Dal ae

[another cfii]

15k workforce would be nice, but I'm still longing for our purported west coast/pacific expansion... Maybe i'm just dreaming. Even a GUM base would be better than sitting reserve in JFK.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I was told 15,000 by someone in the know, and they said it with a straight face.

But you know how it goes....lies are told with a straight face...it's the truth that's told with a dismissive giggle.

Nu

I think that was before JAL.....

Who knows really, but it is better to be hearing this than 8,500....

 

[nwaredtail]

I think that was before JAL.....

Who knows really, but it is better to be hearing this than 8,500....

..............let's just see in 5 years. History is NOT in our favor..

 

[ACL65PILOT]

..............let's just see in 5 years. History is NOT in our favor..

Hence the comment. You are only at the "TOP" for so long.

 

[Cobraair75drvr]

I agree that we will see 8500 before 18500.

..............let's just see in 5 years. History is NOT in our favor..

 

[Linedriver]

I agree that we will see 8500 before 18500.

Let's hope not. I'll have to get another paper route.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

We are past 8500....

 

[jonjuan]

I agree that we will see 8500 before 18500.

But then the general will be an fo for the next 15 years.....

 

[Superpilot92]

there is no way we will see 8500, you guys crack me up. Look at the amount that has been cut in the last decade, there's not much more to cut before you dont have a viable airline anymore. The cut was down to the bone and now the flesh will start to grow back as the economy starts its uptick. We're in a position to see explosive growth if the economy continues to move in the upward direction. The airline industry hit rock bottom over the last decade and has been skimming ever since.

I understand that its typical to be a pessimist as an airline pilot but the truth is. as the RJ bubble bursts and the international routes come back we're going to see a boom on the mainline level. The key is to stay strong on scope, which most guys are. If we do that the growth is coming back to our ranks in both narrowbody and international aircraft.

ps. it doesnt matter because the world is going to end in 2012, I saw the movie and have since begun building my ark.......

 

[Hamfighter]

If this ever were the case, some of it would be through an acquisition or another merger. (add DCI to our list and that get really close)

I would love to see DCI added to the list. If we tacked on just Comair, Compass and Mesaba (a shame we don't still have ASA), we could easily keep everything in-house.
That will never happen, though, because it gives to much power to the pilot group. The economies of scale and simplified management make to much sense, also.

 

[GogglesPisano]

It will never happen. Too much animosity against regional pilots -- especially Comair -- on the part of mainline pilots. It would cause a riot in the crew lounges.

Don't necessarily agree, but there it is.

 

[Hamfighter]

And people feel ripped-off flying "replacement Delta." I'm not saying they should, but that's the impression. One strong, unified airline that you can put the right plane on the right route on a daily basis (sounds familiar from recent Delta-Northwest lobbying).

 

[Hamfighter]

You're 100% correct Googles, and that's why it is so frustrating!

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I would love to see DCI added to the list. If we tacked on just Comair, Compass and Mesaba (a shame we don't still have ASA), we could easily keep everything in-house.
That will never happen, though, because it gives to much power to the pilot group. The economies of scale and simplified management make to much sense, also.

I think you misunderstood the point. I was just adding total flying jobs, not inferring that DCI would get DAL seniority number. I agree there is no way that third party non WO operators will have any chance of that. They fly for multiple carriers and that fact alone makes it a legal nightmare. You WO will be difficult but have a better chance.

My point was that DAL ASM's may not grow by much to get to a pilot staffing number like the rumor I heard. It would just require that more DL Coded flying be flown at mainline.

As some have stated there is a fork in the road coming, and both sides are aware of it. If the pilots and the company can come to agreement on it, then it bodes well for more flying being done on the mainline side of the house.

 

[Sedona16]

I think you misunderstood the point. I was just adding total flying jobs, not inferring that DCI would get DAL seniority number. I agree there is no way that third party non WO operators will have any chance of that. They fly for multiple carriers and that fact alone makes it a legal nightmare. You WO will be difficult but have a better chance.

My point was that DAL ASM's may not grow by much to get to a pilot staffing number like the rumor I heard. It would just require that more DL Coded flying be flown at mainline.

As some have stated there is a fork in the road coming, and both sides are aware of it. If the pilots and the company can come to agreement on it, then it bodes well for more flying being done on the mainline side of the house.

Here's a scenario question for you. If Delta management agreed to bring all the regional flying (requiring about 4000 pilots) not currently on long term contracts (ie Skywest 10 year agreement) to mainline and also agreed to not farm any new regional flying out, would you accept a four year contract starting in 2012 that only went up 10% percent over those four years? What if it was a total increase of only 5%?

 

[Hamfighter]

Nope.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Here's a scenario question for you. If Delta management agreed to bring all the regional flying (requiring about 4000 pilots) not currently on long term contracts (ie Skywest 10 year agreement) to mainline and also agreed to not farm any new regional flying out, would you accept a four year contract starting in 2012 that only went up 10% percent over those four years? What if it was a total increase of only 5%?

I will not state what I would accept since everyone reads these boards. I would be willing to bet that it would fail. Too many ppl are happy if scope stays where it is and pay is increased. Most will be willing to accept it since the cost to bring back flying that is in effect unprofitable would be too high. Even the 76 seat 900's are thin money makers. Fuel goes up that exacerbates the situation.

Keep scope where it is and raise the pay is what I am hearing. In the end it depends on what the group as a whole wants.

 

[Superpilot92]

I will not state what I would accept since everyone reads these boards. I would be willing to bet that it would fail. Too many ppl are happy if scope stays where it is and pay is increased. Most will be willing to accept it since the cost to bring back flying that is in effect unprofitable would be too high. Even the 76 seat 900's are thin money makers. Fuel goes up that exacerbates the situation.

Keep scope where it is and raise the pay is what I am hearing. In the end it depends on what the group as a whole wants.

do that and put a permanent CAP on it

 

[ACL65PILOT]

They see 255 as the permanent cap Super. Most I talk to see DCI getting 255 76 seat jets. Company states they do not want em, but if the Association see it that way, they better mean though growth.

I do agree that we should cap them at the current number.

 

[Superpilot92]

They see 255 as the permanent cap Super. Most I talk to see DCI getting 255 76 seat jets. Company states they do not want em, but if the Association see it that way, they better mean though growth.

I do agree that we should cap them at the current number.

Yeah I meant CAP them at the current number. I understand the company doesnt want anymore 76 seaters either so CAP it at the current number. It appears that the current mgmt team understands that you cant be a dominant airline if you put your pax on RJ's everywhere. The RJ bubble was a filler after 9/11 for the airlines to maintain routes and now it appears they're leading towards building the airline back up. Nows the time for us as a pilot group to take advantage of this.