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Originally Posted by JetFlyer06
Furlough at a new combined NWA/Delta is definitely a possibility, anyone who thinks otherwise is living in a dream world. I do however, agree that they are doing the right thing by not continuing to run classes and then potentially have to furlough brand new hires. There are a large number of senior NWA pilots sticking around past 60 to see if they can get any kind of equity payout if a merger would take place. I would speculate that once they see that's not the case or they get their payout that they would be gone (or medical out). You have to remember the Northwest brand is also at stake here and I think there are a good number of senior NWA guys who would never want to wear a Delta uniform.
Delta has new aircraft arriving which is a good thing, but parking NWA 9's could offset any gains in the pilot ranks in that department (at a merged carrier). NWA (for now) is increasing utilization of the existing 9 fleet so hopefully that again helps offset the parked aircraft some. In the end I hope for the best for both pilot groups and no furloughs. Let's try to get the best of both contracts into one which would in turn lead to better working conditions for all of us.
I remember hearing that our management wanted to keep a fair number of -9s flying. They are paid for and the mx expenses aren't to bad. Plus, it feels in the desperate gap for the 100 seater we need. Short term, even with oil this high, I could see them keeping them around. We are taking delivery of 22 aircraft this year. 6 more 777LR that need 4 man crews, I think 6 more 757ER that need 3 man crews and 10 737-700's. Between these aircraft I estimate another 400 pilots that are required. Even with the 5% reduction in domestic capacity, some of that was due to parking RJs, the other will be offset and even enhanced by the addition of international routes.
Furloughs are always a possibility, but post 9/11 they happened because the airlines were highly inefficient with their staffing. I think the average DAL pilot was flying somewhere around 45 hours a month back then. We had 10,000 pilots on payroll and only 20% of our flying was international. Now we average around 70 hours a month, 50% of our flying in intl, and we have over 7,000 pilots. NWA is in the same boat. We have dramatically improved our efficiency and as a result I predict any furloughs (keeping my fingers crossed) will be minimal. I don't say that lightly as I was previously furloughed here. I don't want the merger to happen, but if it does, I hope that we gain all of the expected synergies (whatever they may be) and continue our expansion.