Delta decision due today or tomorrow

[vc10]

Word has it that Comair will be shut out from the new order

 

[ASAFOE120]

This info cames from?????

 

[House_X]

BRACE! BRACE! BRACE!

 

[BellyFlyer]

Today someone mentioned to me that there is a Comair press conference at 3PM. Anyone else here this?

 

[jobear]

Decision on what?

 

[FurloughedAgain]

3pm and all's well

Well, it is after 3pm. Was there a press conference?

 

[vc10]

I've heard 30 CRJ and 30 ERJ. If true, that would be more than the 45 RJs previously discussed. However, DL mainline (including Song) is jacking up the hours this year, which gives them more room to fly more RJs.

 

[Palerider957]

Don't forget the 30 dork jets......

 

[vc10]

Apparently the decision has been pushed off until later this week or even early next week. Not exactly a surprise.

 

[jrcpilot]

Let me throw a wrench in here. I just got off the phone with a good friend in Network Management at DL. The RFP is not done yet. ERJ's are an option. The flying may not necessarily go to the WO's. DL is looking to get into the additional jets without the cost of paying for them. They are entertaining the idea of a ASM buy type deal with a regional that will purchase the jets and fly them under the company flag. Not official but a situation that is still on the table. Revenue management had nothing to say about it but network management whom dictates where aircraft and what type fly what routes has a say in these type of decisions. So it may be a while before we get the final word on how this will play out. I still think the original plan is what will unfold. ASA getting some Comair getting some and the rest to CHQ. Comair may not get the Dojets. Something else seems to be brewing with those. Not really sure what though. The Xfactor that no ones talked about is the fact that XJET is also bidding on this flying and has a pretty strong proposal on the table. I did not know that till today. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[vc10]

The outcomes that make the most sense for the DOJets is

(1) ground them
(2) give them to Skyway (Midwest Connect)
(3) find some excuse to cancel the ACA contract and leave the aircraft with ACA

 

[DrinkSweetTea]

I thought this decision was "due" on Dec 31, 2003. Is there really anything official saying itll be announced soon?

 

[Tim47SIP]

More complicated!

Well, I was not going to post this rumor due to it's negative content, but since we are speculating, there is much more to the story. The Delta MEC is collectively trying to negotiate with management several key items. Furloughs, new aircraft, pay reductions and QOL issues. I really don't think that Delta management will do anything at the moment until they get mainline costs headed in the right direction.

Now I am only the messenger here, so please do not think that I endorse the following rumor. This came from a senior Delta Capt that was ridding in our jumpseat from CVG to DFW a few nights ago. He stated the following:

1) Delta management is asking for 30% pay plus additional QOL and contract issues that would bring the total to 39% pay reduction.

2) Delta management wants 100-110 seat aircraft, but does not want to put them on mainline due to costs. They want them on DCI's certificates.

3) Here is the really horrible part. Delta management is asking for MORE furlouhgs. To the tune of 1200-1300.

Now I personally find the second two points very far fetched. I can't see Delta wanting to get rid of more pilots when they have been announcing a 10-15% increase in flight hours for mainline and pulling aircraft out of the desert. I would also think (and hope) that DALPA would never let that happen even though they have been known to eat their young. Hopefully (if true), it is just a negotiating tactic by management. I also told the Capt that the rumor seemed very flawed, but he assured me that it was in fact, true. I have no clue as to where he got his information from but I can tell you that he is the second Delta pilot to state this, one being a good freind of mine who is a Delta furloughee. As for the 100-110 seat aircraft, I have heard trough our ALPA sources that this is true, but the Delta MEC is trying to ensure that the furloughees fly them (as they should).

So the point here is that I really don't think we are going to hear anything in the near future (other than maybe Chitaco getting more ERJ's) about major plans for DCI until Delta determines the who, what, and where concerning any new aircraft on mainline and DCI.

 

[Ted Striker]

I heard they are going to replace all of ASA's aircraft with a twin otter and we are going back to our roots, ATL-CSG. Keepin' it real homies!

 

[wms]

I agree that DAL won't make any major announcements until they settle with DALPA. Maybe the fact that an announcement is pending is a sign that an agreement is coming. I hope the rest is not true. Something in the 90-110 seat range is needed, but should result in the furloughees returning to work. Also, all new DCI flying should be done by WOs with opportunities for the furloughees to fill all new vacancies. If the new airplanes come to DCI at the expense of mainline jobs, I hope we refuse to bid them. If they try to put NBs at DCI we'd better demand pay rates that make DAL want them on the mainline.

 

[doh]

Well, at least we all know that DAL management has no plan. Now I can sleep better at night knowing that they are in charge!

 

[jobear]

The outcomes that make the most sense for the DOJets is

(1) ground them
(2) give them to Skyway (Midwest Connect)
(3) find some excuse to cancel the ACA contract and leave the aircraft with ACA

I know we already have one or two furloughed Delta pilots here at Skyway and atleast one UAL furloughee, Maybe the fact that SYX doesn't ask for furloughed pilots to resign there Senoirty will work in our favor.
Here's hopin DAL doesn't furlough more.

Bear

 

[~~~^~~~]

Tim47 :

That sounds like the sort of rumors the Delta MEC starts to get their troups all fired up and in support of the MEC. Sort of like they date of hire hogwash.

But, at the ALPA Leadership Conference, Duane Woerth made a clear discrimination between us and the other airlines ALPA represents, as follows...

of the 42 airlines in ALPA, only 12 actually sell space, either seats or cargo space. The other 30 only provide "lift" either as codeshare or as cargo lift.

Duane Woerth went on to say that only the 12 airlines would legally be allowed to negotiate scope, that it would be "illegal" for the other airlines to participate." But this is clearly not true. Delta's own VP of HR writes:

"Delta Air Lines will negotiate in good faith with whomever ALPA sends to the bargaining table as designated representatives..."

See DAL Inc's 12-19-00 letter to the ASA and Comair MEC's:

I share your hope that Delta will recall their pilots - it will reduce ALPA's motivation to destroy us. After all, the President of our union just said ASA has no flying and can not participate in scope....

Only two things have saved us thus far, Delta's management and the fact that we are a cheap alter ego that is service transparent to most passengers. But we have no friend in management, a dollar is a dollar. As ALPA has proven on the US Air property, the are willing to put mainline pilots in E-170 seats for 20 to 40% less than ASA's current wages. Management will jump all over that deal if given the opportunity.

The only thing we know for sure is that the ASA and Comair MEC's will not be allowed to participate, according to ALPA's President.

 

[General Lee]

Tim,

Wrong. Wrong. Delta wants work concecssions "worth" 1200 pilots---which means that they would not bring back the 1060 furlough, but increase the flying with the current pilots---due to the 8-10% increase in flying this year. The company told Dalpa that they would NOT furlough any current pilots. But, there is a wrench in their plans---due to upcoming early retirements---starting May 1st. I am talking a huge number according to an ATL 757 Line Check guy I just flew with Sunday to LGA. This number is HUGE, and we shall see if it happens, but Delta is apparently worried and will ask Dalpa for relief if it does occur. The retirements would be due to 3 things---low Gatt rate, vacation pay out on April 15th adding to their FAE, and upcoming pay cuts.

Also, they may want to allow DCI to have 100 seaters, but it AINT gonna happen. Dalpa would not allow that---nope. They would renegotiate a lower pay rate before giving it to DCI. Sorry, but that is the truth......Fins--you are wrong again about our MEC, but I am glad you and Tim see that it would be in the furloughs interests to get those 100 seaters if they ever come....


Bye Bye----General Lee

 

[LearLove]

If I were a bettin man I'd say the jets are going to a contract carrier hands down. CHQ, SKYWEST or Xjet or some combo of the three. No way management is going to award to ASA as they are in contract talks and Comair, well now I see them as the next ALG/PDT (maybe not now but as time goes on and 50 seaters go the way of turboprops). I know I'll get alot of flack for that last statement and I hope its not true and I'm just talking out my a$$ but I can't help but see it comming.