Originally Posted by sailingfun

changed was the average pilot went from 600 block hours a year to 800. Thats a staggering 25% improvement in productivity.

Originally Posted by TANSTAAFL

Raising ALV's permanently absolutely results in less jobs. Filling of open time after staffing is calculated does not affect staffing. Whether the open time is filled via GS or 1.5X over XX only affects the GS opportunities. ALV's and how open time is filled for premium flying is apples and oranges.

Originally Posted by sailingfun

If the company can shave 3 percent off the block times it equates to about a 2 percent decrease in manning. They are not the same because you have to factor in reserves, vacation and other forms of credit and pay. Anything that reduces block time reduces pilot jobs. In the end the number of pilots Delta needs is based on block time plus credit divided by the number of pilots and the hours the contract permits them to fly.
The RJ mantra about job loss certainly has some truth but the reality is that the massive job loss from 2001 to 2007 at Delta was mostly work rule generated. In fact we had the same number of pilot block hours in June of 01 as we had in June of 07. Yes the fleet was smaller but we had shifted a large number of aircraft to international where they flew more hours per day and often were relief or even double crewed. What changed was the average pilot went from 600 block hours a year to 800. Thats a staggering 25% improvement in productivity.
The sad reality however it that with the productivity SW generated per pilot and their rise to the largest US domestic airline it was probably not possible for Delta to ever compete with the work rules we had in place at one time. Bow Wave and Spill back were both tremendous quality of life items and bow wave in particular protected a huge number of jobs. One of the best quotes I once heard was your have a union for two reasons. To protect you from the company and to protect you from your fellow pilots. With the elimination of bow wave and cash paid each month for each hour flown utilization has soared. I know the ALPA haters will jump on this post and say DALPA failed us by allowing what we have today but again the reality is that as a airline Delta was not going to survive with the productivity level we once had. SWA drove a stake right though the heart of the good old days of pilot lifestyles.

Originally Posted by johnso29

Does anyone else find it ironic that individuals gripe about no hiring, and then in the same post gripe about not being able to fly more for overtime? A rep recently told me pilots were up in arms after the AE was announced because we aren't hiring. Yet we have many pilots who have no problem crediting 90-100 hours per month. We truly are our own worst enemy.

Bring on the bow wave. I'd love to have that.

Originally Posted by Maddog Waddle

Most junior captain hire date?? Any takers wanna bet??

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

Is the award out yet?

Originally Posted by Maddog Waddle

Most junior captain hire date?? Any takers wanna bet??