forgot to bid

I don't think we get to have both. But we already knew we were going to lose 300 pilots in one way via the contract and were left hoping more jets (short term more jets not long term) and other gains somewhere in the "pwa cloud" would even it all out.

I hope we get to have both, but I don't think we will because it's not looking like it right now.

First, between August and now you can see the 88 inching down in crews per jet and more are coming but they don't want to expand the category. For some reason even the 737 shrunk from August to this year even with more jets coming.

We do have slightly more pilots in the category lists than we did in August but less than this time last year. I guess that's just a function of MIL leave and like returning pilots. But once we get all of the 90s (excluding 717s) we'll have fewer pilots per jet than we did in August. I guess that's productivity. Which is why I kind of question 14 pilots per 717, we don't run that on the 88 and don't intend to. So I see 14 pilots initially for coverage as new jets arrive but I couldn't see that being a long term thing when compared to the other fleets. That's just me though.

Second, going back to that 2Q investor call:

Now I know they are not talking about pilots here but you cannot deny they're saying they are reducing capacity and if they're going to reduce capacity they want to reduce headcount and limit the backfill. Why should we be exempt from that equation?

To me this is why I think we're going to shrink the pilot group:

• A reduction in capacity necessitates a reduction in headcount elsewhere and that's called improving productivity. Same language EB used in the same earnings call.
• March crew planning newsletter talked extensively about displacing ATL 767, DTW DC9 and ATL DC9. That totals 414 pilots.
• We are opening DTW 73N for about 40 pilots and ATL 717 for 200 pilots, so 240 pilots total. Leaving the 174 surplus that we need to hope are taken up by the ER and at least the 73N.
• They also mentioned reducing A320 Bs but are happy with the A320 A numbers. It's only a 16 pilot difference.
• More 90s are coming but they plan to shrink the 88 category.

I think I understand the show. Really smart people live in the apartment on the right and she lives in the one on the left. I have more questions to follow.

If that's okay?

Wasatch Phantom

Gloopy, I agree with you...

Moonshot's premise that "we all benefit" is simply not true. I realize there are more First Officers than Captains, but let's say 40% of the Delta pilot group are Captains. I don't believe they benefit one iota from this contractual loophole.

Several years ago I jumpseated on a 76 from ATL-SLC. The First Officer was boasting that the previous year his W-2 earnings were $260K and he had only worked X number of days all year. He explained that he would bid to fly with LCA and hope that his trips would drop due to IOE's. At that point he'd Greenslip, and because he was senior he'd get them - in spades.

That didn't seem "right" to me then and it still doesn't. I'd much rather spread the wealth around.

Ferd149

Geeze,

Cant we find a middle ground. I agree, stop what ever abuse the 1% may get away with. BUT, it was a pain in the ass to get a great commutable trip only to lose it to OE. THEN have the company start shoveling crap onto your line a couple days out.

Can we please not throw the baby out with the bath water!

Complete disclosure - I've never bid a LCA. Yes I'm always glad to fly with them because they are known good $hits and I actually learn a thing or two.....or I get the trip off - now

Ferd149

..................................

SailorJerry

While I agree that seniority comes with a certain amount of entitlement, the "entitlement at the cost of others" mentality is what bothers me, especially when someone spent only a brief time being junior (i.e. in periods of rapid hiring). What will be interesting is to see how the pilots hired in the last 6 years mature. I've found that the greater the stagnation, the better show of unity and desire for the greater good. Sure - your mileage may vary, but from my experience the pilots with the most worldly view are the ones who have experienced all facets of the world.

I'm curious Wasatch - how long were you on Reserve?

Timbo

Perhaps all they would have to do is change the wording, so that if you are displaced for an OE it would be treated like vacation days; so you cannot pick up anything, WS or GS, during the time you would have been on your original trip. That would spread the GS wealth around, no doubt.

I agree that if you are displaced for an OE, you should NOT then be saddled with some POS non-commutable 'recovery' trip, but since you are already being paid to stay home, why should you also be able to pick up a GS on those days? Sounds like tripple pay.

And while we're fixing stuff, how about if the LCA's had to buy all their trips from Captains, instead of bidding a line? Then both the original Capt. and the F/O stay home and get paid!

It's Win Win!

Ferd149

Well put.............

ilinipilot

Arent greenslips assigned in seniorty order and after your first you are put at the back of the line? So the 767 guy was not taking someone elses GS he was just lucky because he had the time off that matched with the GS request. Is this correct or am I wrong thanks.

georgetg

ALFA, please check in and say you're all-right, and while you're at it, perhaps this link is up your alley:

There's a lady selling her deceased husbands Alfa Romeo goods online:
Cheers
George

P.S. I'm nearly certain Alfa doesn't live in California..

SailorJerry

That's correct.