Some Delta/NWA route swaps......

[123]

Yes, that is what NWA will be doing.
Looking at the long term plans, I am quite surprised at a big displacement, but we do need to cover that 88 flying before the LOA expires at the end of March!

Yeah, the impression that I got from crew planning was that they were not impressed with the large displacement as it may be a temporary deal. I am sure that you have better intel than I though.

What is the LOA that expires in March?

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Doesn't a preference bid at your airline depend for a lot of people WHERE an aircraft will be based, rather than just what plane? Do they plan on releasing some actual info to your guys (rather than just board rumors) about WHERE a/c are based?

I mean, everyone gets displaced then moved around...then what happens when the a/c they moved to gets them based in some place they'd never want to be?

You'd think they'd SAVE money on training if they gave people a realistic outlook on where these planes will actually be based, so they can get their cards properly in order and stay put....

Displacements are by base and jet.

All my preferences are for ATL first...then NYC, then LAX, ordered by captain positions first, then FO with descending a/c type from largest to smallest (money is the name of the game).

 

[Superpilot92]

Has anyone gotten hard numbers on DC9 increases? Rumor has it we are going to train 20 crews a month through Nov, and that we stopped parking at ~78 airframes (58 in the original fleet plan), and will be bring more back, however there has been no confirmation on this. Memo soliciting for both Capt and F/O instructors confirmed. We will be even shorter as we transition to DAL's ALV and trip-rig....

That's why mgmt is fighting the Nwa side on our trip and duty rigs. If they comply with the contract right away they won't have the staffing needed to meet the summer flying. Games have begun. Like I said it's going to get interesting. At least the Nwa side isn't fat on pilots, the smaller the "fat" % the better off we ALL are.

 

[NuGuy]

That's why mgmt is fighting the Nwa side on our trip and duty rigs. If they comply with the contract right away they won't have the staffing needed to meet the summer flying. Games have begun. Like I said it's going to get interesting. At least the Nwa side isn't fat on pilots, the smaller the "fat" % the better off we ALL are.

Heyas Super,

While the two sides are theoretically operating under one agreement, the delayed implementation of some rather costly items to the NWA side (trip hour credit, ALV, etc) has left Delta with a cost disparity.

My guess is that they'll take advantage of it, and you'll see a shift in flying. The new FA bases in SLC and ATL are the opening shot.

Nu

 

[PuffDriver]

Heyas Super,

While the two sides are theoretically operating under one agreement, the delayed implementation of some rather costly items to the NWA side (trip hour credit, ALV, etc) has left Delta with a cost disparity.

My guess is that they'll take advantage of it, and you'll see a shift in flying. The new FA bases in SLC and ATL are the opening shot.

Nu

Yeah, don't let the facts get in the way of a good conspiracy.

 

[Fly4hire]

Heyas Super,

My guess is that they'll take advantage of it, and you'll see a shift in flying.
Nu

Ouch! I hope that is not the case. The increase in DC9 flying has been rumored some time, although this, together with stiffing us on trip-rig could all have been part of the "Grand Plan".

Might be a good reason for DALPA to get behind us on the trip-rig to have us all working under the same cost structure, however they have lost the momentum that could have gotten it in place at CBAID. It's uphill now even if they back us.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I guess that Management was given the time to implement it in the PWA, so they will use it.
As we all know, if there is anything that can be left up to interpretation, the lawyers will use it to their advantage. (That is why we need to quit negotiating for our selves, they have)

 

[PuffDriver]

Heyas Super,

While the two sides are theoretically operating under one agreement, the delayed implementation of some rather costly items to the NWA side (trip hour credit, ALV, etc) has left Delta with a cost disparity.

My guess is that they'll take advantage of it, and you'll see a shift in flying. The new FA bases in SLC and ATL are the opening shot.

Nu

You'll forgive us if the fa side of the house is NOT our primary concern right now.

As for pilots, I would submit that it is oil price and not contract rigs which are the driving force behind the latest moves. Invigorating a whole fleet for approximately 1 year does not justify cost with regard to duty rigs. Go bark up another tree. The Delta side STILL wants to hire in order to make up the shortfall in the MD88 for the summer. It is the cheapest solution available in the short term. Long term goals do not justify it--right out of the COOs mouth to me--personally.

Now go run around to all of the other boards you frequent and pass it on.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I was told the same thing too Puff, but it appears that as of late last week, they may opt to displace. I hope to get more info this week.

 

[Superpilot92]

You'll forgive us if the fa side of the house is NOT our primary concern right now.

As for pilots, I would submit that it is oil price and not contract rigs which are the driving force behind the latest moves. Invigorating a whole fleet for approximately 1 year does not justify cost with regard to duty rigs. Go bark up another tree. The Delta side STILL wants to hire in order to make up the shortfall in the MD88 for the summer. It is the cheapest solution available in the short term. Long term goals do not justify it--right out of the COOs mouth to me--personally.

Now go run around to all of the other boards you frequent and pass it on.

The dal side is overstatfed yet they want to hire? how does that make sense? I hope it happens for either side but that doesn't make much sense.

 

[PuffDriver]

I was told the same thing too Puff, but it appears that as of late last week, they may opt to displace. I hope to get more info this week.

They are going to displace. Severe shortage in the 88 right seat. The plan is not in place enough in order to justify hiring at this time. Believe me, I asked. I don't think that the SOC is remotely as far along as you think it is. Either that or the blank stare has been perfected when questions are asked.

I had to edit regarding SOC. When I refer to it, I mean a traditional SOC--where all of a sudden BAM the operations are merged. This does not preclude the FEDs from buying off on a new concept of SOC, where much of the burden is placed on Delta. If they can get the FEDS to buy off on a plan rather than an actual FOM, fleet manuals--then I think that we could see an "SOC" very soon. Hell, nothing in this merger has been traditional, so why should SOC. The day that operations are truly "one", with all fleets combined in the same operating procedures, bases in place, and crews intermingled completely--IOW complete operational freedom--is a ways off.

 

[PuffDriver]

The dal side is overstatfed yet they want to hire? how does that make sense? I hope it happens for either side but that doesn't make much sense.

Because it is cheaper to hire than to displace. I would think that with you and Nu's VAST knowledge, that such information would be obvious. As things look now, we will have to hire, a lot. NWA will be short when brought to staffing, and there will be the need for an enormous training bubble for the next several years after SOC to get the placement correct.

That being said, the environment with fuel, demand, fleet, and numerous factors changes sometimes by the minute. In such a dynamic environment, the conservative approach is the best plan. That includes keeping staffing at minimum legal levels--including duty rigs as long as possible on the NWA side.

Your bitching, moaning, breath holding are no longer going to be heeded. They have run their course as effective tools in the arsenal. The immediate future is about survival. Nasty stuff is in tore for 09-mid 10. This calls for calm, rational decision making on the part of the MEC as to picking and choosing battles to be fought. It's about keeping pilots employed at Delta as opposed to growth. It's about keeping the ship afloat.

 

[Fly4hire]

Invigorating a whole fleet for approximately 1 year does not justify cost with regard to duty rigs. Go bark up another tree.

Now go run around to all of the other boards you frequent and pass it on.

You mean the tree of it's in the contract and the DAL MEC apparently has no desire to enforce areas of the contract that apply to the pre-merger NWA pilots? BP5 if upheld will still be within a year. Planning on helping management past that?

More "Stars upon Thars" from DALPA. Who got rich before the Sneetches figured it out?

 

[PuffDriver]

BP5 if upheld will still be within a year.

Exactly. Nuff said. Quit yer bitch'en. This is going to come as a shock to you, but everything does NOT revolve around FNWA pilots.

 

[clippyrip]

--right out of the COOs mouth to me--personally.

Run to the bank and cash it, it's gold.

They are going to displace.

OK...

Because it is cheaper to hire than to displace.

That contradicts what you said one post ago.