Lots of issues that still need to be resolved via specific DAL policy and frankly the 4th floor is operating at 110% capacity. To add another item literally tilts them. DAL has typically done baby steps to get where they want to be. But...the pace of technology has increased and now it is consumer driven verse being enterprise driven. This is an enormous issue for every large corporation since the worker bees/clients/consumers just do what they want and absent a corporate policy...they are free to go. The iPad is similar. It is a PED and as such, the FAA has no problem for its use above 10,000 by any pilot for the use of their duties (see MAR Flt INfO) and they also supplied the process for any POI to approve the iPad as an Class1 device.

In DAL's case they don't have a policy regarding the use (eg, can't plug in during flt, when it can be used and what apps to use). I'm betting DAL will have to buy the iPad and ensure you don't have email app on it (sole reason for them to purchase). Thirdly...they don't have a technology fix for updating the pubs. While there are several workarounds and also several companies they could outsource with, DAL is keenly attached to doing their own in-house technology fixes. Overall, these issues are difficult to resolve at a corporate level and rather than just let the prisoners run the prison---they say no, we're looking into it.

Frankly, it doesn't get us much in terms of cost savings and productivity so its pretty hard to make the business case. Just look at the airside kits. That case was a no-brainer but it took years and years to make it happen. Why? Because the 4th floor is pre-occupied with other issues and pilot pubs is pretty low on their list.

Great post, and I totally agree.

A EFB does not provide enough of an ROI versus air side kits. When you add a maintained and scheduling function the ROI goes though the roof. Because we are in the process of changing the backbones of these two systems, we will probably have to wait for them to develop the apps or software to get the functionality they want.

I am fine by that, because frankly I am not too sure I want a device attached to me that can reroute me at the stroke of "enter."

Then what's the purpose of the iPAds again? If I can't use it to fly an approach, I don't see the point in carrying a company "computer" that has the pubs that are already on board in paper form to begin with..

dis re gard'

First time poster, long time reader.
Kind of an off topic question. I doubt I am going to get anything awarded on this AE, most likely displaced if anything. But after I enter my AE preferences, it asks if I would like to retain my vacation or something along those lines. Also mentions something about pay protection.
What does this mean? Does it mean that if I choose to retain my vacation, I will NOT receive the award even though my seniority can hold it?
Or does it mean that someone junior to me may go to training before me?

I looked at the contract and couldn't find the information anywhere. Thanks for any info!

There fixed it.

Thats not a correct statement.

The iPad is in fact FAA approved at some operators instead of paper charts, so long as there are 2 iPads in the cockpit...
Jeppesen Mobile TC App
Jeppesen even did rapid decompression tests from 51,000 ft on the iPad
Articles


FAA:
Alaska is the one with the "iPad lite" approach where the iPad cant be used below 10,000 ft...

Cheers
George

Thx. I was pretty sure that used to happen. Here's another one for you. I believe that we can move X days on our schedule as long as the manning is there...correct? If so, how do we do this. Been awhile since I was on reserve and it appears this will now be the norm!

On icrew, Schedules, PCS, leave request, move reserve off days. I think it runs about 6 times a day, I would have to look to be sure. If you are looking to move a golden day you lose it. It has to meet all the Min and Max days on or off for your cat., and it won't let you work more the 6 days in a row.

You will be awarded a AE regardless of which vacation option you choose. If you opt to keep existing vacations the company can train you out of contractual order to preserve your vacation and would not be required to pay protect you at a higher paying rate until you actually convert on that aircraft.