Delta to recall more pilots

[General Lee]

Press ReleaseSource: Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Delta to Recall More Pilots
Wednesday November 29, 1:00 pm ET
ATLANTA, Nov. 29, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines today announced plans to recall approximately 200 additional pilots in 2007. This latest recall expands on the approximately 250 previously furloughed pilots that have been recalled since June 2005.


Delta pilots are key to our plan and the ongoing transformation of our international network and we are thrilled to be calling more of our people back to work,'' said Jim Whitehurst, Delta's chief operating officer. ``By every indication, including this and other recent employee recalls, Delta's plan is working and we are on track.''

Flight Operations is very pleased to be recalling more of our pilots back to service at Delta. We look forward to further supporting the company's network restructuring and international expansion,'' said Captain Steve Dickson, vice-president of Flight Operations and a 757/767 Captain. ``This is a very positive development and I am hopeful that we will be able to offer recall to all remaining pilots on furlough this year based on Delta's plans for international flying.''

Much of the new flying is a result of the 2007 international expansion and Delta's planned acquisition of 13 Boeing 757 aircraft.

Delta also has assembled a team to oversee a revamped pilot hiring process should the need for new-hire pilots come to fruition after the completion of furlough recalls next year.

Earlier this month, Delta announced a recall of 700 maintenance professionals and 1,000 flight attendants. To date in 2006, Delta has announced the recalls of approximately 900 maintenance professionals and 1,200 flight attendants. In September, Delta announced its second pilot recall of 2006, with a total of approximately 130 pilots recalled this year. The company continues to hire in its Airport Customer Service and Reservations divisions.

Delta continues to make significant progress in all areas of its restructuring and remains focused on its plan to emerge from Chapter 11 during the first half of 2007 as a stand-alone carrier.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

TROY KANE............Step right up...........

Good news!!!

 

[michael707767]

Delta also has assembled a team to oversee a revamped pilot hiring process should the need for new-hire pilots come to fruition after the completion of furlough recalls next year.

I am certain Delta will be hiring in 07. As long as the USAir merger is hanging over our heads, I doubt any remaining furlough who has a decent job will accept recall. I don't think the merger will happen, but I would not give up a good job to come back to Delta until I knew what the future held.

 

[General Lee]

I agree. DL and USAir will have a meet and greet with the unsecured Creditor committee on Thursday supposedly, and USAir will have a chance to show it's plan, including the integration plan (which they haven't done yet with their AWA merger). I have a feeling there will be a lot of questions and strange looks on some of the faces in that board room. Parker says there are only 10 routes that have the same flights (city pairings) in the combined system (like the Shuttles, LGA--NAS, etc). Of course he must be forgetting about all of the small cities that we both go to (not from the same cities, though, like ATL and CLT---like Huntington, WV), that will get service cut or reduced. Unlikely merger, indeed. And Parker can say with a straight face that our routes don't really overlap? Huh?

As far as the furloughed pilots go, I would be cautious, but optimistic.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Noserider76]

One thing to think about; It's never been a good thing to be on furlough during a merger. If you want to come back I think it would be better to do it before any possible seniority list merge. Welcome back! We need you.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

One thing to think about; It's never been a good thing to be on furlough during a merger. If you want to come back I think it would be better to do it before any possible seniority list merge. Welcome back! We need you.

While I agree with you in one way, I think the focus of someone coming back should be on the overall growth or shrinkage of the operation. I think it sets you up for a possible furlough AFTER a merger if the combined company shrinks. I know, I know Delta is growing right now. But I think its smart to wait and see if a merger will really happen before giving up a stable job while on furlough.

Great growth in international fly at Delta right now. But furloughes are coming back to domestic flying that may be cut once again.

Parker, or anyone else in the future, may say no furloughes with shrinkage covered by retirements, but they really can't say what the economy will bring the next 24-48 months. In a merger scenario you may get back in the bottom 10 and stay there for 4 years. I would rather wait out the drama and come back when hiring is going gangbusters.

 

[jonjuan]

I am certain Delta will be hiring in 07. As long as the USAir merger is hanging over our heads, I doubt any remaining furlough who has a decent job will accept recall. I don't think the merger will happen, but I would not give up a good job to come back to Delta until I knew what the future held.

What happens when they get to the end of the list-can he/she turn down recall and wait on what might happen?

 

[Crzipilot]

General,

It sounds like you sleep with the creditors committee's, seeing as how you know are assume to know what goes through their heads and what they will be thinking with all of this. Interesting indeed.

 

[pgcfii2002]

I hope this merger doesn't go through.........

 

[JetMonkey]

including the integration plan (which they haven't done yet with their AWA merger). I have a feeling there will be a lot of questions and strange looks on some of the faces in that board room. Parker says there are only 10 routes that have the same flights (city pairings) in the combined system (like the Shuttles, LGA--NAS, etc). Of course he must be forgetting about all of the small cities that we both go to (not from the same cities, though, like ATL and CLT---like Huntington, WV), that will get service cut or reduced. Unlikely merger, indeed. And Parker can say with a straight face that our routes don't really overlap? Huh?

Bye Bye--General Lee

I'm not sure what you mean, seniority or operational intergration? Operationally he's shown all of us time and time again the plan, before and after the merge. Seniority will be handled by the arbitrator starting next week, not much he can do there unless it burdens the company with training costs.

 

[michael707767]

What happens when they get to the end of the list-can he/she turn down recall and wait on what might happen?

Yes. Our recall system is not like other airlines. You can bypass for up to 10 years from the time you were furloughed.

 

[General Lee]

General,

It sounds like you sleep with the creditors committee's, seeing as how you know are assume to know what goes through their heads and what they will be thinking with all of this. Interesting indeed.

I just go by what I hear and read directly from our management. If you need 51% to turn down a merger attempt, and most of the creditors appear to be on your side of the issue, then I would say you could be pretty confident. Am I 100% sure? No. Do I think it is highly UNLIKEY for a merger, from what I am hearing? Yes. Dalpa is the largest creditor. Would they like to be a part of the USAir quagmire? No. Boeing. Do they want to send their orders to Airbus? No. How about Pratt? Nope. Coke is based in ATL. Nothing more to say there, they are buddies with our management. Probably play a lot of golf together. The PBGC supposedly just agreed to our terms. There is another one. Fidelity is our sole 401K provider. That is good.

Then, look at how the creditor committee AGREED to giving the retired pilots an extra $719 million in claims. That bolster's DALPA's share because you don't sell the claim until after BK is over. USAir won't want us after, due to the fact that we will be more expensive and Parker won't be able to change contracts, vendors, etc. Get the picture yet? You will--I give it a 95% chance YOU WILL.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

I'm not sure what you mean, seniority or operational intergration? Operationally he's shown all of us time and time again the plan, before and after the merge. Seniority will be handled by the arbitrator starting next week, not much he can do there unless it burdens the company with training costs.

I guess the 600 pilots picketing were just doing it for the exercise? Not for any other reason? And yeah, seniority doesn't mean much. Ask the teamsters that beat up the 5 AWA guys that went to PHL to talk about it....Don't you rememeber that? Nah, no big deal.....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Crzipilot]

Lesse, We serve coke products.......We are in talks with boeing. Fidelity I believe is our 401k provider... And interesting that the lawyer for the creditors "

Golden said the creditors committee will go into the meeting with an open mind, even as Delta has said it opposes a merger and hopes to emerge from bankruptcy in the first half of next year as a standalone company. The head of Delta's pilots union has expressed support for Delta's plan. The union is a member of the creditors committee. "We have great respect for Delta's management," Golden said. "We think they've done a very good job in Chapter 11. But at the end of the day we're going to make a determination about what works best for the estate and the unsecured creditors."


Doesn't sound like he's making a painfull face here. Looks like he's going to take a look and see where the best money is for the creditors..... Who knows....

 

[m80drvr]

I guess the 600 pilots picketing were just doing it for the exercise? Not for any other reason? And yeah, seniority doesn't mean much. Ask the teamsters that beat up the 5 AWA guys that went to PHL to talk about it....Don't you rememeber that? Nah, no big deal.....


Bye Bye--General Lee

Hey General stick with what you know or think you know.

The picket was for our joint contract, not seniority. The fight in Philly was between rampers and baggage handlers from two different unions. AGAIN not about seniority.

This merger has not been totally smooth BUT it has gone to plan and we the employees have been informed every step of the way.

Relax you will experience Doug's merger method, and communication soon enough.

 

[Dizel8]

The only thing the creditors will worry about is how much money is to be made of this, seniority intergration etc. is the least of their worries.

Maybe DALPA is in the drivers seat, after all, the general says they are one of the largest creditors, however, history has shown, that the money men have the real power.

Besides, if the current pilots at Delta are shown enough money, they will probably sign! Sort of like the UAL pilots and the attempted U merger.

 

[Flys4Fun]

I just go by what I hear and read directly from our management.

Oh really? Me too...so what makes you so much more knowledged in this whole merger situation than me?

Your company says it won't go through...my company says it will...

Your company says US Airways is nuts for even suggesting a merger...my company says it makes perfect sense...

I believe we're at an impass.

The integration has been occuring starting with the route system and appearance. Pardon the cliche...but Rome wasn't built in a day.

• Overall appearance has been in the process of integration for a while now.
• The route system is being merged slowly as can be expected. US Airways east metal have been integrated into the west's flight system over the past few months and will continue their integration in the new year.
• 122/358 aircraft have been given the new paint scheme as of November 27, 2006.
• Ticket counters are now combined at most of the airports served by both US and HP.
• Fare class synchronization is complete. All that remains now is combining SHARES (HP) with SABRE (US), two different pieces of software. For those who have not worked with either...SHARES is an easy-to-us GUI interface, while SABRE is a command-string based software. This is nearing completion but like with any software it has its bugs...believe me on this one. ugh.
• TWU has withdrawn representation of the Fleet Service Agents and IAM has picked it up.
• Following the merger, fares in 350 cities were lowered at an average reduction of 24%.
• FlightFund/Dividend Miles have been merged.

As far as the fare-paying CUSTOMERS are concerned...we're one airline. I'd say revenue-producing customers are equally as important as employees. That being said, I recognize how important it is for flight crews and rampers to have a contract......but don't say, "which they haven't done yet with their AWA merger" unless you know the facts.

bye bye general lee!

 

[DAL737FO]

but don't say, "which they haven't done yet with their AWA merger" unless you know the facts.

bye bye general lee!

Flys4Fun,

GL is pointing out that your seniority lists haven't been merged yet. I understand it's going to an arbitrator which doesn't surprise me. How do you think it will effect morale/working environment once it's all said and done? I think the point of his post is that all the loose ends are not tied up yet with your last merger.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Not to toss a bomb on this nice discussion, but has anyone been watching what ALPA has been arguing in the Comair 113 deal so that ALPA can get its hands on the US Air Merger proposal?

Issue #2: What of the US Air RJ pilots? It will be interesting to see how ALPA would represent seniority list jet for job refugees, junior America West pilots, furloughed Delta pilots and the wholly owneds in this dog fight.

I'm getting some popcorn and a comfortable chair. And before you say it, yeah I know the 50 seater I fly would be pickled and parked somewhere first.

 

[BILL LUMBERG]

Oh really? Me too...so what makes you so much more knowledged in this whole merger situation than me?

Your company says it won't go through...my company says it will...

Your company says US Airways is nuts for even suggesting a merger...my company says it makes perfect sense...

I believe we're at an impass.

The integration has been occuring starting with the route system and appearance. Pardon the cliche...but Rome wasn't built in a day.

• Overall appearance has been in the process of integration for a while now.
• The route system is being merged slowly as can be expected. US Airways east metal have been integrated into the west's flight system over the past few months and will continue their integration in the new year.
• 122/358 aircraft have been given the new paint scheme as of November 27, 2006.
• Ticket counters are now combined at most of the airports served by both US and HP.
• Fare class synchronization is complete. All that remains now is combining SHARES (HP) with SABRE (US), two different pieces of software. For those who have not worked with either...SHARES is an easy-to-us GUI interface, while SABRE is a command-string based software. This is nearing completion but like with any software it has its bugs...believe me on this one. ugh.
• TWU has withdrawn representation of the Fleet Service Agents and IAM has picked it up.
• Following the merger, fares in 350 cities were lowered at an average reduction of 24%.
• FlightFund/Dividend Miles have been merged.

As far as the fare-paying CUSTOMERS are concerned...we're one airline. I'd say revenue-producing customers are equally as important as employees. That being said, I recognize how important it is for flight crews and rampers to have a contract......but don't say, "which they haven't done yet with their AWA merger" unless you know the facts.

bye bye general lee!

YEAH sure, So I guess that whole 2 certificate thing is just fluff and list integration is just minor static.........

Your "integration" isn't over.............facts are facts........

 

[Flys4Fun]

Your "integration" isn't over.............facts are facts........

Show me where I said our integration is complete...I'd be interested to know.

 

[Rogue5]

If you need 51% to turn down a merger attempt, and most of the creditors appear to be on your side of the issue, then I would say you could be pretty confident.

Anyone else remember the last time Jen Lee was talking about a vote that only needed "50.1%" to be shot down, how he guaranteed it would fail, and how all that turned out?

I bet most of us do...

 

[johnsonrod]

Are all USAirways/AWA aircraft using the "cactus" callsign? That would show signs of further integration - right?

 

[Flys4Fun]

Are all USAirways/AWA aircraft using the "cactus" callsign?

Nope. Correct me if I'm wrong (which I probably am), doesn't that have to do with the operating certificates?

 

[crjdxr]

Not to toss a bomb on this nice discussion, but has anyone been watching what ALPA has been arguing in the Comair 113 deal so that ALPA can get its hands on the US Air Merger proposal?

Issue #2: What of the US Air RJ pilots? It will be interesting to see how ALPA would represent seniority list jet for job refugees, junior America West pilots, furloughed Delta pilots and the wholly owneds in this dog fight.

I'm getting some popcorn and a comfortable chair. And before you say it, yeah I know the 50 seater I fly would be pickled and parked somewhere first.

Did the judge quash that motion?

 

[General Lee]

The only thing the creditors will worry about is how much money is to be made of this, seniority intergration etc. is the least of their worries.

Maybe DALPA is in the drivers seat, after all, the general says they are one of the largest creditors, however, history has shown, that the money men have the real power.

Besides, if the current pilots at Delta are shown enough money, they will probably sign! Sort of like the UAL pilots and the attempted U merger.

I think you are wrong. There are 9 members on the unsecured creditor committee, and atleast 6 are pro-Delta (Dalpa, Boeing, Pratt, Coke, the PBGC (just agreed to work with us supposedly), and Fidelity). The others got worried since they knew the largest creditors were leaning that way, and two of them (banks) asked some of the bondholders to try to create a splinter group (only worth 30% of the vote) to "try to have a SAY" in what may or may not happen.

Just take a look at the creditor committee agreeing (with DL management) to giving the retired DL pilots an extra $719 million claim (could be worth about $400 million if we get 50 cents on the dollar). There were no arguments, and management asked and received that. The judge also agreed. Sounds like a lot of decension in the ranks...

Also, the DL pilots don't want to get mixed up in that quagmire. Nothing like trying to merge seniority lists with one part having the junior guy at 17 years. No thanks. The rest of our employees are NON union, and that would go over great with the heavily unionized USAir. Regardless of that, there is too much overlap (it will be shown to Jim Oberstar, the new Transportation Sub Committee Chair), the fleets aren't even close, and they can't even merge their own employees yet---after 14 months.(without fights--like the USAir rampers/baggage handlers did on those 5 AWA guys in PHL) Nah.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Hey General stick with what you know or think you know.

The picket was for our joint contract, not seniority. The fight in Philly was between rampers and baggage handlers from two different unions. AGAIN not about seniority.

This merger has not been totally smooth BUT it has gone to plan and we the employees have been informed every step of the way.

Relax you will experience Doug's merger method, and communication soon enough.

So, the picket was for the contract. Wow. Doesn't sound like a happy marriage, eh? No thanks to that. And that fight, still shows what kind of unhappy people are employed there.

And, I think you need to relax and understand what is really going on here. Sure, the creditors are in charge, infact the unsecured creditor committee will make the ultimate decision. You need to realize who is on that committee. Take a deep breathe now. That feels better, huh? Also, realize who is in charge of the Gov't oversight---the Transportation sub committee, Jim Oberstar. He doesn't want ANY mergers to happen, since that would create a domino effect, ultimately hurting the consumer. Please read his remarks (when he was just on the committee, not as Chairman NOW) about the USAir/UAL merger pre-911. He feels the same way, or atleast he sounds like it--saying "nonsense" about a possible USAir/DL merger. (on CNBC on NOV 15th) Take care. We'll see.......


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Did the judge quash that motion?

Yes, yes he did.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Anyone else remember the last time Jen Lee was talking about a vote that only needed "50.1%" to be shot down, how he guaranteed it would fail, and how all that turned out?

I bet most of us do...

Still taking away union jobs, and loving it. Wow. Maybe you will be the senior captain in CVG. Have fun on the bus ride in.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Oh really? Me too...so what makes you so much more knowledged in this whole merger situation than me?

Your company says it won't go through...my company says it will...

Your company says US Airways is nuts for even suggesting a merger...my company says it makes perfect sense...

I believe we're at an impass.

The integration has been occuring starting with the route system and appearance. Pardon the cliche...but Rome wasn't built in a day.

• Overall appearance has been in the process of integration for a while now.
• The route system is being merged slowly as can be expected. US Airways east metal have been integrated into the west's flight system over the past few months and will continue their integration in the new year.
• 122/358 aircraft have been given the new paint scheme as of November 27, 2006.
• Ticket counters are now combined at most of the airports served by both US and HP.
• Fare class synchronization is complete. All that remains now is combining SHARES (HP) with SABRE (US), two different pieces of software. For those who have not worked with either...SHARES is an easy-to-us GUI interface, while SABRE is a command-string based software. This is nearing completion but like with any software it has its bugs...believe me on this one. ugh.
• TWU has withdrawn representation of the Fleet Service Agents and IAM has picked it up.
• Following the merger, fares in 350 cities were lowered at an average reduction of 24%.
• FlightFund/Dividend Miles have been merged.

As far as the fare-paying CUSTOMERS are concerned...we're one airline. I'd say revenue-producing customers are equally as important as employees. That being said, I recognize how important it is for flight crews and rampers to have a contract......but don't say, "which they haven't done yet with their AWA merger" unless you know the facts.

bye bye general lee!

Ummmm okay. Again, look at the creditor committee, and then take a deep breathe. Then, look at the Transportation Sub Committee and who is now in charge. He don't like those mergers. Nope. And, when your guy Parker says "hey, we only have 10 overlapping routes with DL..." Who is he kidding? Ofcourse you don't fly from ATL to cities all over NC and SC. You guys fly them from CLT or PHL. If a merger were ever to take place, most of those cities would NOT have service from BOTH of those hubs. No way. Service would be cut from atleast one, leaving CHOICE out for the consumer. Southwest will take over you say? Hah. They will go to Huntington, WV? How about Lynchburg, VA? Riiiiiight. That is what the DOJ and the Transportation Sub Committee will zero in on. Loss of service to rural communities, and Congressmen in those districts will fight HARD to say NO to that merger, if it even gets passed the unsecured Creditor committee.

So, figured it out yet? Your seniority systems are NOT merged yet, and that will be a major hassle, probably fought in court (even after any arbitrator's decision). Have fun.

Bye Bye FLY4FUN---General Lee



from the latest Businessweek article about this proposed merger:


"If Grinstein and his team are to preserve Delta's independence, they now must persuade those very same creditors--a diverse group that includes Boeing Co. (BA ), the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., and even its own pilots' union--to reject US Airways' proposal and to place a bet that management's ongoing turnaround efforts will deliver a bigger long-term payback. Perhaps anticipating that US Airways or another carrier might resurface with a bid, Bastian had begun in recent weeks privately making the case to Delta's creditors that the airline would be worth far more as an independent carrier than whatever sum any suitor who came along might be willing to pay in bankruptcy. "They're going to be much richer than they think," says Bastian.