I think CA Arnie was so friendly was because DALPA and their pilot group is ****ed their mgmt and 9E ALPA brokered a back door interview agreement. I can't wait till our guys get a chance to interview, they are going to get your hopes up and send you packing right back to 9E. They will fly down our list and MAYBE hire 10% of it. They'll get their rocks off for wasting your time and getting you excited about the possibility of being at DL, but at the end of the day, they really had no intentions of bringing you on board. Just my optmistic opinion

They could only hire 10% but that would mean they'd have to interview 90 of us a month (which sounds like a lot of work). Then when they reach the bottom of the eligible list... they'd have to start over again at the top.

Got to love these guys that can predict the future.

I meant to say that the most senior pilot who flowed in 2008 was around #70 so the top 69 turned it down. Once you turn down the flow and someone junior to you flows, you are no longer flow thru eligible. I'd guesstimate that the most junior XJ pilots who flowed, pre SSI, was around #170 give or take a little. So to answer your question, approx 170 XJ pilots have had the option to flow with only 54 takers. I think there have been 6 flow groups of 9 pilots per group.

Nobody said it was gonna be easy...
 

I hope that you are right. Flow will destroy the character and strength of Delta Air Lines. Many of us have already seen it 1st hand. The entitlement attitude, youthful naivete and general lack of professionalism is disturbing. If one wishes to join the ranks of Delta, then work hard, study hard, and for heaven sakes, fill out an application. Otherwise may I suggest Virgin America...I think they may be hiring.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight:rolleyes:

Why is it that many "Delta pilots" look down on everybody at other airlines like they're God"s gift to aviation? Douch bags can be hired through the normal interview process as well. I don't know which is worse,"The entitlement attitude" as you called it, or arrogance. To me they're very simular

I think the problem is that they all had to work hard to get there and meet all the hiring requirements. These short cuts don't sit well with these guys, which is understandable. The culture is real and they want it to continue the way it has been. O ya plenty of other majors have guys' who look down on people. It's not just Delta... Sky Nazis anyone?

I don't get it, Delta has one of the least stringent requirements in the industry. I would guess that 90% of the current regional population meet those minimums.

Minimums now weren't necessarily the minimums most of these guys got hired under. So both sides have a misunderstanding of each other IMO.

Irie man...

First, how do mainline pilots feel about flow backs? Also, how do regional pilots measure up to your standards? As far as I know, the Pinnacle eligible people must have been a Captain, so we're not talking about a bunch of newbs. I thought twenty thirty years ago a good number of folks got hired on young, and without prior experience as part 121 captains. I'm not sure what attitude problems you are seeing at Delta. I say these things sincerely, not flame baiting.

Many pilots would like the career progression to mainline, and also want to give the best customer service while they work at their regional---regionals that have arguably more constraints due to the very cut throat nature of the regional whip saw.

I agree wtih your point of entitlement attitude wtih a flowthrough interview. But also for the record, VX isn't an easy place to get hired at. Getting an interview is tough enough, but then you have to consider the acceptance rate, which is usually 10-55% of intervieews. Those that are here have worked hard, studied hard, and filled out an application, etc. (Everyone at VX earned their job).

Oh ok, thank you.

Just meeting the minimums doesn't get you an interview and sure doesn't get you past the interview.

Pinnacle to exit Chapter 11
 

A bankruptcy-court judge on Wednesday cleared regional carrier Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (PNCLQ) to leave Chapter 11 as a unit of Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), a decision that streamlines Pinnacle's operations and costs in an increasingly consolidating airline industry.

"There was a time where the future of this case was in doubt," said Judge Robert E. Gerber of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, referring to moments earlier in the case where Pinnacle would have likely folded without loans from Delta, its only substantial creditor and customer.

Pinnacle said it expects to be out of bankruptcy by May 1, and that the only regulatory approval it needed--an obscure one from the U.S. Department of Transportation--won't delay the deal.

"It has been a rather turbulent last 12 months for us," said Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP's Damian S. Schaible, a lawyer for Pinnacle, which filed for Chapter 11 protection last April.

Pinnacle used its bankruptcy to cut deals with its three main unions that call for deep concessions among those workers. It also focused on cutting its operating costs in the ever-competitive airline industry, and ended up in the wings of Delta, its only remaining customer.

The deal calls for Pinnacle to nearly double the number of large planes it flies for Delta to 81 and to phase out its fleet of smaller planes. As part of a compromise, Pinnacle won't have to pay fees to Delta for returning those smaller planes, which should save the company more than $100 million. Pinnacle also will cut the number of routes it flies for Delta, focusing only on more-profitable ones.

For unsecured creditors other than Delta, as well as union groups, Delta will deposit $2.25 million into a trust. When the claims are sorted out, those creditors will divvy up that money.

"At certain points, it looked like this company wasn't going to come out of bankruptcy," said Morrison & Foerster LLP's Brett Miller, a lawyer for Pinnacle's official committee of unsecured creditors. Earlier in the case, a group of equity holders--who will be wiped out by the plan--vehemently fought against the Delta loans.

Pinnacle, based in Memphis, Tenn., operates flights between hubs and smaller cities for Delta, although it used to fly planes for other carriers.

The company, which employs more than 5,000 people, plans to move its headquarters to Minneapolis.

Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review covers news about distressed companies and those under bankruptcy protection.

9E is a long way from being out of the woods completely... I wouldn't for a NY min trust Delta or, the plans they say they have for you.

Slats, Delta can't back out of the bridge agreement, without compensating the Pinnacle pilot group. The agreement is between DAL and 9E pilots for 7 years of bottom feeder salary for 40 CRJ900s. 9E or whatever its new name is, is going to be around for at least another 7 years. The SSP requires Delta to hire 12-20 guys a month, mandatory in addition to the flows.

or, they could only hire pilots that know the difference between "flow" and "guaranteed interview." But then you would not be wearing that fancy double breasted suit....;)

But I do agree with the rest, there is an alarming entitlement attitude and naiveté, not just at the regionals though. The whole industry.

What happens if Delta hires a fraction of those it interviews, and burns through the list in, say, 3 years?

It's Delta. They can always find an easy way out. And with 9E not being a public company, there is no one Deta is responsible to when 9E is a privately wholly owned company. They can do whatever they see fit. Past history has shown every single Delta wholly owned regional has been screwed badly. Many 9E pilots have defended the concessions as that they are not the lowest, GoJets is still worse. Well take that fact and ask yourself, if GoJets can still do it cheaper, why have 81 planes end state for 9E?

Is that what you're advocating, or do you have the inside scoop? Since you work for Delta maybe you could tell us.

Bla bla bla, when mesaba went through banruptcy in 05-06 we kept hearing how our core business was going to be 46 Saabs. As soon as we were out guess what? Suddenly we were getting 36 900's You can't take these guys for face value during a bankruptcy process. Especially one that's been choreographed by Northwest as in Mesaba's bankruptcy or Delta in Pinnacle's bankruptcy. They try to paint the worst picture possible. You are correct that history has shown that Delta $hits on their wholly owned regional partners. However, there are several contracts that are up for review in the next several years. And it would be in Delta's best interest to keep Pinnacle alive and well to continue the whipsaw against them. Also, based on Delta's history since the Comair strike it is plain to see that now they don't put all their eggs in one basket. That's why I don't think they'll award all those 900's to Go jets.

Then they have to start all over again at the top of the list.

It's actually 81 CRJ900s.

If Delta did break the bridge agreement they would owe wages for 7 years to all Pinnacle pilots.

The only way around this is a 1113 motion in US Bankruptcy court.

As history has shown that is very much a possibility.

He who pays, gets their way. It's a motto of life that always seems to be true.

Uhhhh no they don't. So your saying they are just going to go through it time and time again until there is no one left? And the point of that is?

Maybe you should read the agreement before saying something stupid. It clearly states there will be two guaranteed interviews.

Not quite


Exhaustion of Hiring Commitment.
Delta’s hiring commitment under Section 3.e. will be exhausted and become null and void upon the date the most junior Pinnacle pilot on the seniority list as of the date of ratification of a new restructured Pinnacle pilot collective bargaining agreement is offered an opportunity to participate in the SSP in seniority order, provided, however, that any Pinnacle pilot who retains a repeat opportunity under Section 3.d. upon the date the hiring commitment is exhausted, or would obtain an opportunity to repeat the process within twelve (12) months of such date, will be afforded the opportunity to repeat the process upon his request. Such repeat opportunities will be scheduled at a minimum rate of 20 per month for the number of months in which Delta anticipates offering new hire pilot positions.

Repeat Opportunities to Participate in the SSP.
An eligible Pinnacle pilot may be provided an opportunity to repeat the SSP if the pilot:
i. did not successfully pass any objective testing element of the selection process, or
ii. is potentially qualified to be provided with a conditional job offer but is not competitive with other applicants who had previously or are being provided with conditional job offers.
Such opportunity to repeat the SSP will only be afforded if the Pinnacle pilot maintains his eligibility as described above, requests to repeat the process and at least twelve months have passed since the previous date of participation in the SSP. A pilot who would otherwise be considered for a repeat opportunity will forfeit any such opportunity in the event he fails to request a repeat opportunity upon the exhaustion of the SSP, as set forth below.

Wow, it's your kind of analytical reading skills that got the "yes" vote passed... You see gold and we see shi+

Uhhhh yes they do.

I was never a believer in the SSP, I went to a recent job fair and talked to Delta about the SSP, I wanted to get info about jumping seniority and subjecting myself to the entire interview rather than waiting for my number at 9E and just doing partial interview. I was told my union would be informing us with that info, BUT was then told the time frame they "hope" to have completely gone through the entire 9E seniority list. I was very surprised as to the timeline they stated.. And no it was not anywhere near 10 years like shyguy thinks.. More like half that. I know, I know--- "hope" is a big word....

I hope it works out for you guys, I know back in the "Continental Express" days a lot of guys got screwed but who knows about this deal, it very well may work out great, or not, only time will tell. As far as I am concerned if you're good enough to fly Delta passengers on a CRJ for PNCL, you are good enough to do it in a Dal 737 etc.......

I do wonder about Richard Anderson though, he was Lorenzo's lawyer so I wouldn't exactly call him a "friend of labor" or a friend of PNCL.

Either way, good luck! I personally don't think PNCL is in a bad spot

Don't forget this little gem....................

ii. is potentially qualified to be provided with a conditional job offer but is not competitive with other applicants who had previously or are being provided with conditional job offers.

A reason not to hire RJ FOs, not when Delta is interviewing and hiring RJ CAs from other airlines.

The un-hireable personalities included? Remember, 9E has taken guys without even having any interviews. Straight from an approved college program into a 9E newhire class. There's a big difference between RJ flying and mainline flying. On a RJ, you can hire a bad personality and not have to put up with it for more than an hour to two hours. At Delta, you have 737, 75/76, 777, etc, and have to fly with guys for 7-12+ hours. Here, you need to make sure you weed out as best as possible all the bad personalities.

Nope.. read the bridge agreement. Once they've been through everyone that qualifies, it's over.

So, is it 20 min for interview or in class?

Chances are you see shi+ in almost every situation you encounter. There are a few of you guys on here. Well, guess what? It's over. It is what it is now. What's the point in trying to bring people down when maybe they've accepted it and are moving on?

So does Delta have to hire any or just offer interviews? Could they run through the entire list and only hire a handful? What outs does Delta have to weed out the undesirables?

This is their out...