Message from CS - April 11, 2008
Your suggestions have begun to show some measurable improvements to our daily operation and combined with some weather breaks, last week’s completion factor and on-time departures were considerably improved. One of the suggestions that made a huge difference has to do with kickoff flights. We’ve gone from the 60s to the 80-90% range for on-time departures – not quite at the goal, but still a significant improvement in a short amount of time.
On another subject, it looks like Delta pilots have reached an agreement that will allow the Delta Northwest merger to be proposed. There would still be a lot of regulatory review, but the likelihood is that it would be approved. I mention this because our Delta operation is one area where we are experiencing operation problems, particularly with unplanned maintenance. With no spares, the completion factor has been hit hard, and Delta is one of the places we must hit a home run to get more business. Right now we aren’t doing that and we need to stay focused on that part of the business.
A couple of other items came up on this week’s Pinnacle People Conference Call. We’re still waiting on the federal mediator to set the next date to return to the table with our Pilots for contract negotiations. We remain optimistic that we’ll get a deal done soon that will be fair to both the Airline and our Pilots. Also, someone asked about Simply the Best bonuses. As you know, those are based on operational and financial performance, and right now, our operational performance is well below where it needs to be, which also impacts financial performance. But, as I mentioned above, we’re seeing improvement in many areas that will get us back to STB bonus territory.
Unfortunately, we have to crawl out of a very deep hole.
Finally this week, thanks again for all of the suggestions you’ve sent. Using the talents and knowledge of all of our People, when you consider the wealth of talent we have in every area, makes us one of the strongest operations in the industry. Please keep your suggestions coming through your Managers, and through the Flypinnacle.com employee section of the website. We’re moving the suggestion button to a place where it’s easier to use. Your input is valuable, and it doesn’t matter how minor you think the suggestion might be. They are really valuable. So are you, and that’s why I remind you every week to please take care of each other.
Your suggestions have begun to show some measurable improvements to our daily operation and combined with some weather breaks, last week’s completion factor and on-time departures were considerably improved. One of the suggestions that made a huge difference has to do with kickoff flights. We’ve gone from the 60s to the 80-90% range for on-time departures – not quite at the goal, but still a significant improvement in a short amount of time.
On another subject, it looks like Delta pilots have reached an agreement that will allow the Delta Northwest merger to be proposed. There would still be a lot of regulatory review, but the likelihood is that it would be approved. I mention this because our Delta operation is one area where we are experiencing operation problems, particularly with unplanned maintenance. With no spares, the completion factor has been hit hard, and Delta is one of the places we must hit a home run to get more business. Right now we aren’t doing that and we need to stay focused on that part of the business.
A couple of other items came up on this week’s Pinnacle People Conference Call. We’re still waiting on the federal mediator to set the next date to return to the table with our Pilots for contract negotiations. We remain optimistic that we’ll get a deal done soon that will be fair to both the Airline and our Pilots. Also, someone asked about Simply the Best bonuses. As you know, those are based on operational and financial performance, and right now, our operational performance is well below where it needs to be, which also impacts financial performance. But, as I mentioned above, we’re seeing improvement in many areas that will get us back to STB bonus territory.
Unfortunately, we have to crawl out of a very deep hole.
Finally this week, thanks again for all of the suggestions you’ve sent. Using the talents and knowledge of all of our People, when you consider the wealth of talent we have in every area, makes us one of the strongest operations in the industry. Please keep your suggestions coming through your Managers, and through the Flypinnacle.com employee section of the website. We’re moving the suggestion button to a place where it’s easier to use. Your input is valuable, and it doesn’t matter how minor you think the suggestion might be. They are really valuable. So are you, and that’s why I remind you every week to please take care of each other.
