Delta has zero sway over what Skywest flies. Skywest however wanted to fly for Delta. In the agreement they signed they stated they will abide by the scope restrictions in Delta's contract.

 

Its not as simple as that. The 48.5 remains. The only thing that was changed was an option to go as low as 46.5 on the trans atlantic JV, but only if at that point 650K global block hours were also protected, which was WAY more than otherwise would have been. But more importantly, the 2% drop would then have to be measured yearly and always be in compliance, as opposed to a 4 year period that only has to be in compliance one year every 4.

So to say it was a simple "selling" of 2% in that one JV isn't what happened at all. Now that said, I still think our scope, pre TA and post TA, is lacking in that area. I'm not against international JV's, and honestly you'd have to be an idiot to think a US airline could fly the globe like its 1960 with no foreign partners. Not going to happen, not now not ever again. JV's are vital. But they need to be structured to protect our side of them. The TA scope makes more improvements in that area than it gives up. But we still have way more work to do.

The jumbo RJ growth was smacked down, and SEA was at least protected from future non Alaska poaching. That was more a tying up of a loose end so it couldn't bite us later than it was a current scope improvement, but every little bit helps.

 

DL my friend. But you already knew that.

You wanna fly DL code? You have to be in compliance with the DALPA PWA. End of story.

 

SKYW is perfectly free to go it alone, like IndyAir, and fly whatever they want wherever they want to their heart's content. But if they want to fly DL code, they may only do so IAW the DALPA PWA. There is no other way for them or anyone else to fly the code, because all DL code flown is subject to the DALPA PWA. DALPA chooses to allow some of that to be outsourced, so if you would like to bid on some of that flying that is permitted, you may respond to the next RFP and if you are selected you may then fly it IAW our restrictions.

 

I actually do see what you're trying to do. You're venturing deep into sophistry in order to head fake profundity on the issue. DL pilots own the code, period. Now, does that mean we own the letters D and L and no one else can use them in the alphabet together in any context? Well gee I guess you got me there. :roll eyes:

You want to fly DL code, you must do it IAW the DALPA pilot agreement. Period. We do allow some of it to be outsourced, and IMO too much. But that is our choice.

 

I don't want to be the CEO. The CEO is an at will employee of the BOD, although to be fair in the industry they generally do get amazing parachutes regardless of the circumstances of their departures. Pilots at DL (and UAL and many other airlines) have contracts that bind the airline (and its code) to them far more securely than any executive enjoys. If an airline wants to change their CEO they can do so on a daily basis. If DL, UAL, SWA, etc, even their CEO, wants to deploy the airline's code, he or she may only do so IAW their pilot's contract. Not every pilot group owns their code though. Some aren't even unionized at all, and a few others that are don't have adequate protections in their CBA to own and control it. Good thing DL and many others do.

 

I think we have figured out why some are having such a hard time with this concept. SW is used to being able to take parts of their "contract" and just ignoring them. But that is the thing with a true contract. It's legally binding and can be upheld in a court of law. And it can be taken to court by the representatives of the DL pilots. Some are just so used to SW doing whatever they want, they will get spun up over semantics like if the pilots own their code.

 

Gloopy is right.You're practicing sophistry or being deliberately obtuse. Then when you get called on it, you resort to ad hominems.

Admit it, Delta pilots do have a say in who flies what. At least agree that the lawyers and judges agree.

 

Not sure but could Skywest feed for example United with 90 seat ac and feed Delta with 50 seaters or is that against scope for Delta pilots?

 

It's against Delta scope, but if it did happen, it would certainly be decided in court what happens. The problem with agreements that put people out of work is they generally get shot down in court, or the Delta pilots would get some sort of monetary scope payout. However, I think if Delta could get rid of Skywest, they would, but at this point in time, they simply can't.