So the contract to extend the 50 seat flying for 5 more years is meaning less. Why would Delta get rid of the youngest 200's in the fleet when all they have to is not renew as much 50 seat flying from other DCI carriers when there contracts come up. And by the time 9E's contract is routed through BK it will be likely be at the price Delta wants to pay for labor. I don't believe the pilot group will shrink to 1200.

 

We shall see. Either way, not my problem anymore. I've already given notice. Deuces, 9E

 

Remember 9E doesn't own those aircraft, Delta does. They can move them to whatever regional carrier they want to.

 

I agree with you, but like the other guys said, what's the point of extending our contract for another 5 years. Pinnacle was already in BK and Delta provided the finance and extend the contract? Is it just to give us a warm and fuzzy feeling? If Delta knew they were going to shrink our fleet there's no reason to extend our contract for another 5 year.

 

I can remember in 2002 when guys at ASA and Comair said "What's the point of bringing in Chautauqua, Mesa, and ACA when Delta already owns us and can charge whatever they want for our services? Bottom line DL has 9E by the short hairs and wants to keep as many players in the game competing with each other as possible. They are going to spread the 200 reductions around to keep everyone competing with each other. They'll use leverage with Bombardier to return several 50 seaters for each CRJ 900 purchased. Bombardier will go along because they want to fill order books, and can refurbish the 50 seaters into business jets or send them to China.

Bottom line, when you are just a provider of labor, and do not own your own aircraft, you are at the complete mercy of the mainline partner. 9E is at the mercy of the pointy headed accountants in Atlanta, and whatever cold blooded calculation they see is best for Delta is what they will do, and do not care one bit about its effect on 9E or its employees. The 70 million they gave 9E in DIP financing is a drop in the ocean for mother Delta.

 

Ask NWA the same question why they extended the Avros at Mesaba 10 years, just to park them a couple months later. There is no honor or truth in corporate America anymore. All that is left is very short sighted greed.

 

The reason Delta gave 9E a new contract is because they were able to get it cheaper. Remember how 9E was making money on the -200s before? Not anymore!!! That's why 9E wants concessions. Delta: "We will give you the DIP money if you sign a new contract with us in which we pay you a lot less money to operate the -200s" What choice did 9E have?

Shouldn't be hard for Delta to offer a more profitable CPA if the current one is so bad and do some 2 for 1 type trades to get rid of -200s. Especially if the current CPA is a money loser. If you were running 9E, would you trade 5 money losing -200s for 1 profitable -700/900? Hell ya you would. 5-1 anyone? 20-1? Just depends how many -200s Delta wants gone.

 

Delta wants 150 gone....

 

From today's fleet count it's more like 190 gone.

 

With 12-03 out, they are still short 40 some FO's. Around 120 new 200 FO slots and we are only losing 61 or so Saab FO's. With Current attrition rates, by the time the Q's are gone our staffing levels might be just right. What's your guys' take on it.