What did the Delta pilots (and all other ALPA pilots) do for Comair pilots when they were in their time of need (their unsuccessful strike)? We gave them money, support, and did not fly their struck work. (We didn't really have a choice with the last one, but we told management we would not) Our company suffered a loss of about $250 million, and eventually settled with the Comair pilots. Ok, now it is our time of need---we have 1015 pilots out and soon to be 1060, and what does the Comair group led by their MEC who speaks for them do? They say NO to allowing our guys and girls to go to the bottom of their list and fly RJ's, a gesture that would NOT affect any of them whatsoever. The MEC obviously has the ability to exert pressure on hiring. How do I know that? The head of DCI, (I forgot his name--starts with a B I believe) stated in an Atlanta Journal Constitution article that it was up to the particular airline and he stated that the Comair MEC must have some influence with their Management. He stated that. He also said that ASA was allowing furloughed Delta pilots to go there because "they want experienced pilots" there.
I don't know why Delta doesn't order Comair to do something, but I believe the Comair pilots should SPEAK UP to their elected MEC and say something. I believe the average Comair pilot will be losing out because the top 100 pilots in the seniority list are ruining their chances to ever get hired at Delta. People keep saying that it will be 5-10 years before hiring resumes there. That very well might be dead WRONG. There was a large meeting in ATL two weeks ago with a lot of Delta VP's, Chief Pilots, and the CFO---Michele Burns. They said we are currently losing $3 million a day in this quarter (the slow quarter), but should be cash positive for the rest of the year. We supposedly have $2.6 Billion in cash, and BORROWING POWER-----something Continental does not. She said we are interested in United's Pacific routes if and when they become available, and also the Heathrow slots. She said we also are interested in some assets if USAir tumbles--like transatlantic from Philly. Another VP said we were parking the MD-11's, not selling them. With United falling and downsizing, those routes might very well be up for sale---because United doesn't own them---three banks do. So what does this all mean? The furloughs could be back within 2-3 years, and then we could start hiring----ASA and Skywest pilots. The Delta MEC asked for your MEC's help and offered some sort of preferential interviews, and he turned it down, asking for unlimited 70 seaters and some 90 seaters. Guess what? The more RJ's out there, the less mainline planes, which means less chances for you to make the big bucks at mainline. Do you want a chance to make big bucks? Or do you want to stay on the RJ or Retirement Jet forever? It is your choice. Voice your opinion to your MEC and do the right thing for the furloughed pilots, who probably helped you out at your time of need. ( some of the furloughed pilots were not on probation at the time and did help pay for your cause) And by the way Winged Princess----I was also "scooter trash", but actually got an interview and got hired the old fashion way.
Bye Bye---General Lee
