It's Official...The 717's are going to Delta

[Hamfighter]

We'd better accept that dog of a TA fast so we don't loose the 717s!!!

 

[humveedriver]

let's see exactly what this means, what exactly will happen and when, and what can be done about it before we go off the deep end.

+1. ^^^

 

[BoilerUP]

The tentative agreement also provides Delta with additional flexibility to acquire up to 70 larger two-class, 76-seat regional jets as the Boeing 717 aircraft are delivered to Delta. Delta currently operates 255 larger two-class regional jets; the fleet will be increased to 325 aircraft.

Maybe its my Kentucky public school education, but something isn't adding up here.

Delta's current scope allows 153 76 seaters; add "up to" 70 more and you get to the TA limit of 223. There are 88 717s, and coincidentally enough when you consider 1.25 narrowbodies for every 1 76 seater you get 70 new 76 seat jets.

Okay great! But what about those DC9 retirements they mention in the press release?

The way I read it, management will add 88 narrowbodies worth of 76 seat growth, but the net gain in mainline aircraft will be less than 88 planes...?

Also, the TA would restrict 50-70 seat small jets to a grand total of 125...right? So how do they get to the 325 number in the press release?

 

[texman]

I agree bubba.

 

[C601]

As I said back in Feb, the Boeing 717 never met SW's fleet requirements...

 

[Luv2BFlyin]

Let's see exactly what this means, what exactly will happen and when, and what can be done about it before we go off the deep end.

Just a thought.

Bubba

Or, we could get out in front of it and be better prepared for the next round of LUV and WN version of the Golden Rule that we're about to recieve.

 

[Ty Webb]

Bubba's right. The 717's had to go, but hopefully, this can be handled in a way where people can feel they were taken care of, not taken advantage of.

 

[WildcatFan]

I don't think this deal will affect staffing levels at either airline. It's a 1:1 717s to 737s for SWA, and probably a 1:1 Diesel 9s to 717s for DAL. The only question remaining is how the accelerated phase-out of 717s from the ATN side affects captain seats and vacancies at SWA.

My gut always told me from the git-go that we'd never see a 717 in canyon blue.

My gut tells me you didnt read VDV's letter very close. He said lift will be the same, not a 1:1 conversion of 717s to 737s. Our fleet will shrink. Count on it.

 

[777forever]

Maybe its my Kentucky public school education, but something isn't adding up here.

Delta's current scope allows 153 76 seaters; add "up to" 70 more and you get to the TA limit of 223. There are 88 717s, and coincidentally enough when you consider 1.25 narrowbodies for every 1 76 seater you get 70 new 76 seat jets.

Okay great! But what about those DC9 retirements they mention in the press release?

The way I read it, management will add 88 narrowbodies worth of 76 seat growth, but the net gain in mainline aircraft will be less than 88 planes...?

Also, the TA would restrict 50-70 seat small jets to a grand total of 125...right? So how do they get to the 325 number in the press release?

Net gain of mainline aircraft will be more than 88 planes. 100 737-900s on the way. Net gain of regional aircraft will be -200 50 seaters plus 70 76 seaters= total net gain of -130 DCI. That flying will be replaced by 717s

Win Win

 

[Lear70]

Or, we could get out in front of it and be better prepared for the next round of LUV and WN version of the Golden Rule that we're about to recieve.

Which is what I was advocating a month and a half ago and is what got ALPA started developing contingency plans for this... it was the last thing I did on the NC before shuffling to CCC.

That's why we have a plan in place, and now that we know how the deal is structured, the MEC can move forward dealing with it. The only thing we know for sure, with the Southwest response to Jim's letter of yesterday, is that it's not going to be anything quick in terms of "benefit" to offset this massive loss.

Be patient, and try not to get your blood pressure up over things we can't control. They made a business decision that is different than what they told us during negotiations and road shows. How they deal with that and the fallout in terms of employee morale that they have to integrate remains to be seen.

I remain hopeful that something positive comes of this for all of us...