CAL vs. DAL

[BID]

News flash, not everyone at CAL is a scab. Two BK's under its belt and you are going to get a crappy contract and that is what we have. I have flown with some great pilots here.

At least we are holding the line with scope clause, what did you guys do?

Don't forget it was an ex CAL guy that has turned your CVG hub around and is responsible for much of your international expansion plans. But many believe DAL is throwing in too much capacity (more heavy AC) with the international routes and will lose their shirts? I do not know, you guys are not out of the woods yet. Hell neither is CAL for that matter.

You sound like a professional pilot so don't forget the gear pins and ease up a little. CAL will improve, we are not a regional. At a regional you can only achieve so much. But here at CAL we are tired of being at the bottom so we can only go up!

 

[Ex737Driver]

Since you know so much about the "old" CAL I figured I would let you in on what our customers think of us now.

Best Airline for Flights to Western Europe
Executive Travel Magazine's 2004 Best in Executive Travel Awards (September 2004)
Best Airline for Flights to Mexico
Executive Travel Magazine's 2004 Best in Executive Travel Awards (September 2004)
2005 Best Airline Alliance – SkyTeam
Global Traveler Magazine
No. 1 U.S.-based Airline
Nikkei Business Magazine survey (December 2003)
Best Transatlantic Airline
2001 OAG Airline of the Year Awards (February 2001)
Top International Airline
National Airline Quality Rating Study (April 2000)
Best Foreign-flag Carrier to North America
Nikkei Business Magazine survey (December 1999)
Top Airline to North America
Travel Trade Gazette Europa (March 1999)
BusinessFirst Premium Cabin

Best Executive/Business Class
OAG Airline of the Year Awards (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
World's Leading Business Class Airline and North America's Leading Business Class Airline
2005 World Travel Awards
Best Business Class among U.S. airlines, scoring 23 out of 25 stars for amenities and service
Business Traveler (September 2003)
Best Business Class among U.S. airlines, scoring 23 out of 25 stars for amenities and service
Business Traveler (September 03)
Best Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific Business Class among U.S. airlines
Conde Nast Traveler (October 2002, October 2005)
Best Short Haul Executive/Business Class
2001 OAG Airline of the Year Awards (February 2001)
Best Long Haul Executive/Business Class
2001 OAG Airline of the Year Awards (February 2001)
Best U.S. Airline for Business Travel
SmartMoney (February 2000)
Best Business Class among U.S. airlines; 14 of 16 stars for seats, service, food and entertainment
Wall Street Journal, "Coffee, Tea or Massage" (November 6, 1998)
Workplace, Management & Operations

Airline of the Year
OAG Airline of the Year Awards (2001, 2004, 2005)
Best Airline Based in North America
OAG Airline of the Year Awards (2001, 2004, 2005, 2006)
Best North/South America Airline
Irish Travel Trade Annual Awards (January 2005)
No. 45 Most Admired Global Company
FORTUNE magazine (March 2003)
No. 1 Most Admired Airline
FORTUNE magazine (March 2006)
No. 2 Most Admired U.S. Airline
FORTUNE magazine (March 2004)
No. 2 Most Admired Global Airline
FORTUNE magazine (March 2003, March 2006)
100 Best Companies to Work For
FORTUNE magazine (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Top U.S. Network Carrier
Zagat's 2005 U.S. Airline Survey and 2005 International Airline Survey
Most Opportunities for Hispanics
Hispanic magazine (January/February 2004, January/February 2005)
George Bush Intercontinental Terminal E: "Best Airport Project of 2004"
Texas Construction magazine (December 2004)
Corporate Diversity Honor Roll
Latin Business Magazine (Summer/Fall 2004)
Training Top 100
Training Magazine (February 2004)
Airline of the Year
Air Transport World (1996, 2001)
No. 1 On-time Performance in 2000
U.S. Department of Transportation
No. 1 Best Managed U.S-based Global Airline
Aviation Week & Space Technology (June 2001)
"Best Airline in the U.S."
FORTUNE magazine (December 1999)

Customer Service & Marketing

No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction
Frequent Flyer/J.D. Power & Associates (May 2000), for short
and long distance flights
No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction
Frequent Flyer/J.D. Power & Associates (June 2006), Among Traditional Network Carriers in North America
No. 1 in Customer Service
SmartMoney Customer Service Awards (July 2001)
No. 1 Web site
Forrester PowerRankings (August 2000); NPD New Media
Services for easy navigation and organization of info.
(August 2000); Freddie Awards from InsideFlyer (April 2001)
OnePass: Best Frequent Flyer Program
Laptop Magazine's Editor's Choice Awards (October 2004)
Best Frequent Flyer Program – Domestic
Executive Travel Magazine's 2004 Best in Executive Travel Awards (September 2004)
No. 1 Airline Innovator of Info. Technology and
No. 2 out of 500 companies
InformationWeek 500 List (December 2001)
'Extra Mile' Award for creating an innovative solution for OnePass reward redemption
Budget Travel (October 2005)
Best Frequent Flyer Program - Long Haul
Travelchannel (February 2004)
Best Frequent Flyer Program
OAG Airline of the Year Awards (February 2001)
OnePass
Program of the Year
Best Elite-Level Program*
Best Award
InsideFlyer's Freddie Awards (April 2001)
*InsideFlyer's Freddie Awards (April 2001, April 2002)
Best Ground Services Long Haul
Travelchannel (April 2004)
No. 1 in Customer Loyalty
Brand Keys Survey, NY-based research firm
George Bush Intercontinental Terminal E: Best Airport Project of 2004
Texas Construction magazine (December 2004)
George Bush Intercontinental Terminal E: "Best Airport Restaurant Design"
Airport Revenue News Best Concessions Poll (2005)
Presidents Club – George Bush Intercontinental Terminal E: Priority Pass Lounge of the Year
Priority Pass (2005, 2006)
Liberty International Terminal C
No. 1 New York City-area Airport, Best Gate Experience, Best Concessions
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey customersurvey (2002)
Best Concession Design, Best Customer Service, Best Concessions Management Team, Most Unique Services and Best Overall Concession Program
Airport Revenue News Best Concessions Poll (2005)
Liberty International Terminal C
No. 1 New York City-area Airport
Best Gate Experience
Best Concessions
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey customer survey (2002)
Liberty International Terminal C
Best Concession Program Design
Best Overall Concession Program
Most Unique Services
Airport Revenue News Best Concessions Poll (2004)
Liberty International Terminal C
Best Retail/Specialty Program
Airport Council International-North America (May 2002)
2002 Business in the Arts Award
Business Community for the Arts/Forbes (October 200

DAMN!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[pkober]

I've been at CAL for over a year now and like it. I don't know much about DAL but I'm sure that some of the DAL pilots on this thread will never tell you that anything bad is happening at DAL. Bankruptcy and possibly being bought by another carrier isn't a bad thing, I guess. I know being at an airline that's bought worked out good for me, TWA.

CAL's not perfect. The scab thing is blown way out of proportion. I don't like scabs but the POS ALPA national said it was okay for them to get back in the ALPA fold. Way to hold the union line, ALPA! I have flown with a handful of scabs in over a year. It's not like every captain is a scab. People who say that are just uneducated. I am confident that our contract will be improved in 2008.

Some one said earlier to take the first one that offers you a job. If you think it would be best to move to a different airline then start applying again. I think if you came here you would like the work environment and career progression.

In the end, do what's best for you and your family and don't make your decision based on what some one on Flight Info says.

 

[Cobra]

I've been at CAL for over a year now and like it. I don't know much about DAL but I'm sure that some of the DAL pilots on this thread will never tell you that anything bad is happening at DAL. Bankruptcy and possibly being bought by another carrier isn't a bad thing, I guess. I know being at an airline that's bought worked out good for me, TWA.

CAL's not perfect. The scab thing is blown way out of proportion. I don't like scabs but the POS ALPA national said it was okay for them to get back in the ALPA fold. Way to hold the union line, ALPA! I have flown with a handful of scabs in over a year. It's not like every captain is a scab. People who say that are just uneducated. I am confident that our contract will be improved in 2008.

Some one said earlier to take the first one that offers you a job. If you think it would be best to move to a different airline then start applying again. I think if you came here you would like the work environment and career progression.

In the end, do what's best for you and your family and don't make your decision based on what some one on Flight Info says.

That one line has to be the single most best read I have ever seen in this forum. Period.

 

[IAHERJ]

Pat Fabin,

I'm well aware of Delta's rich history. I attended Auburn where several classmates of mine were sons of Delta pilots and I learned a lot about the airline from those who were 2nd and even 3rd generation Delta pilots. That being said, it seemed as though(and your are certainly proof of it) most Delta pilots are oblivious of other carrier's history and achievements. Maybe it has been part of the culture over the years(management not wanting delta crews in vans with other airlines etc.).

Continental was one of the most admired airlines from the 50's to the very late 70's and hired the pick of the litter for decades under the leadership of Robert F. Six. Woolman himself admired Six and has been quoted over the years as saying that most airlines seemed to always be cathing up to Six and Continental. This airline was flying ILS approaches to 200, 1/2 when Delta was installing autofethering props on it's DC-3's. Continental offered the most luxurious cabins on 707's and 747's domestically than any airline our there and there are many quotes from Boeing executives throughout the 60's anad 70's who will attest to this. Continental pilots were among the highest paid for decades until Lorenzo successfully broke the union in '83. To make the statements that you made only looking back to 1983 as your benchmark year for Continental's existance is a joke. I suggest you do a bit of homework before making blanketed statements as harsh as the ones made in your post.

Do I want some things changed here at CAL? You bet!! I'm dang glad to be here and will defend my carrier when it is warranted. I recognize Delta's heritage and compliment those who were lucky to work under the management teams who fostered the environment that existed in those days. I'm sorry it has gone away for a while. I hope it doesn't take as long as it has at Continental to return to the way it should be.

IAHERJ

 

[talespin]

Wow did a CAL guy f@^k your wife?

And your dog? Lighten up Francis!

 

[rf285]

I regards to that Delta pilot kid thing, I can say that there are quite a few of us over at CAL, and more that want to come here. Both are good airlines, but I see CAL as the stronger carrier with a brighter future at present.

 

[Vne]

CAL for now.
DAL has just 'now' entered the "new reality of the airline business" and still has a long way to go. Like at least 1 more BK before it gets its act together. Their head was in the sand for too long. CAL is way out front in the industry of the 21 Century.

 

[Pat Fabin]

Hey guys, the question was asked....and do you really think I'm going to root for 'the other team'?

C'mon.

Yes our scope clause sucks. When it comes down to it, Delta pilots were among the first groups to let the cat out of the bag. BK has further weakened what protections we had. I haven't seen anyone come out of BK with an improved clause. I know CAL has come to you recently for scope relief and you wisely told them to pound sand...it'll be interesting to see what happens come section 6 time, cuz the company will surely be looking for relief there.

Robert Six was a great CEO....but I don't think anyone can compare life now vs. the days of regulation. Even the worst airline job back then was probably better than being at FedEx now!

Prater is a standup guy...he'll do well at ALPA as long as he doesn't compromise his values just to stay in political favor. Time will tell, and I hope he's up to the challenge. If Woerthless ever had a backbone, it was surely removed at some point...perhaps in the secret basement lab in Herndon.

And yes, if anyone is actually making a decision based on Flightinfo rants, they should have their head examined.

Oh yeah, as for all those awards...really nice to decorate the headquarters with but they don't put food on the table. I remember Gordon braggin about all the JD Power awards in the mid-90s, while he handed us at Express $30 profit-sharing checks...yay. I guess the 10 years of being beaten down by bad management lowered everyones expectations so much that a JD Power pin and $100 on-time bonus once a month was satisfying. I never thought it made up for the fact that he never compensated his employees properly.

Delta has been winning a bunch of awards lately and thats great...glad to see management accomplishing something, but I'd rather have my pension back.

 

[Pat Fabin]

And my wife was not having an affair with a CAL pilot... althought I did catch her making out with a young, svelt CMR FO in our LGA lounge.