Northwest to shrink and get rid of more DC9's than planned?

[ATRCA]

Just to put this argument to rest regarding the DC9's: First, a point worth clarifying regarding NWA scope is that when our narrow body floor is set next
month, the Co. can go 10 below the floor based on 90 76 seaters at Compass and Mesaba. Since they
are only ordering 72 76 seaters, NWA can go an additional 18 below the floor for a total of 28.
This allows NW to go below the 68 forecast for the end of 08' without penalty. We had 92 at the beginning of 08' minus 28 would put us at ~64 without having to start parking 76 seaters. So unless Northwest reopens the contract for negotiation, there isn't much room to park more DC9s.

Secondly, everyone thinks the DC9 is so fuel inefficient compared to more modern aircraft. The truth is that the DC9 has the same fuel efficiency on flights under 1 hr as an A319. It becomes much more ineffiencient on flights over 1 hour. Plus consider that they are paid for and the revenue/flight hr is not bad.

I read recently that a DC-9 is 50% more expensive per seat/mile cost than a NG 737. Thats tough. Thats way more exposure to high fuel costs. With NWA having no replacement a/c on order (other than big RJ's) to replace the 9's I wonder if bigger cuts are coming. In the end, everyone will be hurting if fuel prices continue to climb. Some just more than others.

 

[WSurf]

but one thing is for sure, I won't be on a crappy DC9 flying to Rochester, MN or Duluth. I never said I was "better" than anyone else, but I do fly to more exciting cities. Have a great one.


Bye Bye--General Lee

?????????? Boy you kinda contradicted yourself there in one sentence.

I know I am on a Dash 8 and I fly to crappy places. But when you love being home does it really matter where you are when your gone. Away from home is away from. So if that Guy in the DC9 is spending more time at home, i would take it. Who really cares what you fly.

 

[General Lee]

?????????? Boy you kinda contradicted yourself there in one sentence.

I know I am on a Dash 8 and I fly to crappy places. But when you love being home does it really matter where you are when your gone. Away from home is away from. So if that Guy in the DC9 is spending more time at home, i would take it. Who really cares what you fly.

Well, I usually do 3 day trips to Europe worth over 20 hours, or a 4 day to Rio worth 20 plus hours. I would think I am home often, and often with a tan. That doesn't make me "better" than anyone else, just someone with a better tan. NWA DC9 guys I have talked to said they have some 5 day trips, and our domestic flying is restricted to 4 days max. (I have never seen a 5 day DOM trip unless extended by wx etc). So, if NWA has a lot of 5 day trips on the DC9, then which plane would you pick again?

And seriously, you should care what you fly. There is a big difference between planes, and the only reason you say that is because you haven't flown many types. Get away from the Dash, and you will open your eyes. IF you want to stay in New Bern the rest of your life, then the Dash is for you.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[JoeMerchant]

?????????? Boy you kinda contradicted yourself there in one sentence.

I know I am on a Dash 8 and I fly to crappy places. But when you love being home does it really matter where you are when your gone. Away from home is away from. So if that Guy in the DC9 is spending more time at home, i would take it. Who really cares what you fly.

BINGO.....the mainline guys seem to want to fly "little airplanes" when the furloughs start.....

Wasn't the DC9-10 one of the early "RJs"?

 

[Superpilot92]

Thanks for that diatribe Dad....... Anyway, my seniority affords me the ability to go places I enjoy. I have options, and probably will continue to have them. I have put in my time, and I take this job seriously, but also enjoy it. Nobody knows what will happen in the future, but one thing is for sure, I won't be on a crappy DC9 flying to Rochester, MN or Duluth. I never said I was "better" than anyone else, but I do fly to more exciting cities. Have a great one.


Bye Bye--General Lee

SJS!! :laugh:

 

[General Lee]

BINGO.....the mainline guys seem to want to fly "little airplanes" when the furloughs start.....

Wasn't the DC9-10 one of the early "RJs"?

The people who keep saying that have never made the leap forward. You should try it Joe, if you can pass the interview. Some of you are afraid of just that.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

SJS!! :laugh:

Is your plane shiny? When was it last buffed? Anyway, have you been studying approach plates, Sids/stars, and how to read charts? Get to it.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Superpilot92]

Is your plane shiny? When was it last buffed? Anyway, have you been studying approach plates, Sids/stars, and how to read charts? Get to it.


Bye Bye--General Lee

man, you have never used that one before I think i hear an echo.....:erm:

When was it last buffed?? WTF GLuke:

 

[JoeMerchant]

The people who keep saying that have never made the leap forward. You should try it Joe, if you can pass the interview. Some of you are afraid of just that.

Bye Bye--General Lee

...sorry....can't afford the paycut....or the QOL hit.....If you can pass the interview at DAL....anyone should be able to......Everytime you post you prove that the Delta hiring formula is flawed.....

 

[General Lee]

...sorry....can't afford the paycut....or the QOL hit.....If you can pass the interview at DAL....anyone should be able to......Everytime you post you prove that the Delta hiring formula is flawed.....

Sounds like RJDC mantra. "I can't afford a pay cut, I can't afford losing my QOL......so we should get bigger planes at the regionals so I don't lose my 4 weeks vacation at Myrtle Beach.....if not, I will SUE!"

Do you think you could pass the DL interview? If we had a test on repetitive banter, you would pass. Regardless, I am here, and I really enjoy it.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[NuGuy]

So, then you married her? Were you that desperate? Did you go to UND? You were an Undie, right?

LOL, is that the BEST you can do there Pvt. Lee? While I didn't go there, I wouldn't dis UND too much, otherwise Dougie will revoke your lifetime membership over at JetCareerz.com. What will all the newbies over there think? You won't impress them anymore!

But I'm sure that skanks at Dekalb Community College wouldn't have anything to do with you, since this is probably close to your body type:

http://ambernight.org/Pictures/south_park_wow.jpg

Is this you?

Nu

 

[IamGumbyDammit]

The people who keep saying that have never made the leap forward. You should try it Joe, if you can pass the interview. Some of you are afraid of just that.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Who's dink did you suck in HR to get your interview, or are you part of the quota?

 

[Wesb737fo]

I read recently that a DC-9 is 50% more expensive per seat/mile cost than a NG 737. Thats tough. Thats way more exposure to high fuel costs. With NWA having no replacement a/c on order (other than big RJ's) to replace the 9's I wonder if bigger cuts are coming. In the end, everyone will be hurting if fuel prices continue to climb. Some just more than others.

Seeing that compass plans to have 36 E-175's by the end of the year. (year 3 CA pay $65/hr FO $23/hr) might answer the question.

 

[Occam's Razor]

How many hours are they required to put on those jets to be in compliance with your PWA? What constitutes parking a jet? What if they keep the jet on their certificate and just don't fly it?

We don't use "hours" in our 1.D.2 as DAL does. We use hulls, then define them.

"Parking" is when the airworthiness certificate lapses, or in the case of "heavy checks" (which might allow a cert. to lapse), we use insurance status.

None of our DC-9's carry hull insurance, since none of them are leased (they're all owned). ALPA tracks the liability insurance status of each hull through the underwriter. (We have a full voting memeber on the NWA Board of Directors) On any given day we'll have 2-3 hulls that are not flying for OTHER than mx issues. They're active aircraft, but used as spares.

The "inactive" aircraft list is published once a quarter, but is only a general reference. Management must comply month-to-month.

As with most limitations in the PWA, this is one that we've had to tighten over the years dueto management's creative interpretations.

 

[Superpilot92]

Seeing that compass plans to have 36 E-175's by the end of the year. (year 3 CA pay $65/hr FO $23/hr) might answer the question.

Wrong do some research would you......