Happy Thanksgiving to all my Delta brothers and sisters. May your trips be safe, layovers grand, and for those lucky enough to be with family enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving all! Besides the usual things that I am thankful for: Good Health, two teenage girls who seem to stay out of trouble (as far as I know anyway), still on my first marriage etc. I am also thankful for a few DAL specific things this year:

As a DAL south guy - I am especially thankful that we merged with NW. After seeing the USAIR fiasco play out and looking at what UAL/CAL might hold I think we should all indeed be thankful.

Profit Sharing - Although no way does it even come close to making up for what we lost/gave away/surrendered, it will still be nice to pocket some serious coin February 15th.

L & G thread - What an awesome reource to get obscure questions answered - usually within minutes and often with references - Thanks guys. Yeah, the rumors and college cheerleader pictures are not too bad either!



Scoop

Heyas,

You guys counting on 717s are living a fantasy. Those birds are going to SWA, even if it's just to park.

AirTran, and now SWA, has first dibs on those birds.

IMHO, they'll cut them up before they allow them to be used to compete against them.

Nu

Delta has not purchased or leased a 100 seat aircraft since 1983. That is 27 years ago. They simply don't have a interest. They love to trot out the 100 seat powerpoint presentation when they need something from us and put out rumors that a purchase will happen any day. The reality is that they do not feel they can operate that size aircraft at the mainline. They have pointed out many times that you can operate a 150 seat aircraft for almost the same cost as a 100 seater. In 2023 Delta pilots will still be talking about when the 100 seater is coming. The fact is after 20 years of management saying its coming any day I think perhaps its not going to happen. They have zero interest in the 717. They have been offered that aircraft many times by both MD and Boeing at great prices and passed everytime. Delta is once again looking at reducing fleet types not increasing them.

As far as the 717's that SWA will acquire they will not cut them up when they don't want them. They are mostly leased and will be returned to the lease holders. Even if they owned them they would not cut them up. There is no shortage of airframes. Anyone who wants aircraft can get them. They would simply sell them if they owned them. In this case they will end the leases and anyone who wants them can have them.

First of all Happy Thanksgiving all!

This AFA stuff makes me laugh. I was on a trip a while back shortly after the AFA had withdrawn their bid for representation (while they were trying to change the voting rules). We went to the layover with the FAs one of which had tags all over his bag that read "ask me about the AFA", so I did. I said "didn't you just withdraw your bid for representation?". He started stammering and sputtering in front of the other crewmembers about how the voting rules weren't fair, blah blah blah. I just enjoyed messing with him and kept asking him how the AFA could represent the FAs when they had withdrawn their bid for representation. He didn't have an answer other than to whine about the voting rules and give me dirty looks.

Now the vote is over, they lost and are still whining that it wasn't fair. Reminds me of a 3 year old throwing a tantrum. Have a good turkey day all.

sailing, you're dead on accurate. I'm convinced DAL is counting on moving the scope line to permit the regional's to fly 99 seaters in C2012, in exchange for a reasonable pay raise for us. My answer is an emphatic NO, but I'm not convinced the majority will agree with me on that. I certainly hope so. If ALPA considers that one, I'll be switching sides....

Wow. Pineapple Guy and I agree on something. I knew we had something in common. I just couldn't figure out what it was until now.

You are very naive to think ALPA won't consider giving up more scope. History repeats itself.

you may as well switch sides now. ALPA will consider a larger raise in return for 100 seat scope.

ALPA will have to consider any offer with large pay raises. If they didn't they would not be doing their jobs. I don't believe they woud accept such an offer, but they will look at it.

I don't think the company will expend any effort in getting us to move the scope line. They know its not going to happen. If its even in their opener it will only be as a throwaway item. The are happy with what they have. The nines will go away. More 90's will come and there will be no 100 seater at the mainline or DCI. The next big narrow body move will be the replacement of the buses. They are waiting to see what engine options might come available on the 737. Don't hold your breath on anything happening fast. Other then used 90's nothing new both narrow body or wide body is coming until after 2015.

If alpa even comes to us and mentions further scope relief it's time to dump them for sure. Not one more seat, jet, or job will be given up!!!

Happy Turkey day guys!!