Waveflyer if this passes and delta remains profitable can't DALPA try to tighten scope even more during the next negotiations? Simply waiting for 200s to retire will take much loner than capping it now and then reducing the cap in the next negotiotition. I'm trying to understand your reason to vote no. I work at Skywest and capping the RJ seems like a better option to hold jobs at a mainline. Is Delta able to replace 200s with a 50 seat variant if they choose to?
Good question, and I believe that's the plan. My only beef is about new -900's going to DCI. Please understand- I'm not asking DALPA to strike to get all -900's at mainline. I do think it's reasonable to get all NEW -900's (70 aircraft! ) back at mainline.
-900's were only allowed under bankruptcy.
Signing off on even more 70's and 90's going to dci during profitable times legitimizes that move.
Look to the past. RJs were capped before. Tight limits and ratios were normal at every network airline. They all went away in bad times. Do you guys see encouraging signs of a lasting bull market? I don't.
What has been the most impact full is the size of aircraft in scope. Once an aircraft is outsourced, it is very hard to get it back on the property. But now is a chance to get OUR camel's nose in THEIR tent. Once new -900's are established as a mainline aircraft, how much easier will it be to get the outsourced -900's into the fold. Then, maybe the -700's- same type.
And that is the battle being waged across the industry.
This TA wins battles that mgmt is essentially given up on. -200's. 50 seaters. Name a fuel efficient 50 seat variant? Is there one on the horizon that can compete at $4 gas?
Name one that is efficient at doing mainline routes. Two leg hops across the continent at 41,000'. That's an "RJ"?? If that's an RJ, so are 320's, 737's and 717's.
50 seat jets are such big money losers, they just can't be sustained regardless of contracts.
Big "RJs" are where the battles are. This allows mgmt to keep on with their blatant plan to outsource ALL domestic flights, to outsource as much of deltas flying as possible.
In 10 years, when everyone is used to the new normal of -900's, management will ask for 100 seats in the next big recession- and USE THE EXACT SAME ARGUMENTS USED TODAY.
This TA reduces 50's by 150 airframes and claims victory, then gives away 70 -900's - it's damn near a wash as far as seats go, and does nothing to "take the flying back"
The goal should be to get all Jets back on the property- this doesn't accomplish anything toward that goal- it gives mgmt exactly what it wants and pays off pilots just enough to get them to go along.
