Delta cnx march furlough

[banger]

Word on the street is that Delta has cancelled the furloughs it had planned for March. Maybe this is an indication that the pilot grievance has come back favorable. Or maybe DAL expects to need more pilots with the CRAF activated.

 

[General Lee]

This is good news, even though we don't really know what the news is. People that were scheduled to be furloughed March 2nd (about 20 total), have been getting calls from the MCO chief pilot saying that their furlough has been "cancelled." We have been in hearings with the arbitrator in the No Furlough Clause case and he was supposed to give a ruling yesterday. We are all pretty much in the dark, but we have not heard a "No, you can still be furloughed..." so that is good news. Along with the rescinded furloughs, I hope the furloughs stop for good and a recall begins some time in the near future. I know this Iraq thing could be an obstacle---but the increased need for pilots to fly the CRAF stuff--including Med-evac 767-300ER stuff if needed, along with the increase in retirements lately, could help us. I can't wait to have all the furloughs back eventually, and then bring on the ASA pilots!

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[NYRANGERS]

I guess Mary Mondal said she was given only enough information about the March furloughs. Delta has not permitted any more information on the subject to be released just yet.\

She said this won't be a month to month thing, so I guess it can be taken a few ways.

My guess is that Delta won't train us, as per Dave Watson (crew planner). So this relates to RB's original rulling that it was impossible for Delta to retrain all pilots at once, so a recall schedule would be implemented. The logistics of bringing 1000 or so pilots to unassigned status is just one of finance, and as we all know finances of Delta are not subject to FM. So........there is a long shot possibility that at some point in the near future we all go "unassigned".

Now Iraq may change things, but they may be discussing different scenarios now, and thus the information "blackout"

Anyway just some ideas, I am just glad that 20 of our pilots will not have to suffer a furlough just yet.

Take care all,'

NYR


PS. This really is a good day. The NYR just got Alexi Kovalev.

 

[General Lee]

NYR,

What happened today with the furloughs is pretty good news, considering the arbitrator could have just said, "No." We do not know what will happen next, but with the CRAF wave 1 activated, you would think that if Delta wanted to pull the "War Emergency" part of the No Furlough Clause out, they would have then. They still may try something down the road, but for now we should be happy that 20 furloughs were averted. Many things could be causing the stoppage-----Excess retirements (85 since Dec 1st--and those are guys at the top..), CRAF callup, and maybe extra hours eventually for Song pilots. Who knows? But, I think this is good news and I hope it continues.....

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[becket]

Great news. I can imagine what a huge relief it must be for those guys. One I know I would have welcomed! Let's keep our fingers crossed that it sticks and actually reverses.

 

[rjcap]

What is the current number of Delta pilots furloughed - excluding the March number ??

 

[Networ-King]

1060......... DAL pilots on the street

 

[flint4xx]

What happens when we go to war with Iraq? What will the company do about furloughs in that case?

 

[NYRANGERS]

What happens when we go to war with Iraq? What will the company do about furloughs in that case?

We don't know yet. The published ruling is expected this week, but you know how that goes. I guess you can discuss the issue of a future posibility, but the ruling most likely does not have much to do with a war that has not happened yet.

 

[rjcap]

1060......... DAL pilots on the street

Did furloughs occur in January and/or February ???

 

[Networ-King]

We had 45 join the double secret hand shake club on Jan 31st and 20 were suppose to hit the street on March 2nd. At least ALPA did someone some good. For a while anyhow. Hope this is a trend, but Im not holding my breath.

 

[General Lee]

I think this had a lot to do with us negotiating at the same time about the CRAF flying, which is worth big bucks to Delta. I believe they are keeping extra MD11's around to do the flying. I have to wonder about the "war emergency" clause in the No Furlough agreement. Why wouldn't the company negotiators just tell the arbitrator then and there that the CRAF flying was to begin and they were invoking the War Emergency clause? Why would you agree to stopping the furloughs, telling 20 guys that they are now not furloughed, and then furlough more 3 weeks later for example? Maybe they have come up with an agreement on other issues--maybe pay or work rules. We just don't know yet, but I am happy that the furloughs have stopped for now.

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Networ-King]

General,

The reason that they did not invoke the war emergency clause as of yet is because they cant bring anything new to the table with the arbitrator. That Dec 9 deadline was just that.... a deadline of what both sides put in writing and thats what he is basing his decision on. Don't worry, mother Delta is not stupid, they'll get their way as do most management teams..... and then of course we'll b i t c h and scream, and ALPA, they'll come a runnin and grieve it and it'll take another year and a half to get a ruling. By then we'll be Delta the Comair connection. lol Sorry couldn't help it. Cross your fingers and toes.....cause this whole industry is going down they crapper.

 

[stb]

Comair and ASA can't...

keep up with training for the CRJ 700's.

It could also be for Reserve and Guard activations.

 

[General Lee]

Netw-orKing,

I love your optimism. I know it seems bad for you right now, but compared to other Majors, we are doing a lot better. We are flying a lot more CRAF flights, which will help fill seats for $$$ compared to regular European flights that are 1/2 full. This whole War thing will not last long when we start bombing Iraq. Hopefully the terrorist stuff will mellow down (??), and people will start to travel more this summer. Eventually all of the troops will have to fly back to the US---using more CRAF MD11's, 777's etc.
Captains are retiring fast to keep their lump sums--which will create more upward movement. We also hedged over 65% of our fuel at cheap rates--which will help against the other airlines.
I think Delta will ride this out and still be around after this whole mess is over. The economy has no where to go but up. Optimism is good when you have several things going for you.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Networ-King]

General,

I am neither a pesimist or an optimist..... I am a realist and what I see is management abusing 9/11 to its fullest. I just wish I had some of your optimism. I know all about whats happening in the industry, I keep my ear pretty close to the ground, but I also know that there is no such thing as an honest businessman. Remember..... our CEO was or still is a banker. And you know whats the most important thing to a banker? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Even though Deltas been positive cash flow in flight operations some way somehow we're always in the red because of one time charges and BS. Business is business and labor is a huge pain in the A$$ for business. Now management is trying to cure the pain or at least make it hurt a little less. Im rambeling now..... Im off to the gym.