Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?
01-14-2013, 08:50 AM
The Brown Dot +1
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Position: 777B
Posts: 7,775
Delta bought Pinnacle, did a deal with their pilots and purchased half of Virigin Atlantic without so much as a "how do you do ?" I'd say "constructive engagement" ended as soon as Delta Air Lines had our yes vote.
The will re-engage as they see fit.
Since Delta can now negotiate with other pilot groups, engagement with us is not nearly as important as it used to be.
Welcome to the portfolio guys.
The will re-engage as they see fit.
Since Delta can now negotiate with other pilot groups, engagement with us is not nearly as important as it used to be.
Welcome to the portfolio guys.
Too much talk like that and you are going to get personally attacked by the chief architect and chief salesman.
They might even try to "out" you.
01-14-2013, 08:51 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2010
Position: window seat
Posts: 12,538
01-14-2013, 09:02 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2009
Posts: 917
Just asked the transpo guys here at the hotel and their fee is $60ish each way (cab even more). Problems for me is public cant go until Saturday! Oh well, on to plan B.
01-14-2013, 09:02 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: blueJet
Posts: 4,525
Allow me to contrast what is happening with what the Comair pilots fought for (and lost).
Comair:
Comair:
- Three way scope negotiations with Comair's MEC, Delta's MEC and Delta management
- Joint agreement on scope which bound Delta Air Lines
- Increasing pay rates by reducing outsourcing
- Exclusive negotiations between Pinnacle ALPA and Delta management
- Unilateral negotiation on scope which commits Delta Air Lines
- Decreasing pay rates which bring pressure on others in the lower tiers of our profession
Comair:
- JC Lawson
- RJDC
- No JC Lawson
- No RJDC
01-14-2013, 09:06 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Position: MD88
Posts: 452
There is a big difference between being a quite junior captain on the 88, with zero movement the past five years, versus being (supposedly) a lot more senior on the 717, with a rapidly increasing category size over the next couple of years.
Many of us don't have an obsession with wearing five black stripes on our shoulders, especially if by doing so we are junior and staying junior for years on end.
However, the upgrade to captain (complete with higher pay) is a lot more appealing if you are either not junior to begin with (which is what a lot of senior 7ER F/Os are anticipating) or will remain junior for a fairly brief time as your category gets larger and larger about the same time as retirements finally kick in when that process is done, thereby keeping the upward movement continuing.
Many of us don't have an obsession with wearing five black stripes on our shoulders, especially if by doing so we are junior and staying junior for years on end.
However, the upgrade to captain (complete with higher pay) is a lot more appealing if you are either not junior to begin with (which is what a lot of senior 7ER F/Os are anticipating) or will remain junior for a fairly brief time as your category gets larger and larger about the same time as retirements finally kick in when that process is done, thereby keeping the upward movement continuing.
01-14-2013, 09:07 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Position: MD88
Posts: 452
01-14-2013, 09:12 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Position: right for a long, long time
Posts: 2,642
Let's talk profit sharing. It looks like projected earnings are around $1.6 billion for 2012. Doesn't that mean a pilot group cut of 20% PTIX? If so, I remember the lower cut resulted in a check worth about 6% of our personal annual earnings.
If we get the 20% cut for 2012, what % does that mean for our personal checks? Is it our total gross income, or just our taxable income?
Thanks. Happy profit sharing.
If we get the 20% cut for 2012, what % does that mean for our personal checks? Is it our total gross income, or just our taxable income?
Thanks. Happy profit sharing.
01-14-2013, 09:19 AM
Can't abide NAI
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Douglas Aerospace post production Flight Test & Work Around Engineering bulletin dissembler
Posts: 12,014
Source, Motley Fool
After declaring bankruptcy due to a sluggish economy and rising debt levels, Pinnacle Airlines appears to be the next course in Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) acquisition feast. In an industry with a major consolidation trend, Delta has made its mark acquiring Northwest Airlines in 2008 and a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic in 2012. But Pinnacle is different from the major carriers Delta has been involving itself in. Pinnacle is a regional airline and it sets up a new line of business for Delta.
Return of Comair?
Long time followers of Delta may be familiar with the airline's previous efforts in the regional business. In the late 1980's Delta took control of Delta operating airline Comair for approximately $2 billion. The airline was headquartered at Delta's Cincinnati hub and operated a fleet of Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) CRJs, similar to the makeup of the Pinnacle fleet.
However, by mid 2012 Delta shuttered its regional subsidiary and Comair ceased to exist. Many of Delta's regional flights began to be operated by bankrupt Pinnacle, whom Delta was providing financing for, and by SkyWest (NASDAQ: SKYW), a far healthier regional carrier. But action by Pinnacle forced Delta's hand and would lead to Delta once again operating a regional airline.
No Monopoly for SkyWest
While major airlines have been merging to cut costs and reduce competition, they are still very much in favor of competition among those that they purchase services from. When it comes to regional flights, major airlines often outsource these shorter flights to regional carriers and pay them a fee for service.
While there are numerous smaller regional airlines, SkyWest is taking a position as a major player among regionals. Operating regional flights across the U.S., SkyWest flies not only for Delta, but also for United Continental, US Airways (NYSE: LCC), and more recently for bankrupt American Airlines. With SkyWest edging its way into American's operations and the airline already flying for US Airways, SkyWest looks like it could have a major role to play in a merged US Airways American Airlines combination.
But airlines like competition, just not when it is amongst themselves. To prevent SkyWest from becoming the sole operator on more routes, Delta decided saving Pinnacle from possible liquidation would be a strategically smart move. Now with Delta highly likely to acquire Pinnacle, it remains to be seen exactly what the carrier's plans are for its soon to be regional subsidiary.
Delta Keeps Flying
Unlike previous airline mergers which involved equity purchases or integration with another major airline, Delta's expected acquisition of Pinnacle Airlines involves taking on a regional partner. Delta has had close relations with Pinnacle operating flights with the airline, financing it in bankruptcy, and financing its ill-fated acquisition of Mesba Aviation just a few years ago.
With Pinnacle in its hands, Delta will need to decide what to do with the carrier. It has not yet been decided what to do with Pinnacle's Memphis headquarters. Some suggest they may be moved to Minneapolis but this remains uncertain and would largely center around costs. But if Delta can successfully manage Pinnacle it may become yet another jewel on Delta's growing crown.
After declaring bankruptcy due to a sluggish economy and rising debt levels, Pinnacle Airlines appears to be the next course in Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) acquisition feast. In an industry with a major consolidation trend, Delta has made its mark acquiring Northwest Airlines in 2008 and a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic in 2012. But Pinnacle is different from the major carriers Delta has been involving itself in. Pinnacle is a regional airline and it sets up a new line of business for Delta.
Return of Comair?
Long time followers of Delta may be familiar with the airline's previous efforts in the regional business. In the late 1980's Delta took control of Delta operating airline Comair for approximately $2 billion. The airline was headquartered at Delta's Cincinnati hub and operated a fleet of Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) CRJs, similar to the makeup of the Pinnacle fleet.
However, by mid 2012 Delta shuttered its regional subsidiary and Comair ceased to exist. Many of Delta's regional flights began to be operated by bankrupt Pinnacle, whom Delta was providing financing for, and by SkyWest (NASDAQ: SKYW), a far healthier regional carrier. But action by Pinnacle forced Delta's hand and would lead to Delta once again operating a regional airline.
No Monopoly for SkyWest
While major airlines have been merging to cut costs and reduce competition, they are still very much in favor of competition among those that they purchase services from. When it comes to regional flights, major airlines often outsource these shorter flights to regional carriers and pay them a fee for service.
While there are numerous smaller regional airlines, SkyWest is taking a position as a major player among regionals. Operating regional flights across the U.S., SkyWest flies not only for Delta, but also for United Continental, US Airways (NYSE: LCC), and more recently for bankrupt American Airlines. With SkyWest edging its way into American's operations and the airline already flying for US Airways, SkyWest looks like it could have a major role to play in a merged US Airways American Airlines combination.
But airlines like competition, just not when it is amongst themselves. To prevent SkyWest from becoming the sole operator on more routes, Delta decided saving Pinnacle from possible liquidation would be a strategically smart move. Now with Delta highly likely to acquire Pinnacle, it remains to be seen exactly what the carrier's plans are for its soon to be regional subsidiary.
Delta Keeps Flying
Unlike previous airline mergers which involved equity purchases or integration with another major airline, Delta's expected acquisition of Pinnacle Airlines involves taking on a regional partner. Delta has had close relations with Pinnacle operating flights with the airline, financing it in bankruptcy, and financing its ill-fated acquisition of Mesba Aviation just a few years ago.
With Pinnacle in its hands, Delta will need to decide what to do with the carrier. It has not yet been decided what to do with Pinnacle's Memphis headquarters. Some suggest they may be moved to Minneapolis but this remains uncertain and would largely center around costs. But if Delta can successfully manage Pinnacle it may become yet another jewel on Delta's growing crown.
01-14-2013, 09:32 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 581
In other news ... 2014 Corvette Stingray is "appealing." Anyone doing the NAIAS ? Delta is the "Premier Sponsor" but best I can tell that does not mean any non public access to Delta employees. (at my previous employer if we sponsored it, we generally acted liked we owned the place and could get in on non public days )
Gorgeous car, but my heart belongs to the original Sting Rays (1963-67). I lusted after one since high school and finally bought one a few years ago: 1966 427/425 HP roadster. Had the engine rebuilt with some spendy parts and machine work. Dyno'd at 560 HP @ 6,000 RPM.
The sound of a solid-lifter, big block Chevy under the hood (with factory sidepipes) is music to my ears. The car is definitely crude by today's standards but that's okay.
01-14-2013, 09:41 AM
Sho me da money!
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: B25, Left
Posts: 947
Guess it's good I don't bet on teams........only one of the four I thought would make it, did!
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