Delta to look differnt in 1 year

[XRMEFLYER]

RJCAP,


He stated that exactly in the SLC "Jerry's kids" meeting he had with all of the SLC employees--not just the pilots. A lot of the other employees---ticket counter people etc--(many flew in from the Montana stations--like Bozeman) were concerned about the RJ growth--even though the loads are there to support 737s. (the reason the 737s aren't there is because Delta found other additional routes for them apparently---like extra to MSP, DTW, and ORD from SLC) Since we parked all of the 727s--we don't have many extra 110-140 seat aircraft left.

X-ream-me,

Sure, he could have been stating what we "wanted to hear", but he also stated that to the press---and I think I posted that article stating Grinstein didn't think people wanted to fly on RJs longer than 2 1/2 hours (he said 2 hours to the SLC people, and 2 1/2 to the press). Face it, the passengers are back in "numbers", it's just the fares are half. We need to have a cost reduction, and part of that will come from Dalpa and creditors....

Bye Bye--General Lee

Well there you have it! If he said it to the press and it was printed in the papers, then it HAS to come true doesn't it? Never any BS to be found in the paper!

Yes the load factors are higher and I hope that you get your wish with regard to the mainline growth again. It would be good for all of us.

As for your repeated public pleas for x to ream you, that stuff may be the standard at mainline, but I don't swing like that!

 

[FLB717]

I just hope that is DALPA takes a cut they have snapback provisions and Managment pay reductions as part of the plan. But I doubt GG things he should take a cut.

 

[rgd]

Don't argue with the general about this stuff. He is so pollyanna that it's useless. It's ok for GG to change his mind about song, but he would NEVER change his mind about bargaining for any 100 seat A/C to be flown by DCI . If he did that, the generals whole world of make believe would crash in on him. Here is a "general" rule of thumb. If it works out in the generals best interest, then it HAS to happen that way, if not, it CAN'T and WON'T. What a great world to live in!

 

[General Lee]

RGD,


So, you want larger aircraft brought down, instead of you going up and getting better perks at a larger airline? Hmmmmm. At the same SLC meeting he said he changed his mind about Song and that he "couldn't see DCI pilots flying the 100 seaters." Ya see, he was saying this to ALL of the Delta employees at the SLC hub---not just the pilots. Everyone at mainline sees that DCI is getting more RJs and everyone at Mainline is worried about that. Most of the questions apparently came from the non-pilot group. (even the gate agents and ramp people don't want to lose their Delta jobs and have to go over to DCI for less money and benefits....but you knew that already...JERK!) A lot of people have a lot riding on how big mainline stays---and grows. You are so focused on staying at DCI and trying to fly larger---when most people want to have the opportunity to go up to a larger airline and have better perks. We will always have better perks than you--and that is a fact. You may have a great life at DCI and want to stay there----great. But, there are many more that want a better quality of life and an opportunity to get paid more and fly bigger planes to farther away cities----but you would rather bring the larger planes down to the lower pay scale and subsidiary with less perks----GOOD FOR YOU----JERK!

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[DLslug]

WOW:


Hey, General, whaat's up!? I think your point is well taken, just remember, everyone has their own path...let's just leave it there.

I agree that Delta mainline jets are the benchmark for how Delta will go. The same is true at other airlines. If you are not growing your mainline product, you are dying on the vine.

No business should ever continue to expand their subsidiary products at the cost of the main product. The two or more products should compliment each other with the mainline product being further enhanced. Right now that is not the case. It would be like Coke pushing it's water product so much that they begin to remove it from the shelf.

Delta is currently going the wrong direction. Let's hope someone can turn it around.
All for now,

DLslug

 

[rgd]

General, you are so sensitive! What a freaking baby. I never said I wanted anything in my post. You seem content on telling me what I want and what I need. Well jerk, this aint delta and you don't get to impose any limits on me here. I get sick of reading your pie in the sky arm-chair quartebacking. My point was how you go on and on ad nausem about how right you are about everything. I bet your a real joy to fly with. You don't have a clue more than anybody else on here about what's gonna happen, but you talk like GG calls you everyday to discuss what he should do next. You post make yourself sound like you know everything about fuel, the stock market, and airline consulting. YOUR A FRIGGIN PILOT. It get so old I wanna drive my car into a bridge embankment. You sound like you want regional pilots to bow to you and let your group have everything so we can one day be there too. Well, smarty, what if it never happens? We are suppose to sacrifice so we can hope one day we can be at almighty delta? The way things look, that will never happen for alot of people. I will take my PIC turbine 121 time and go to SW, JB, Airtran, AW, Virgin America, ATA, or any other growing business savy airline that is comparable. RJ's can't compete with them and neither can legacy carriers. That is a better option than sitting sharing the pain hoping one day I work for some dinosaur that will only be able fly international because they have been made obsolete by airlines that know how to compete in todays environment. You blame managment for eveything that went wrong there, then why should I trust them to provide a stable growing work enviroment? My job is to fly the plane, theirs is to make a profit. If they are as bad as you say, then I don't want to work there anyway.

 

[General Lee]

DLslug,


You are a wise man. Many of the DCI pilots see their role as primary---when they are really used to "connect" passengers to our flights primarily. I understand that some people enjoy "their weeknds off" and "don't want to take an initial pay cut"--and stay over there---and I think that is great. But, for them to want to bring mainline flying down to them so that they can fly the bigger ones and still retain their precious "weekends off" while screwing everyone else---is ignorant.

Take care DLslug---you are the MAN!

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[DenverDude2002]

I really hope Delta pulls through this and comes out strong. They are still my favorite airline to fly on and Ive logged the most pax time with them than any other airline. If they need more capacity I say bring back the 727! (I i wish lol)

 

[General Lee]

Rgd,


So I am a baby! Whaaa!! Whatever. You don't seem to understand your own comments and what the whole of Delta thinks. It aint just about you and me---there are many more people involved here. We are doing our part at mainline(pilots) and will give back a lot of cash--but for that we will want the lion's share of the new aircraft---and that will help other Delta people retain their jobs or even come back. (we still have 1060 furloughs out---30 less July 1st---and 1500 flight attendants also on furlough----plus countless ramp people and gate agents out on leaves) They all want to come back--not just us cry baby pilots---everyone!

But, you don't want that. You want them to take larger cuts and less perks and go down to DCI. You want DCI to grow huge and have a small mainline. Nice. Delta has laid off 16,000 people since 9-11, and DCI has grown huge. We have 2500 less pilots now than pre-9-11, and that includes the 1060 pilots on furlough that are slowly coming back. After our cost reductions, can't we have some people come back to work, if it is ok with you? Oh yeah, ASA and Comair are hiring pilots, ramp people, gate agents, etc.....I forgot...

As far as "knowing everything", I am well read. I don't claim to know everything, but I have an answer (usually an article with some facts) ready at every moment. And, if you really think Mainline can't compete with the LCCs (even they don't do hub and spoke as much and INTL yet)---then why don't you go apply to those LCCs? See ya.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[wil]

General- My job is to feed mainline. Many of us do not like replacing mainline routes. I understand my role in our disfunctional family and I hope that the pride and motivation that I bring to the job impresses our passengers and makes there connection a seamless transaction.
I for one hope that Delta turns the revenue picture around as I would love the opportunity to move on to Mama D. I could be a lifer at ASA to who knows? One thing I do know is my role in the big picture. I don't want to see 100 seaters with us. Cheers- Wil

BTW- Why won't Delta look at the 717? Seems like a good AC.

 

[DLslug]

Wil:


Thanks for the thoughtful comments and not just bashing. Nice job.

Look forward to having you one day.

All for now,

DLslug

 

[lowecur]

BTW- Why won't Delta look at the 717? Seems like a good AC.

Good questions wil. The same reason that FL bought the 737NG...........it can't make the turn to the West Coast from ATL. When they close the hubs at DFW and SLC, this will make it even more important to have a 100 seater that can pull that off.

The advantage of the E-series is their versatility. They can fly the short routes cheaper than the 717, and they can fill in to the left coast when the routes become thin.

 

[General Lee]

Wil,


Yes, as DLSlug said--thank you for not bashing us. We are trying to get this solved one way or the other. Guys like Rgd feel the need to advocate lower pay wages for pilots who fly larger planes---and then he wants to fly their planes. He would probably fly the 777s for $100 an hour as Capt---just because it is more than what he is getting on the RJ.

I am glad you see it all that way, and thanks to ASA again for helping a lot of our furloughs. I think you will eventually get that chance to go to Mainline---and if there isn't an actual flow through type deal--I will eventually try to get you over here anyway. I will also get Sleepy and Rgd a job here too---lav dumping. (please wear the full face mask---it will prevent infections)

Lowecur,

I hope we eventually get some sort of 100 seater, and if the price is right (which would be key after we pilots give back pay)--I wonder what the role would be of a future 100 seater at Delta? The current 100 seater (the 737-200) does not do any coast to coast flying, and mainly stays around the ATL and CVG hubs. I was told that the SLC chief pilot said that they needed a 100 seater out there too---allowing them to go back to Montana. I guess it will come down to the amount of money we eventually give up, and the deal that could be made with Boeing, Embrear, or Airbus. But, I have also heard that we MIGHT get a good deal with Canadair for some of the CR9s (not 100 seats, but close) and they might be willing to trade in some of the options or orders of the CRJ-50s for a smaller number of CR9s. That could be an option--if the price is right and everything else falls into place.....Mesa flies those CR9s from PHX to MEM---which is a good range.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[lowecur]

But, I have also heard that we MIGHT get a good deal with Canadair for some of the CR9s (not 100 seats, but close) and they might be willing to trade in some of the options or orders of the CRJ-50s for a smaller number of CR9s. That could be an option--if the price is right and everything else falls into place.....Mesa flies those CR9s from PHX to MEM---which is a good range.

They would have to pay you guys to take them. The range for the 900 is around 1800nm vs 2100nm for the 175 @86pax. Economically, the 175 is about 30% cheaper to operate than the 900. Can you see why so few have been sold? If DL ever does buy the 900, then I know mgt is on another planet. But at least they would give them to DCI.

 

[sleepy]

Why would some ASA or Comair pilot want to start over again at the bottom of the DAL seniority list to fly a 100 seat aircraft if they could stay at ASA or Comair and fly the same aircraft from the top of the seniority list?

Why be DAL furlough fodder when you could have a great schedule and a secure job at ASA or Comair? The better schedule and benefits at DAL? Well, I have a feeling that they won't be so much better than ASA and Comair after CH11.

 

[MedFlyer]

I agree that any 100 seater should be flown by mainline. However, I'm not all that worried about DL getting a 100 seater anytime soon. Even after concessions, DL will still be buried in debt. If DL goes out and starts buying up lots of new planes, it will only bury DL deeper in debt. Take a look at AMR...it's been over a year since they got concessions and you don't seem them buying tons of new planes.

In fact, I wouldn't be all that surprised if DL mainline shrinks a little bit over the next year or two. The leases on the 732's will be expiring and DL really doesn't want to renew them. If DL manages to schedule more efficiently

 

[FDJ2]

But at least they would give them to DCI.

Lowecur, the E-170 does not meet the definition of a permitted aircraft, as defined in the DAL PWA, since it has a maximum certificated configuration of 78 seats.

 

[lowecur]

I agree that any 100 seater should be flown by mainline. However, I'm not all that worried about DL getting a 100 seater anytime soon. Even after concessions, DL will still be buried in debt. If DL goes out and starts buying up lots of new planes, it will only bury DL deeper in debt. Take a look at AMR...it's been over a year since they got concessions and you don't seem them buying tons of new planes.

Well for my investment sake, I hope they do take the fling. AMR I think made a mistake not going 11 at the time. The reason they haven't ordered the E-series is they can't get the voluntary rate reductions necessary from mainline to compete with B6, UAIR, or the new Republic. 11 would have made that much easier. Greenjeans won't make that mistake.

 

[lowecur]

Lowecur, the E-170 does not meet the definition of a permitted aircraft, as defined in the DAL PWA, since it has a maximum certificated configuration of 78 seats.

I was referring to the CRJ900 in that sentence. Of course, all things considered this could only take place one of two ways.

 

[80drvr]

Well for my investment sake, I hope they do take the fling. AMR I think made a mistake not going 11 at the time. The reason they haven't ordered the E-series is they can't get the voluntary rate reductions necessary from mainline to compete with B6, UAIR, or the new Republic. 11 would have made that much easier. Greenjeans won't make that mistake.

What are you talking about? Have you seen AA's rates lately?