comair class

[prodigal]

Thanks skid,
I appreciate your sentiments. In any case, whatever happens I hope you guys don't take a raw deal. I'll be proud to be there sometime.

 

[AvJunke]

What happened?

Wow! This thread went from benign to complete pessimism pretty quick. Here is to hoping those of us with class dates hear something soon. Cheers!

 

[prodigal]

I didn't mean to sound pessimistic. On the contrary, I'm quite optimistic, albeit frustrated. I just wanted to get some idea of the best guess of those on the inside about how things might play out.
Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[General Lee]

Skiddriver,

I think there will be more CR7s in your future, but Dalpa will ask for other things---like no more furloughs or some recalls etc. But, I think we all know that Delta wants more 70 seaters, they will just have to trade something for them--it's called negotiations.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[AvJunke]

I certainly did not intend it to sound as if I was pointing fingers there, I logged on to check the update of class date progressions and all of a sudden my class date is in jeopardy. About as much fun as a swift kick in the.............you know.

 

[skiddriver]

Skiddriver,

I think there will be more CR7s in your future, but Dalpa will ask for other things---like no more furloughs or some recalls etc. But, I think we all know that Delta wants more 70 seaters, they will just have to trade something for them--it's called negotiations.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Gen,

Well, I hope you're right, but I'm not holding my breath. Those 70's are going to be bought and deployed, no doubt. Who they go to is a decision that the bean counters at Mother D will make.

BTW, I jumped to work on a 723 and home on one of your 767's. As usual, both legs were very friendly and welcoming. Glad to see that you guys are still able to put all of the group rancor aside. Hope we continue to do the same.

edited for typical pilot typos

 

[General Lee]

Skiddriver,

I don't think that is ever brought up on the jumpseat, and it shouldn't be. The jumpseat is a life line to many pilots at each of our airlines, and nobody should fool with that. I am always nice to every Comair jump, and usually ask them about operational questions, like "How do you like that CR7? How does it land?.....etc" My whole deal on this board is trying to help our furloughs and learning more about this industry. I don't dislike the Comair pilots as a whole, only some of the MEC members and their cronies. Regardless, any of the Comair or ASA pilots are welcome onboard, and there should be NO ARGUEMENTS--period. Leave that for the boards....

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Wacopilot]

70's going where?

Uhhhhhhhhh.........Last time I checked, CMR had firm orders for 2004. Has that changed? Go talk to HR and they will tell you 130 pilots in 04'. For those of you hired, you have a job. Just be patient. The games have begun and unfortunately you are in the middle.

Waco....

 

[jarhead]

I believe Delta (Leo Mullin) can deploy those 70's to any DCI portfolio carrier he wishes them to go to. CMR is a shell company; Delta pulls all the strings.

 

[General Lee]

That is true. He could always sell the remaining CR7s to Skywest and have them flying for DCI at a lower cost. Look what happened to our 737-800s. Something to think about.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Wacopilot]

IS Skywest flying your 738's?

It's kinda different.....The hiring model represents firm 70 deliveries for 04'. Yes I know that DL can take them away, but that would really show their true colors. It's like this. 2+ years ago we gave DL a black eye and now they are trying to save a little face. To little to late.

Waco

 

[jarhead]

Waco

I am in total agreement with you on that point. It is my opinion that the "threat" to put the 70's on other property than CMR, is a hollow threat, to try to gain concesions from the CMR pilot group.

You've all heard about the "snowball's chances in he!!" That's about the chances of the pilot group biting on that "bait". The 70's make no ecconomice sense at all to go anywhere other than to CMR. I was only saying what Leo "could" do if he wanted. But, he's made dumb ecconomic moves in the past. Can you all remember 89 days of a dumb ecconomic move by Mullin?

 

[skiddriver]

Re: 70's going where?

Uhhhhhhhhh.........Last time I checked, CMR had firm orders for 2004. Has that changed? Go talk to HR and they will tell you 130 pilots in 04'. For those of you hired, you have a job. Just be patient. The games have begun and unfortunately you are in the middle.

Waco....

Yes, that's changed. Call establishment planning. If Delta redirects the '04 CR7's, there will be no new-hire classes for the foreseeable future. I spoke to both HR and EP on this issue last week. And unfortunately, they aren't hired until they show up for the first day of class. I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade here, but wishful thinking isn't a good replacement for informed planning. Keep an ear out for the results of our concessions talks. It will mean a lot to the folks who have successfully passed the interview stage.

Good luck.

 

[marqmarq]

Next year

I am in indoc now. As of Friday we were told that the plan, of course always subject to change, is to add 8 a/c next year. With attrition and retirements that is probably about 100 for next year. I think we'll all have a lot more to talk about in November after the company's deadline for concessions. There are 3 more classes scheduled this year (2 nov, 1 dec).

 

[PositiveRate]

Prodigal, et al...

A lot of the guys with hire dates between 7/02 and 10/02 waited 6-10 months for a class date. I got lucky with just a six month wait. Things are just getting back to normal here with respect to long distance swims in the pool.

If you have the yes letter, you're good to go. Just be patient. Be proactive, though. Check in every couple weeks. Make sure you're on the short call / alternate list. I did this and was called on a friday morning for a monday class.

The one negative side to a slow down in growth / hiring is that the reserve time for the last 100 fo's is going to be much longer than it has been this past year. Regardless, comair is a great place to be. Your wait will be well worth it in the long term. You'll find that we do it better than most, if not all, at our level. I think Delta knows this....the glass is half full or we're all screwed, depends on who you talk to, but i think things will be just fine.