Comair Facing Reduced Flying With Delta

[JECKEL]

Today marked yet another cancelled Captain upgrade vacancy award at Comair.

The straight poop from the puppet management, that appeared in a written statement on Comair's EPIC web page, is that Delta is completely rescheduling it's flying for Comair in 2008 and there appears, at this time, to be no need for new captains.

By the way, Comair was junior manning captains this past weekend because of a shortage of available crews.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

With fuel prices, why isn't Chautauqua is worse shape with their 37 seat erj-135's? What is going on up there in CVG and JFK

 

[king10pin02]

With fuel prices, why isn't Chautauqua is worse shape with their 37 seat erj-135's? What is going on up there in CVG and JFK

Chautauqua has already agreed to start parking the 135s starting in August, one or two per month. It was part of the agreement to get the E175s to replace the current 170s, signed many months ago.

 

[N813CA]

This is what it says on EPIC


Cancellation of Vacancy Bid 2007-05
07-Dec-2007Due to the ever-changing landscape of our flight schedule, pilot vacancy bid 2007-05 has been cancelled. Delta is currently making decisions regarding the 2008 schedule that may have an impact on our 2008 staffing requirement. Communication regarding the 2008 plan and the resulting staffing requirements will be shared as soon as it becomes final.

 

[samballs]

This is what it says on EPIC


Cancellation of Vacancy Bid 2007-05
07-Dec-2007Due to the ever-changing landscape of our flight schedule, pilot vacancy bid 2007-05 has been cancelled. Delta is currently making decisions regarding the 2008 schedule that may have an impact on our 2008 staffing requirement. Communication regarding the 2008 plan and the resulting staffing requirements will be shared as soon as it becomes final.

See, Soaper isn't lying when he says were over staffed he just figures he'll keep us understaffed until Delta hates us enough to take some of our flying, then we'll be properly staffed!

 

[cavu4u]

1. Bid Cancellation

2. COLAs for Pilots

YET

3. Junior Manning

... things that make you go hmmm!

 

[JonnyKnoxville]

This might be an overly optimistic thing to point out but the statement on EPIC did not say there would be a reduction in flying. For all we know, Delta could be increasing our flying dramatically. The people in the General Offices might choose not to upgrade anyone until they know for sure how many captains they may or may not need.

I hope it is not more bad news or I might have to do something drastic like becoming a street captain at Peanukle.

 

[Hovernut]

Here's what our System Chief Pilot put ourt today in upgrade class...which may be hanging on by a thread now:

1. CEO Selveggio was sent here to sell us.

2. Goldman Sachs has been retained to market our sale. Polishing the turd includes re-carpeting the Kremlin...really...we couldn't walk on it today while going to the SOCC tour.

3. No one's standing in line to buy us.

4. Driving force for sale is pressure from large institutional investors that bought DL's stock post-bk.

5. DL says they need to cut costs by $400 mil/yr in order to avoid re-entering bk as post bk business plan didn't figure for current cost of fuel.

6. Comair's share of mama D's cost cutting amounts to $15 mil/yr. Should be able to offset somewhat by selling removed aluminum rear bulkhead logos.

7. 7 planes returned to lessors in 2008, should be 1st 6 we got in 1993, not to be replaced.

8. Delta pays Comair the least amount of money per completion or block hour, however they cook the books to compensate us. They do this in order to squeeze as much $$ for themselves since we are wholly-owned. Other DCIs paid a fair amount more.

9. Comair's compensation from DL is also determined by D0, A14, Completion, & Bag Handling. This plays into how much profit sharing we get.

10. #9 Doesn't apply to JFK ops: there, OH is compensated per minute of operation, so party on during those 3-hour taxis! DL offered this plan if we participated in the "slot swap" program where DL plucks our JFK slot times at will.

11. They want to offer $3500 signing bonuses to attract suc...er new-hires.

12. Rumor control...CP S.B. said no FA was fired over the "soda incident" and he has no problem with us taking water to the hotel, as he does so himself. No mention of soda, though, and I didn't ask since I had to go pee really bad at that point!

13. Drum Roll, Please.....and the kicker is... a 2nd round of BK is a distinct possibility!!

Keep Smilin'!

 

[Ineedabrew]

Whats up with the pic pervert.

 

[JonnyKnoxville]

I effen hate Comair. Now I am depressed. I sure picked a bad day to quit drinking.

 

[John Pennekamp]

13. Drum Roll, Please.....and the kicker is... a 2nd round of BK is a distinct possibility!!

Keep Smilin'!

And that's the segway to hit the Delta pilots up for more concessions...Which they'll surely accept, despite the General's chest thumping. DCI E190s, here we come!!!

 

[JonnyKnoxville]

I have not brushed up on my bankruptcy law lately but haven't the laws changed. I think an airline entering into bankruptcy now faces a much less friendly system. I would guess that every airline would do their best to avoid bk this time around.

Does anyone out there have details on the changes of the law?

 

[Flyin Tony]

hey AMF needs pilots in CVG I think

 

[DX Rick]

hey AMF needs pilots in CVG I think

They do. Looking for Metro Captains and EMB 120 FO's.
Metro-
Operates on a TDY (3 weeks on, 1 week off) schedule. Basic compensation is 40 units SA227 weekly.

2500TT and 1000 ME PIC.....but most likely will work with what you have.

 

[DrewBlows]

I have not brushed up on my bankruptcy law lately but haven't the laws changed. I think an airline entering into bankruptcy now faces a much less friendly system. I would guess that every airline would do their best to avoid bk this time around.

Does anyone out there have details on the changes of the law?

If memory serves me, the new law institutes a time limit a company can be in bankruptcy. I don't know what happens if you exceed the limit, but Delta has streamlined the bankruptcy process so I don't see why a pesky time limit would bother them.

 

[outtahere]

But I thought after all the give backs Comair would grow?

 

[TristarJS30]

Delta could save themselves the $400 mil/year by cutting out executive bonuses, but thats not Anderson's style. Not at Northwest, not at United Health. Why should it be any different at Delta?

The only word I can come up with to describe Delta's management is pathetic. They just come out of bankruptcy months ago, and are headed straight back for it.

EDIT: Just noticed on the company site they are asking for two VOLUNTEER crews to come in to fly and taxi a 70 seater around for some kids for a half hour or so. Just pathetic.

 

[~~~^~~~]

5. DL says they need to cut costs by $400 mil/yr in order to avoid re-entering bk as post bk business plan didn't figure for current cost of fuel.

Keep Smilin'!

Profit for the year and probably break even in the fourth quarter. I can believe the need to cut costs, but bankruptcy... sure hope not.

 

[Hose]

Sweet. I can't wait to be an 8 year FO praying for an upgrade.

 

[wrigley23]

Any aspiring shiny jet Fo's please apply to Comair soon. Seniority number 500-1200 will soon be gone, if any of them have any sense. Upgrades will be available in 09 once the expenses are cut. Good luck.

 

[Garritto]

Wrigley,
How long have you been at comair?

 

[wrigley23]

Wrigley,
How long have you been at comair?

So I don't out myself to lurkers..between 3-5 years.

 

[General Lee]

Delta could save themselves the $400 mil/year by cutting out executive bonuses, but thats not Anderson's style. Not at Northwest, not at United Health. Why should it be any different at Delta?

The only word I can come up with to describe Delta's management is pathetic. They just come out of bankruptcy months ago, and are headed straight back for it.

EDIT: Just noticed on the company site they are asking for two VOLUNTEER crews to come in to fly and taxi a 70 seater around for some kids for a half hour or so. Just pathetic.

What? Where do you come up with this? I think they are doing a lot better, primarily because there are better people running the show. Leo Mullin and Fred Reid were horrible, but Anderson, Bastain, and Glen Hauenstein are allowing us to turn the corner. Sure, BK was tough, and nobody likes taking paycuts etc. But, I have more confidence in the current management because they are seasoned airline people, not bankers. That doesn't mean they will give us an extra penny when it comes to new contract time in 09, but running the company day to day is something they can do.

As far as Comair goes, they have screwed themselves over and over. The Comair pilots climbed the RJ bandwagon and "believed the hype" back in the late 90s, thinking they were invincible. Their strike cost us $1 billion, and they still didn't get everything they wanted, but rather the scorn of most Delta pilots (for not helping out our furloughed pilots unless they got more 70 seaters) and Delta management. With the proliferation of more DCI carriers, it was only inevitable that Comair get some "payback." Delta learned a costly lesson in allowing only one regional at each hub, and now have two or three. Will we at Delta ever go BK again? Time will tell, but having too many RJs would lead us back there even quicker. Many of them need to go, especially 37 and 50 seaters.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[wrigley23]

What? Where do you come up with this? I think they are doing a lot better, primarily because there are better people running the show. Leo Mullin and Fred Reid were horrible, but Anderson, Bastain, and Glen Hauenstein are allowing us to turn the corner. Sure, BK was tough, and nobody likes taking paycuts etc. But, I have more confidence in the current management because they are seasoned airline people, not bankers. That doesn't mean they will give us an extra penny when it comes to new contract time in 09, but running the company day to day is something they can do.

As far as Comair goes, they have screwed themselves over and over. The Comair pilots climbed the RJ bandwagon and "believed the hype" back in the late 90s, thinking they were invincible. Their strike cost us $1 billion, and they still didn't get everything they wanted, but rather the scorn of most Delta pilots (for not helping out our furloughed pilots unless they got more 70 seaters) and Delta management. With the proliferation of more DCI carriers, it was only inevitable that Comair get some "payback." Delta learned a costly lesson in allowing only one regional at each hub, and now have two or three. Will we at Delta ever go BK again? Time will tell, but having too many RJs would lead us back there even quicker. Many of them need to go, especially 37 and 50 seaters.

Bye Bye--General Lee

General, what you don't get is that the Comair strike was not about you, not about Delta or any mainline carrier. It was about a group of pilots trying to do better for themselves under an oppressive management. Delta screwed themselves by buying Comair, Comair was screwed by being bought Delta. I've been reading your hogwash for years and frankly, you sir really bother me. Most pilots don't wish ill on other pilots. I know if I was in your place, I'd be thankful instead of wishing revenge on others. I hope something will humble you at some point, otherwise I will not sit by you, nor will many others. Get laid, drink beers, but please please for the sake of us all, get off that horse. Goodnight.

Paid for by the committee for equal treatment of professional pilots who don't have the God given ability to be Delta pilots.

 

[V-1]

Wrigley, you forget that everything is about General Lee. This guy's probably got more posts than flight hours.

Comair can shut its doors, if it's future survival is dependent on my paycheck. There are too many other opportunities available out there...both in and out of the aviation industry.

I wonder how much revenue selling tickets for the company holiday party will generate?

 

[scooter mack]

Just Pathetic

Delta could save themselves the $400 mil/year by cutting out executive bonuses, but thats not Anderson's style. Not at Northwest, not at United Health. Why should it be any different at Delta?

The only word I can come up with to describe Delta's management is pathetic. They just come out of bankruptcy months ago, and are headed straight back for it.

EDIT: Just noticed on the company site they are asking for two VOLUNTEER crews to come in to fly and taxi a 70 seater around for some kids for a half hour or so. Just pathetic.

What is more pathetic?

1) Asking a group of "professional" pilots to volunteer some time to help throw a "Operation North Pole" party for some disadvantaged kids.

2) Thinking that you are getting screwed by management again because they asked you to volunteer to help some kids out.

Do you really think you should be paid for this? Please tell me that isn't what you meant. Seriously, they asked for a volunteer. That's it. Whay does everything have to be a conspiriacy to keep you down. So don't volunteer. Someone else will because they are kind and want to help others. The answer to the question is you. You are pathetic.

 

[Hose]

Amen Wrigley!

 

[wmuflyguy]

I did the operation North Pole last year. It was fun, almost all of the kids that were there had never even been to the airport, let alone been on an airplane. We flew around downtown Cincinnati for about 10 minutes turned around and landed.

It was a fun experience, the kids are funny they get nervous around you, because to them you are someone who does something they dream of doing, and you get free cookies at the end.

It is at most 2 hours of your time to better the lives of some kids. It may not be for you, thats fine, but don't discourage other people from doing it.

Unfortunately I have plans already and won't be able to volunteer again this year

 

[TristarJS30]

You know what? You guys are right. I was a little hot blooded (and had probably one too many) after hearing all of the doom and gloom bad news yesterday. I got 4 phone calls by noon from friends within the company telling me what was being said and I let it tick me off. I re-read what I posted this morning and see it's quite harsh.

It's a good chance for some kids to have some fun, I know I would have loved to have the opportunity to meet some real airline pilots.

My apologies guys.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

We all lose patience easily nowadays. It's a dream job turned nightmare...