Delta 747's Out of Atlanta and Other Q & A's

[JAM-BRO]

Sedona, I did not know DAL had any 747-400s.

Anyways, rumor going around is that since Boeing owes NWA for the 787 delays, the payout is going to be 4 or 5 new 400s at a steal. A price that they can't refuse. Anyone else hear this?

 

[dtfl]

Fleet simplification was a major goal over the last five years. Fleet complexity was also cited as a reason for rejecting the merger with LCC. However, in the merger with NWA, fleet diversity is considered a big advantage to match the aircraft to the mission. Can you explain the shift in strategy? Thanks!

Ed Bastian
There were many reasons USAir was rejected. Fleet was only one of many. The merger with Northwest will fill many fleet gaps in our network. For example, we need a 100 seat airplane for mainline as the smallest mainline aircraft today is 150 seats. Both the DC-9's and the A319's will fit this need nicely. In addition, ATL needs larger gauge international wide-body equipment. Northwest has 747's that will work well in this regard. Once the 787 is delivered, Northwest will have the youngest international wide-body fleet in the U.S., which coupled with our 777LR's will allow for considerable international expansion. Fleet complexity is a reality in this industry but is not a reason to avoid this deal.

Ed - You guys made several promises to us regarding any possible merger - the blended company would be called Delta, run by Delta people, in Atlanta, etc. and we all really appreciate that y'all kept your word and made that happen. But there is one other important aspect that I have not seen addressed. Delta serves Coca-Cola and NW serves Pepsi. So, which will it be? (And please, don't make this poor Southern girl have to drink a Pepsi on a Delta aircraft.)

Ed
It's Coke. And, that's coming from an ex-Pepsi guy. I am a convert.

Hmm A319 is a 100 seater? Actually it is a 108/16 seater. The MD88 seats more and is at a lower pay rate since the A319 is at the 320 pay rate?
That irritates me.

 

[dtfl]

Fleet simplification was a major goal over the last five years. Fleet complexity was also cited as a reason for rejecting the merger with LCC. However, in the merger with NWA, fleet diversity is considered a big advantage to match the aircraft to the mission. Can you explain the shift in strategy? Thanks!

Ed Bastian
There were many reasons USAir was rejected. Fleet was only one of many. The merger with Northwest will fill many fleet gaps in our network. For example, we need a 100 seat airplane for mainline as the smallest mainline aircraft today is 150 seats. Both the DC-9's and the A319's will fit this need nicely. In addition, ATL needs larger gauge international wide-body equipment. Northwest has 747's that will work well in this regard. Once the 787 is delivered, Northwest will have the youngest international wide-body fleet in the U.S., which coupled with our 777LR's will allow for considerable international expansion. Fleet complexity is a reality in this industry but is not a reason to avoid this deal.

Ed - You guys made several promises to us regarding any possible merger - the blended company would be called Delta, run by Delta people, in Atlanta, etc. and we all really appreciate that y'all kept your word and made that happen. But there is one other important aspect that I have not seen addressed. Delta serves Coca-Cola and NW serves Pepsi. So, which will it be? (And please, don't make this poor Southern girl have to drink a Pepsi on a Delta aircraft.)

Ed
It's Coke. And, that's coming from an ex-Pepsi guy. I am a convert.

Hmm A319 is a 100 seater? Actually it is a 108/16 seater. The MD88 seats more and is at a lower pay rate since the A319 is at the 320 pay rate?
That irritates me.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

The important thing is: Delta is an EXELLENT employer.

... if not excellent at spelling.

 

[Citrus531]

Sedona, I did not know DAL had any 747-400s.

Anyways, rumor going around is that since Boeing owes NWA for the 787 delays, the payout is going to be 4 or 5 new 400s at a steal. A price that they can't refuse. Anyone else hear this?

They will have some 744's once the repainting takes place...aren't most of the 747's of Northwest the older -400's...ie from 1989 on?..it'll be the first time since 1975 Delta's operated the 74....

Remember the old 747-132's with the widget...I think UPS might have had one until recently...

 

[Gunfighter]

And Northwest pilots' uniforms are REALLY dirty from the treadmarks left by the bus DAL pilots drove over them with......and so on.

The bus driver stopped, opened the door and extended a personal invitation to ride the bus. At one point, the driver even offered assistance with the bags. After several unsuccessful attempts at persuading them to ride the bus, the driver said that the bus was in fact leaving. Once the bus began moving, the potential passengers were unintentionally pushed in front of the bus, by a late arriving passenger from Mexico.

The driver had no intention of running them over and even tried stopping the bus, but they were pushed in front by one of their own.

 

[nwaredtail]

The bus driver stopped, opened the door and extended a personal invitation to ride the bus. At one point, the driver even offered assistance with the bags. After several unsuccessful attempts at persuading them to ride the bus, the driver said that the bus was in fact leaving. Once the bus began moving, the potential passengers were unintentionally pushed in front of the bus, by a late arriving passenger from Mexico.

The driver had no intention of running them over and even tried stopping the bus, but they were pushed in front by one of their own.

Did you get this clever on my tax dollars? How about the door was open, we were told where to sit, told to shut up, told we should be happy to be there, told we would lose years of seniority, told we would furlough from only our side, and then when we left, the bus driver ran was truly puzzled.

I am sure there will be another bus, maybe even better than that POS first one.

 

[gutshotdraw]

Ding! We have a winner!

 

[PuffDriver]

Did you get this clever on my tax dollars? How about the door was open, we were told where to sit, told to shut up, told we should be happy to be there, told we would lose years of seniority, told we would furlough from only our side, and then when we left, the bus driver ran was truly puzzled.

I am sure there will be another bus, maybe even better than that POS first one.

Actually, the best bus was the first one.

You are going to lose years of service anyway, you could have had a better contract than the one you WILL see to help soften the blow. We all could have.

My guess is that you will see less greater pay and the same list you would have seen anyway. Well done.

 

[gutshotdraw]

I'm actually starting the to think the deal won't happen at all. And that would be the best thing, for the Red Tails at least.

 

[JAM-BRO]

Pufff

You can thank Moak for loosing the first contract. All that was left to negotiate, was how the list would look on day one. Both sides had already agreed on a contract and a dynamic seniority list, but not on the initial ratio. Stevens offered Moak a compromise to each meet half way. Moak said no. Then Stevens offered Moak to just arbitrate that initial ratio. NOTHING ELSE. Moak said,"This is our last proposal, Take it or leave it". Stevens said no, but did not break negotiations. Moak got up and went home. Then he negotiated LOA 19 for less and now will accept exp arbitration. Go figure. Who left offer one on the table????? This could be all behind us if Moak would have accepted a compromise or arbitration on a SINGLE ITEM.

Actually, the best bus was the first one.

You are going to lose years of service anyway, you could have had a better contract than the one you WILL see to help soften the blow. We all could have.

My guess is that you will see less greater pay and the same list you would have seen anyway. Well done.

 

[nwaredtail]

Actually, the best bus was the first one.

You are going to lose years of service anyway, you could have had a better contract than the one you WILL see to help soften the blow. We all could have.

My guess is that you will see less greater pay and the same list you would have seen anyway. Well done.

I recently saw the first, all I can say is "bite me". Why do you always say, "you"? How about "We"? If this goes to arbitration, Moak will obviously soften his seniority position because the only 2 proposals that NWAALPA were given we so slanted toward the DAL pilots, an arbitrator would laugh.

With his new proposal, the DAL would also lose some "goodies", along with the NWA guys. As it should be.

 

[JAM-BRO]

Six 400s were mnfctrd in '89, 4 in'90, 4 in '99, and 2 in '02.

They will have some 744's once the repainting takes place...aren't most of the 747's of Northwest the older -400's...ie from 1989 on?..it'll be the first time since 1975 Delta's operated the 74....

Remember the old 747-132's with the widget...I think UPS might have had one until recently...

 

[contrail67]

The truth is ....Delta is the Cruise ship on this one and NWA is the dingy.

 

[WabiSabi]

oops, wrong thread......deleted