Delta Connection Flying - 100 Aircraft Reduction

[USCtrojan]

Well, we know customer service levels in general will IMPROVE once ASA service is reduced in the system... Nobody can argue that fact. ASA customer service/gate agents could not be worse - and it reflects badly on Mother Delta.

You obviously haven't been around in awhile. ASA has NO customer service agents, other than FA's, and Pilots. They have been gone for over 3 years.

Trojan

 

[777forever]

Well, we know customer service levels in general will IMPROVE once ASA service is reduced in the system... Nobody can argue that fact. ASA customer service/gate agents could not be worse - and it reflects badly on Mother Delta.

Only problem is the customer service and gate agents in ATL are DELTA employees. The ASA CSAs and GAs at the outstations that did excellent work for years have been sent to the unemployment office due to cost.

 

[johnpeace]

I expect DAL to have 100+ seat aircraft being flown by regionals (including ASA) before the end of the decade.

That prediction is based on trend. Major airline pilots have historically sold out on scope in exchange for short term gains. I don't see any reason for that trend to stop. Major airline management has historically benefited from cost reductions of having domestic feed labor farmed out to lower cost 'regional' airlines.

The argument against regional airlines cost-effectiveness all centers around the fuel economy of 50-70 seat jets.

Put 100+ seat jets at those same regional airlines and you create a whole wonder-land of cost efficiencies.

The only trick is selling it to the DAL pilot group.

If history serves as a guide, that shouldn't be terribly difficult. Just offer small pay/benefits increases to the most senior 1/4 of the pilots and Bob's yer uncle.

What do they care? They're retiring into a sweet part-time Citation gig at your local airport in another 2 years.

Anyway...

The downward trend of labor in America and the WalMart-ization of the airlines seems pretty obvious to me....I'm not expecting the tide to turn and for jobs to get better or for the good (major airline) jobs to actually be protected.

Are you kidding me?

It sucks, many of you will froth and foam at the mouth in rage that someone actually said it...but there you go.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Expect some good news for ASA shortly....Rumors of our demise have been greatly exagerated.....

I guess we bought you back!

 

[ohplease!]

I guess we bought you back!

Oh god! I hope not!....ahhh, just kidding.

Actually that would be great! then we can go back to DOH for non-rev travel and then a % merger of the seniority lists....oh darn! that'll be bad for you guys that left to go to the mother ship in the last few years...ohhhh, RELAX! I'm kidding....lighten up, would ya'!


Maybe one day pilots will stop looking down their noses at others and come together and stop the slide into the toilet....nah! Now I really AM joking! We all know that'll never happen.

I do have one serious question though.... If regional pilots and regional airlines are such a blight on the airline industry, why don't you guy's that are now high and mighty mainliners run yourselves out of the industry for having been regional tards (hence, part of the problem)?

I'm just sayin'......

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I expect DAL to have 100+ seat aircraft being flown by regionals (including ASA) before the end of the decade.

That prediction is based on trend. Major airline pilots have historically sold out on scope in exchange for short term gains. I don't see any reason for that trend to stop. Major airline management has historically benefited from cost reductions of having domestic feed labor farmed out to lower cost 'regional' airlines.

The argument against regional airlines cost-effectiveness all centers around the fuel economy of 50-70 seat jets.

Put 100+ seat jets at those same regional airlines and you create a whole wonder-land of cost efficiencies.

The only trick is selling it to the DAL pilot group.

If history serves as a guide, that shouldn't be terribly difficult. Just offer small pay/benefits increases to the most senior 1/4 of the pilots and Bob's yer uncle.

What do they care? They're retiring into a sweet part-time Citation gig at your local airport in another 2 years.

Anyway...

The downward trend of labor in America and the WalMart-ization of the airlines seems pretty obvious to me....I'm not expecting the tide to turn and for jobs to get better or for the good (major airline) jobs to actually be protected.

Are you kidding me?

It sucks, many of you will froth and foam at the mouth in rage that someone actually said it...but there you go.

Well my god, that is rocket science. Of course the CASM goes down if you add 25% to the capacity of a fleet. You get to spread those costs out. That is a no brainer. It is also why it is important that you hope and pray it does not happen. If it does the DCI lift once again becomes cheap and restrengthens the desire to outsource. DCI costs pay a big part in why they are slowly bringing flying back to mainline. If you ever want to fly at someplace like DAL, getting 100 seat jets flown anywhere besides mainline is not the answer.

If the 100 seat jet goes to DCI in any amount, you will not see hiring until sometime in the later part of this decade at the earliest, and probably more around the 2025 timeframe.

 

[79%N1]

Well, we know customer service levels in general will IMPROVE once ASA service is reduced in the system... Nobody can argue that fact. ASA customer service/gate agents could not be worse - and it reflects badly on Mother Delta.

HAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOLLOLOLOLOLOLO!!!!!!!

Are you on CRACK?!?!??! That post just shows HOW IGNORANT, clueless and out of touch with reality you are!

ASA HAS NO (ZERO, NONE, ZIP, NADA, ZILCH) customer service/gate agents in ATL or ANYWHERE ELSE for that matter!

Customer service/Gate in ATL is handled 100% BY DELTA AIRLINES AGENTS! All other stations are Pinnacle, Mesaba, Comair and Regional Elite! Delta Airlines handles 100% of our gates, ramps and baggage handling in Atlanta - where ASA operates roughly 800 flights per day!
Delta assigns the gates, boards the flights, loads the bags, pushes the aircrafts from the gates!

ASA has outranked mighty Delta Mainline in the past many Customer Satisfaction rankings!

You are a clueless, uninformed ASA HATER! Now you just look stupid.

Maybe "Mother Delta" should look in the mirror.............

 

[asayankee]

Well, we know customer service levels in general will IMPROVE once ASA service is reduced in the system... Nobody can argue that fact. ASA customer service/gate agents could not be worse - and it reflects badly on Mother Delta.

You do know that ASA hasn't had any customer service/gate agents for about 2 years now right? They are all Delta employees. Where have you been?

 

[JoeMerchant]

I guess we bought you back!

I said GOOD news....That would be BAD news....

 

[COOPERVANE]

Expect some good news for ASA shortly....Rumors of our demise have been greatly exagerated.....

No announcement yet


This is the 2nd Board you have mentioned this on. You gotta give us more than that. A hint perhaps?......come on........

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I said GOOD news....That would be BAD news....

Ah, well then congratulations. I am sure that the added UAUA flying will be welcome.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

Oh god! I hope not!....ahhh, just kidding.

Actually that would be great! then we can go back to DOH for non-rev travel and then a % merger of the seniority lists....oh darn! that'll be bad for you guys that left to go to the mother ship in the last few years...ohhhh, RELAX! I'm kidding....lighten up, would ya'!


Maybe one day pilots will stop looking down their noses at others and come together and stop the slide into the toilet....nah! Now I really AM joking! We all know that'll never happen.

I do have one serious question though.... If regional pilots and regional airlines are such a blight on the airline industry, why don't you guy's that are now high and mighty mainliners run yourselves out of the industry for having been regional tards (hence, part of the problem)?

I'm just sayin'......

FWIW, grouping all people in the same basket over here is short sighted.

I do not believe in something for nothing, and I realize what is at fault here, but you have to remember one important thing. You must work within the system as it is. Progress will be made, but as you know big bites of the apple sometimes cause more issues that they are worth.

I would love to do something with ASA, but there is one issue. You feed UAUA too, and my guess is that, this little point will prove problematic.

This is not directed at you, but some on here, constantly going after the mainline guys on here is not a way to score any points. Many of the guys on here are the informed ones or ones that can influence actions of our MEC. Same on our side.

In the end it is about finding a solution that restores the bargaining strength of the branded flying under one voice, and restoring the natural progression of this career. Stagnation sucks, whether you are at ASA or at DAL. There has been way to much of that. We all want to move to higher paying jobs, and the is a right way and a wrong way to do that. Fighting each other for jets is not the answer.

Remember D-ALPA has exclusivity when dealing with Delta management, and for that reason alone, it serves everyone well to align our interests.

As for pass bennies. Yep, sucked getting 10 years cuts off. Some of the non pilots that came over here got a 1 for 2 on the longevity for their bennies. Pilots did not.

 

[ohplease!]

FWIW, grouping all people in the same basket over here is short sighted.

I do not believe in something for nothing, and I realize what is at fault here, but you have to remember one important thing. You must work within the system as it is. Progress will be made, but as you know big bites of the apple sometimes cause more issues that they are worth.

I would love to do something with ASA, but there is one issue. You feed UAUA too, and my guess is that, this little point will prove problematic.

This is not directed at you, but some on here, constantly going after the mainline guys on here is not a way to score any points. Many of the guys on here are the informed ones or ones that can influence actions of our MEC. Same on our side.

In the end it is about finding a solution that restores the bargaining strength of the branded flying under one voice, and restoring the natural progression of this career. Stagnation sucks, whether you are at ASA or at DAL. There has been way to much of that. We all want to move to higher paying jobs, and the is a right way and a wrong way to do that. Fighting each other for jets is not the answer.

Remember D-ALPA has exclusivity when dealing with Delta management, and for that reason alone, it serves everyone well to align our interests.

As for pass bennies. Yep, sucked getting 10 years cuts off. Some of the non pilots that came over here got a 1 for 2 on the longevity for their bennies. Pilots did not.

typical....wow....take a totally tounge-in-cheek fun poke and try to tell me and all the other lowly regional pilots how far beneath you and all the "big boys" we are...dude, that double breasted jacket being so tight is gonna cause you to fall off that mighty high horse...better be careful.

 

[777forever]

No announcement yet


This is the 2nd Board you have mentioned this on. You gotta give us more than that. A hint perhaps?......come on........

Ah, well then congratulations. I am sure that the added UAUA flying will be welcome.

UAL CR7 flying in IAD!?!?!?

 

[JoeMerchant]

typical....wow....take a totally tounge-in-cheek fun poke and try to tell me and all the other lowly regional pilots how far beneath you and all the "big boys" we are...dude, that double breasted jacket being so tight is gonna cause you to fall off that mighty high horse...better be careful.

Ohplease!, he is one of the chosen now.....You must respect his higher position in life...We are here to serve him and we belong to him and his fellow double breasted gods. We haven't "made the cut"....

 

[lookin4better]

Its just business, but the RJ thing is over. Time to adapt and move on.... no crying.

It's the best thing for this industry.

 

[crj567]

typical....wow....take a totally tounge-in-cheek fun poke and try to tell me and all the other lowly regional pilots how far beneath you and all the "big boys" we are...dude, that double breasted jacket being so tight is gonna cause you to fall off that mighty high horse...better be careful.

I can see I am not the only one around here who sees ACL for what a complete a-hole he truly is...

-Pride truly "goeth before the fall."
-Take heed, ACL-there is a big fat throbber somewhere out there with your name all over it-you arrogant putz.

 

[Varmint]

Well, we know customer service levels in general will IMPROVE once ASA service is reduced in the system... Nobody can argue that fact. ASA customer service/gate agents could not be worse - and it reflects badly on Mother Delta.

We don't have any customer service/gate agents anymore, they are all DELTA or one of their contract ground service companies. Additionally, our inflight customer satisfaction is amongst the highest in the DCI portfolio actually surpassing Delta's for a month. Go back to smoking your Johnsonrod.

 

[N813CA]

The 50 seat RJ will always be around in small markets. I am sorry but it doesn't make sense to fly a mainline jet into a city that only has 40 people flying out every leg.

 

[Tarzan]

FWIW, grouping all people in the same basket over here is short sighted.

I do not believe in something for nothing, and I realize what is at fault here, but you have to remember one important thing. You must work within the system as it is. Progress will be made, but as you know big bites of the apple sometimes cause more issues that they are worth.

I would love to do something with ASA, but there is one issue. You feed UAUA too, and my guess is that, this little point will prove problematic.

This is not directed at you, but some on here, constantly going after the mainline guys on here is not a way to score any points. Many of the guys on here are the informed ones or ones that can influence actions of our MEC. Same on our side.

In the end it is about finding a solution that restores the bargaining strength of the branded flying under one voice, and restoring the natural progression of this career. Stagnation sucks, whether you are at ASA or at DAL. There has been way to much of that. We all want to move to higher paying jobs, and the is a right way and a wrong way to do that. Fighting each other for jets is not the answer.

Remember D-ALPA has exclusivity when dealing with Delta management, and for that reason alone, it serves everyone well to align our interests.

As for pass bennies. Yep, sucked getting 10 years cuts off. Some of the non pilots that came over here got a 1 for 2 on the longevity for their bennies. Pilots did not.

My God Man! You have become completely full of yourself. Amazing how quickly it happens.

You need to understand something. Most contracted lift pilots don't want 100 seat flying and when presented with the whole story, want 76 seaters back at a legacy. Why? Because the pay is better and it is a terminal job. You get sanctimonious on a frigging rumor board and then start talking about how you can influence the MEC. YOu make it sound as though because someone had the nerve to ruffle your feather on a rumor board, you're going to take action and ruin those pilots. How juvenile is that? Grow some thicker skin and get over yourself.

Just because you now work for a legacy doesn't mean you have achieved a higher level of moral existence. It just means you now have to listen to the guys that gave up on scope and suffered the consequences. (Well, we all have lost on that one.) Now they thump their chests and talk about small and petty regional pilots and how they can never measure up to a Delta pilot. I am tired of this mentality. It is self defeating and if we all have any desire of reining in the runway scope issue, the regional guys need to learn to play ball. Sticking your nose in the air when an RJ pilot says, "Hello" is not.

 

[LazyLightnin']

Well, we know customer service levels in general will IMPROVE once ASA service is reduced in the system... Nobody can argue that fact. ASA customer service/gate agents could not be worse - and it reflects badly on Mother Delta.

I, too, wanted to addresss your stupidity. That is all.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I can see I am not the only one around here who sees ACL for what a complete a-hole he truly is...

-Pride truly "goeth before the fall."
-Take heed, ACL-there is a big fat throbber somewhere out there with your name all over it-you arrogant putz.

You just do not get it. I am not placing blame on any regional pilots. All I am stating is do not fight for something that cannot help you earn more in the long run.

I am a putz though. Thanks.

 

[at7driver]

not all about the money man.... course that pension would've been nice.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

My God Man! You have become completely full of yourself. Amazing how quickly it happens.

You need to understand something. Most contracted lift pilots don't want 100 seat flying and when presented with the whole story, want 76 seaters back at a legacy. Why? Because the pay is better and it is a terminal job. You get sanctimonious on a frigging rumor board and then start talking about how you can influence the MEC. YOu make it sound as though because someone had the nerve to ruffle your feather on a rumor board, you're going to take action and ruin those pilots. How juvenile is that? Grow some thicker skin and get over yourself.

Just because you now work for a legacy doesn't mean you have achieved a higher level of moral existence. It just means you now have to listen to the guys that gave up on scope and suffered the consequences. (Well, we all have lost on that one.) Now they thump their chests and talk about small and petty regional pilots and how they can never measure up to a Delta pilot. I am tired of this mentality. It is self defeating and if we all have any desire of reining in the runway scope issue, the regional guys need to learn to play ball. Sticking your nose in the air when an RJ pilot says, "Hello" is not.

1) It appears you are misinterpreting what I am say. I am stating the simple fact that to achieve what we all want, it has to go though the D-ALPA MEC. No more no less. I knew this when I worked there.

2) Trust me, DAL is great, but it is a job, and a job that I want to make better. It is not an end all be all. Yep, I said it. I love it, but it still takes me away from my family, and they are the most important thing there is.

3) My goal is to quit this end fighting. LM has it right when he "says' unity is key. How we get there is the difficult part. There are certain things that need to happen, and certain parameters in which to work.

4) I influence the MEC with my one vote as a DAL pilot, no more no less.

5) With that one vote I get to have a say. I have my opinions, bu the ugly truth is that those that are in power over here or have the "ear" of those that are, have no desire to do what many at DCI would want. They just prefer to pull the flying back. How is that for unity?

6) I knew it was a TIC post, and I used to try and explain that we are pilots and to solve pilot issues there are certain things that are set in stone. One of them is the exclusivity of negotiating with DAL management. That is D-ALPA's. It was not a slap, so do not take it as one.

7) May of you do not want the 100 seat flying or more 76 seat flying at DCi because you want to make the move like I and about 56 of your former colleagues did a few years ago, but, there are many that have opted to make DCI or ASA their career and they are fighting for exactly what you do not want. They are the ones that control your voice. Do not forget that. If that is mean spirited, so be it, but it is the truth.

CRJ567, you think I am an arrogant putz, and that is fine, but many of your colleagues that know me are very aware that I am one of a few people over here that truly sees the DCI pilot for who they are. I do not look at that job as below be. I never have and never will. I disagree that flying below my seniority is not worth my time nor effort. You sir need to take the preconceptions you have and drop them. They cloud your judgment.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

not all about the money man.... course that pension would've been nice.

Trust me I know, but options are great. Hoping for scope sales for progression is a difficult way to plan.

 

[Max Powers]

Right, and they all originate right in ATL!

No, but they fly in on AirTran from the 2nd tier cities and then fly to Rome on Delta. This is called inevitability. AirTran 7% growth and profitable for the year with continued growth and profits. Whilst Delta 3-4% capacity reduction with no profits in sight. This has been the trend for the past 20 years.

 

[B727FA]

This industry suxs sooo bad!!!! Pilots are pawns in this nightmare!!!!!

We're ALL pawns in the game...

 

[General Lee]

it's amazing we haven't all been graced by the General and heard his all-knowing explanation.

must be his week sucking farts out of the seats for AC in heavy check. (he volunteers)

Wow, what a classic statement. You are a pulitzer prize winner for sure. The parking of 50 seaters could be seen from a mile away. They are a drain on mainline revenue, and are not efficient with higher gas. All of this along with new FAA guidlines for hiring and rest requirements due this Fall will make a lot of Regional airlines obselete and not able to compete. Hopefully that will inturn force legacies and LCCs to hire, and balance will return to this industry. BTW, you are an idiot, and you better get your degree or you will be stuck at a shrinking SKW forever. Enjoy that.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[ASABound]

General Lee,
Any rumors on comair going bye bye and ASA/skyw getting the assests ?? just curious, take care man...

 

[Tarzan]

1) It appears you are misinterpreting what I am say. I am stating the simple fact that to achieve what we all want, it has to go though the D-ALPA MEC. No more no less. I knew this when I worked there............


5) With that one vote I get to have a say. I have my opinions, bu the ugly truth is that those that are in power over here or have the "ear" of those that are, have no desire to do what many at DCI would want. They just prefer to pull the flying back. How is that for unity?

7) May of you do not want the 100 seat flying or more 76 seat flying at DCi because you want to make the move like I and about 56 of your former colleagues did a few years ago, but, there are many that have opted to make DCI or ASA their career and they are fighting for exactly what you do not want. They are the ones that control your voice. Do not forget that. If that is mean spirited, so be it, but it is the truth.

Well then you have my apologies. I see or perceive a vib from ATL Delta pilots that they see a contract pilot as somehow lesser than than themselves. We are all in this together in some form or another. I don't believe there are many who begrudge a move by DALPA to pull some flying back in. Will all of it ever go, doubt it, but some of the options on the table would seem to benefit all of us over this cutting of one another's collective throats.

Additionally, I believe you are misguided on who believe is our voice. Most of us recognize the importance of a brand and its importance to the flying public as they perceive it. From my view point, it looks like a move is afoot to address this and the former issue while giving all of us caught up in the merry-go-round issue of scope a better chance at career regardless of the side of the house you work on. Hopefully for all of our future we can address these issues and move forward with companies that are economically viable and profitable.