on the other pilots, but it wouldn't solve the systemic problem of an organization that is losing money and trying to operate on too-thin margins to minimize it's losses.

The only real answer to the performance problem is persuading DAL to make it worth our while.

Be careful about thinking in those terms. If Delta is looking to get rid of 50-seat lift (and they may well be looking at that) things could get ugly fast.

I'm not picking on you or anyone, but right now with fuel prices in limbo they may wish to cut capacity. Getting rid of a few dozen 50-seaters by playing the performance card might be just the ticket.

They're cutting Comair's lift and I'll bet a few years ago everyone thought they were untouchable too.

I think no contracted fee-for-departure carrier is 100% safe right now.

Isn't ASA still wholly owned? On top of that, ASA's pilots are among the highest paid 50 seat pilots as well. I really do hope the flying stays at ASA and not one of the underpaid regionals.

Bah, I was thinking Comair, disregard my last post. I still don't know how to edit or delete posts...

You guys forget we are EXPENDABLE. Delta does not care about our internal problems with staffing and schedules. A14 - DO - Completion Factor -etc are the bottom line. They could easily dilute us in Atlanta and move Pinnacle right on in. It probably will not happen but there are no guarantees in this business. We all have the same CRJ's with the same paint jobs.

If Delta is legitimately concerned about performance, why would they replace ASA with PCL?:confused: No slam intended, but PCL is going through a merger, they've just changed their CEO, and their performance is nothing to write home about either? At their new contract are they substantially lower cost than ASA?

ASA is not the only regional that is having staffing issues, maintenance issues, and performance issues. ASA's MTD Completion is 97.9%, which is right around the middle in the DCI comparision list. We are however last for A-14 and D-0. I'm thinking some of the MEM cuts will equalize the staffing problem a little.

Don't get cought up in all these rumors. We are in the middle of a merger and getting a joint contract. I wouldn't be surpised if this crap was started by some type of mgmt. to create fear.

As a Comair F.O. (for now) I hope you guys can avoid the Comair treatment.

Sorry to say, but this "project" has been ongoing for well over a year and a half. It's why Claude Sullivan left Ford Harrison to work with DAL management and Lee Moak. DALPA want's the flying for their mainline pilots and they have been working on the plan of how to load shed all DAL regional "partners."

Anyone who thinks Moak cares about the regionals is sadly mistaken. His only concern is mainline. No one flying DAL colors is safe.

Ernie Gann was right about them sixty years ago. Nothing has changed.