Delta to recall 65 more

[Pat Fabin]

I don't get how people are so hung-up on upgrades and what-not...as if being an FO at a major is horrible. Our reserve system is pretty darn easy and as a 7th-year 737-800 FO I make around $100k and fly some really nice trips...so I just don't see how that is so bad. Our starting pay is $48/hr with decent benefits and a 11% retirement contribution. (9%B + 2% into the 401k) In 3 years you are making more per hour than you could as a mid-seniority regional captain. Yes, there are other carriers out there that pay more, or you could be a captain in 4 years...but things change.

Ask anyone who was at CAL in the early 90s with the 13-15 year upgrade time...that has obviously changed.

Anyway, its not exactly the same as when I was hired in 2000 (2 year 737-200 upgrades....100k in year 2...etc.) but its still a very nice job in this business and I hope we get some sharp, enthusiastic people.

-PF

 

[FlyingSig]

Our reserve system is pretty darn easy

HA! Spoken like a fat-cat 800 driver. When I compare the last 6 months on reserve on the 88 vs. being on reserve on the Be1900 at CoEx.... I'd take the CoEx reserve stint because I think there were at least 2 or 3 days that I didn't fly in that 6 month span.

Although with the exception of the half dozen or so jetway/schedule check you thought you were going home-not inverse assignments I've done this year it hasn't been that bad mainly because we're so short. I've had my pick of commutable trips that I put in for the day before and almost always get what I want because there's nobody to fly all the trips. So it's kinda like having a line, you just don't know what the actual trip is until the day before.

And btw, I agree with the rest of your post.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Is it still a 12-hour call-out with a 65-hr guarantee?

 

[michael707767]

Is it still a 12-hour call-out with a 65-hr guarantee?

12 hour call out unless you are placed on short call. 70 hour guarantee.

 

[Archie Bunker]

I don't get how people are so hung-up on upgrades and what-not...as if being an FO at a major is horrible. Our reserve system is pretty darn easy and as a 7th-year 737-800 FO I make around $100k and fly some really nice trips...so I just don't see how that is so bad.

I suppose it's a good thing that you aren't "hung up" about being an FO, or really concerned about upgrading at Delta, because you're going to be stuck in that right seat for a long time. Where do you think all of those 45-50 year old dead zoner Captains hired in 1988 are going? Answer: nowhere.

Our reserve system is "pretty darn easy???" Life must be different on the 800. When I was on the 88 in ATL and SLC, we were used for every one of those 18 days a month.....I mean we were rode hard, and put away wet. If you weren't flying, you were on short call....and you would definitely get the call. No more sitting at home on long call (if you're a commuter), and relaxing like in the old days. Think your going to load up your schedule early by yellow slipping for all those 4 day/24 hr trips?....think again. With all the green slipping whores out there, there's nothing left in open time. The only trips you get are left over scraps, or sick outs.....you know the really good trips, like the 2 day/6 hour ones. I think I broke 70 hours one time while on reserve from Dec 04 to May 06 (the month I quit Delta).

You mentioned that you were a year 7 FO on the 800....last time I checked, that pays what....$96 an hour? A reserve guy getting his 70 hour reserve guarantee comes to about $80K a year gross, not counting per diem. Pretty humble in my opinion for a guy with your experience on that particular equipment.

I guess the whole point of my post is to counter the rosy picture you painted of life at Mother Delta. Hopefully, if there are any furloughees reading this, they'll understand that life at the widget factory is in no way, shape, or form similar to what you left in 2001 or 2002. Approach with caution.

 

[michael707767]

The only trips you get are left over scraps, or sick outs.....you know the really good trips, like the 2 day/6 hour ones. I think I broke 70 hours one time while on reserve from Dec 04 to May 06 (the month I quit Delta).

I can't speak to what was going on from Dec 04 to May 06, but for the last year I have to disagree with you.

I am on reserve, and very rarely do I get the 2 day/6 hour trips. See, a trip like that, while worth only 6 hours to a reserve pilot, is worth 10:30 for a regular line holder. In the vast majority of cases (at least in my category) those trips go to someone on a white slip. And now that you can go up to 15 above the ALV, there is no shortage of guys looking to pick up a nice 2 day, 6 hour block trip worth 10:30 in pay.

Probably 80% of the time I get assigned a trip, it is a three or four day rotation. I have been in my current seat for 10 months now, and only once have I failed to break 70 hours.

No, life is not the same as it was in 01. Never will be again. If you don't want to risk flying an MD-88 for 70 hours a month, bypass. I am sure there are plenty of people who will take your place.

 

[satpak77]

glory days again?

I suppose it's a good thing that you aren't "hung up" about being an FO, or really concerned about upgrading at Delta, because you're going to be stuck in that right seat for a long time. Where do you think all of those 45-50 year old dead zoner Captains hired in 1988 are going? Answer: nowhere.

Our reserve system is "pretty darn easy???" Life must be different on the 800. When I was on the 88 in ATL and SLC, we were used for every one of those 18 days a month.....I mean we were rode hard, and put away wet. If you weren't flying, you were on short call....and you would definitely get the call. No more sitting at home on long call (if you're a commuter), and relaxing like in the old days. Think your going to load up your schedule early by yellow slipping for all those 4 day/24 hr trips?....think again. With all the green slipping whores out there, there's nothing left in open time. The only trips you get are left over scraps, or sick outs.....you know the really good trips, like the 2 day/6 hour ones. I think I broke 70 hours one time while on reserve from Dec 04 to May 06 (the month I quit Delta).

You mentioned that you were a year 7 FO on the 800....last time I checked, that pays what....$96 an hour? A reserve guy getting his 70 hour reserve guarantee comes to about $80K a year gross, not counting per diem. Pretty humble in my opinion for a guy with your experience on that particular equipment.

I guess the whole point of my post is to counter the rosy picture you painted of life at Mother Delta. Hopefully, if there are any furloughees reading this, they'll understand that life at the widget factory is in no way, shape, or form similar to what you left in 2001 or 2002. Approach with caution.

nothing like some balance to the discussion. Good post.

 

[EMBpilot]

General Lee and michael707767,
Thanks for the info.

Sorry for such arrogant question.. What's the bypass deal at DAL?

 

[pilotyip]

Where else are you going to go inside or outside of flying right now and make 80K to start? You are not paid for experience, you are paid for the seat equipment your seniority allows and desires dictate.

 

[michael707767]

in case there are any Delta furloughed pilots here, they have changed the recall process. The first class in Oct will have 7 pilots. In the past they sent out 7 recall letters, and then if anyone bypassed they went right to the short notice list.

For this recall, with 65 announced recalls they have sent out 65 letters. This will give them time to see how many bypass and then start sending out more letters. So no matter where you are on the list, I urge you all to make sure your address is up to date, and be on the lookout for a recall letter. Remember you have 30 days to respond, or you are taken off the list.

Whether or not you come back is up to you. But, don't lose out on your options because your info is not up to date.

 

[ultrarunner]

How long can a DAL furloughee bypass and stay on the list?

 

[Archie Bunker]

Where else are you going to go inside or outside of flying right now and make 80K to start? You are not paid for experience, you are paid for the seat equipment your seniority allows and desires dictate.

Uh, I hate to break the news to you pal, but that is year 7 pay on the 737-800 at Delta, not starting pay. Oh, and thanks for the lesson on airline seniority, and what it allows.

 

[michael707767]

How long can a DAL furloughee bypass and stay on the list?

ten years from the time they were furloughed.

 

[dtfl]

I

I guess the whole point of my post is to counter the rosy picture you painted of life at Mother Delta. Hopefully, if there are any furloughees reading this, they'll understand that life at the widget factory is in no way, shape, or form similar to what you left in 2001 or 2002. Approach with caution.

Which is why many of us with outside jobs (reserves, etc) are bypassing. I'm crunching #s and thinking about it daily...why go back and make the same or less and sit reserve when I can be home and work in the mil reserves?
(Until that pot dries up or I need to come off bypass, obviously) Most folks are concentrating on QOL these days, I think.

 

[Archie Bunker]

I am on reserve, and very rarely do I get the 2 day/6 hour trips. See, a trip like that, while worth only 6 hours to a reserve pilot, is worth 10:30 for a regular line holder. In the vast majority of cases (at least in my category) those trips go to someone on a white slip. And now that you can go up to 15 above the ALV, there is no shortage of guys looking to pick up a nice 2 day, 6 hour block trip worth 10:30 in pay.

Well, what can I say Michael? It sounds like life on the good ship Delta reserve system is treating you well. As for guys white slipping so that they can go 15 hours above the ALV.....I didn't see a whole lot of that on the 88. Now, if you had said guys greenslipping on their days off so that they could collect 140 hours of pay per month, while we have pilots out on the street....well, I've seen plenty of that. I flew with a few 88 Captains in SLC that were averaging 4 to 7 greenslips a month....and they were proud of it! I think you can figure out where I stand on that issue, so I won't expound further.

Probably 80% of the time I get assigned a trip, it is a three or four day rotation. I have been in my current seat for 10 months now, and only once have I failed to break 70 hours.

Congrats Michael. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same luck breaking the 70 hour wall. It seemed that scheduling had it down to a science where I would fly 69.9 hours in 18 days. Very frustrating, to say the least.

No, life is not the same as it was in 01. Never will be again. If you don't want to risk flying an MD-88 for 70 hours a month, bypass. I am sure there are plenty of people who will take your place.

Hopefully, that comment was not directed at me personally, because I no longer fly for Delta. Pertaining to your comment about "plenty of people who will take my place," I understand that the short notice recall list is down to 60 something people, is that correct? With the high number of pilots bypassing recall at Delta, I imagine that HR will have to crank up the hiring machine for people off the street by.....maybe.....Spring 2007? If those are the folks you are refering to as "ready and willing" to take my place, then I agree with you. Why do you think it is that all those furloughees are bypassing recall to the Mothership? Serious question.