Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?
03-12-2010, 07:03 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Position: 320B
Posts: 781
I know that we have moved on, but I wanted to add a few remarks about the longevity issue mentioned on here yesterday. For the record, I am not among the 170 or so who claim to be affected by this.
First, it is not just an issue for those 170 as they claim. Every pre-merger NWA pilot is working from an effective longevity date that is not the same as their hire date. Even those who had longevity adjusted for furlough time still have the gap between their hire date and the date when the first person in their class finished OE. That is just the way it was when we got hired and that difference still remains. I have a hire date in February, and a longevity date in May.
Personally, I don't find it to be a big deal. Yes, it does mean that we all spent about 15 months on year 1. However, it does not really cost you three months every year as some would like to state. You are still going to spend 12 months on each step from 2 to 12.
Comparing yourself to the guy right next to you on the seniority list from the other pre-merger company is just an exercise in futility. Date of hire would only be a valid comparison if that was how the list was merged. It was not.
I am all for moving past the subtle differences that will always be a part of this, and focusing on the big picture as a unified pilot group.
First, it is not just an issue for those 170 as they claim. Every pre-merger NWA pilot is working from an effective longevity date that is not the same as their hire date. Even those who had longevity adjusted for furlough time still have the gap between their hire date and the date when the first person in their class finished OE. That is just the way it was when we got hired and that difference still remains. I have a hire date in February, and a longevity date in May.
Personally, I don't find it to be a big deal. Yes, it does mean that we all spent about 15 months on year 1. However, it does not really cost you three months every year as some would like to state. You are still going to spend 12 months on each step from 2 to 12.
Comparing yourself to the guy right next to you on the seniority list from the other pre-merger company is just an exercise in futility. Date of hire would only be a valid comparison if that was how the list was merged. It was not.
I am all for moving past the subtle differences that will always be a part of this, and focusing on the big picture as a unified pilot group.
03-12-2010, 07:04 AM
ATL A320 B
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Position: No longer MEM or 9, but still a guy.
Posts: 238
I know that this was days ago, but wanted to add a quick FYI...
The ACARS gate info that we had was live data. It reflected any gate changes, cnx, or delays at the time of your request. It was like having access to the "flat screens above the gates" from the acars.
Very good info for commuters, px concerned about conx, or even for looking ahead to your next flight to plan a food strategy for grabbing a quick bite on your next bag drag.
03-12-2010, 07:05 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: Kickin’ Back
Posts: 6,971
Sorry for the rant. But during a briefing the other day, the A line (cat rancher) proceeded to tell that Capt and I that she would call us and let us know when it was ok for us to come out and use the bathroom. I almost gave Miss Daisy a hay maker for telling me I needed to ask for her permission to go make water!
But the Captain did not miss the opportunity to remind her that she is not in command of the aircraft. Needless to say 5.5 hours not a word....
But the Captain did not miss the opportunity to remind her that she is not in command of the aircraft. Needless to say 5.5 hours not a word....
Good for him!! It's been a long time since I have had to do something like this. But every now and then you have to let them know who is in charge. I do have to say the vast majority of FA's that I fly with say "call us any time you need to come out or want anything." It's kind of funny but different FA bases tend to, in general, have vastly different approaches in how they treat the pilots.
That being said, if you have to point this out to them, it's best to request unopened cans, bottles of water etc. I've heard of some pretty sleazy things that have been done in the past. Years ago I flew with a guy who once had an FA put visine in his coffee. For those that don't know, this will make you feel pretty bad to say the least. It took awhile but she ended up getting fired.
Denny
03-12-2010, 07:13 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: erb
Posts: 646
good post
Lets see I could be a professional if I answered and AD in the paper too. One year contracts based on how well they serve the customer is key. Tired of hearing them and seeing them treat people like the enemy. Maybe just assign trips instead of allowing F/A's to bid (ala BA). Would create a lot of incentive for the cat ranchers and turtle necks to move on. Perhaps maybe make them actually use emergency equipment and actually get into the raft to qualify for that certificate thingy. (pilots too) F/A's are key to service and we are losing it fast to our competitors. Jetblue had it right about he f/a's......Contracts
Sorry for the rant. But during a briefing the other day, the A line (cat rancher) proceeded to tell that Capt and I that she would call us and let us know when it was ok for us to come out and use the bathroom. I almost gave Miss Daisy a hay maker for telling me I needed to ask for her permission to go make water!
But the Captain did not miss the opportunity to remind her that she is not in command of the aircraft. Needless to say 5.5 hours not a word....
Sorry for the rant. But during a briefing the other day, the A line (cat rancher) proceeded to tell that Capt and I that she would call us and let us know when it was ok for us to come out and use the bathroom. I almost gave Miss Daisy a hay maker for telling me I needed to ask for her permission to go make water!
But the Captain did not miss the opportunity to remind her that she is not in command of the aircraft. Needless to say 5.5 hours not a word....
03-12-2010, 07:18 AM
Happy to be here
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: A-320A
Posts: 18,563
Also they should have to jump in the pool and get in to a raft once a year.
I have been told my many FA's that their training is becoming harder, and they are in fact making them come back if they do not do it correctly the first time.
I have been told my many FA's that their training is becoming harder, and they are in fact making them come back if they do not do it correctly the first time.
03-12-2010, 07:37 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Dismayed
Posts: 1,598
Was told by many FAs that they are not getting service training. I know we say they're primarily for safety but it isn't that hard to learn the niceties as well!
03-12-2010, 07:50 AM
Happy to be here
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: A-320A
Posts: 18,563
Yep, I have heard that too. They are just doing the safety stuff. Heck even we get the "Think before you speak" talk a few times a year.
DAL and the FA's need to understand that they are the front line when dealing with the passengers. More so than any other group besides the gate agents which need to receive service training too.
DAL and the FA's need to understand that they are the front line when dealing with the passengers. More so than any other group besides the gate agents which need to receive service training too.
03-12-2010, 08:37 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
As I whole I don't think our FA group is that bad. For the legacies, it might be one of the better groups. I've seens some pretty surly on other legacy carriers. The problem is we are competing with Southwest and Jetblue, who seem to focus more on customer service with their FA's.
However, I've flown with a lot of very good FA's at DAL. I think the bad apples just leave more of an impression on you... but also the passengers. It takes one bad FA to ruin the DAL image for a passenger. I think some FA's are so used to dealing with people they have resorted to the cattle type attitude.
However, I've flown with a lot of very good FA's at DAL. I think the bad apples just leave more of an impression on you... but also the passengers. It takes one bad FA to ruin the DAL image for a passenger. I think some FA's are so used to dealing with people they have resorted to the cattle type attitude.
03-12-2010, 08:45 AM
Happy to be here
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: A-320A
Posts: 18,563
Agreed.
We have some great ones. When you do the day turns or Europe you see the senior senior ones.
Always interesting to see what you are going to get.
We have some great ones. When you do the day turns or Europe you see the senior senior ones.
Always interesting to see what you are going to get.
03-12-2010, 08:53 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Dismayed
Posts: 1,598
Yep, I have heard that too. They are just doing the safety stuff. Heck even we get the "Think before you speak" talk a few times a year.
DAL and the FA's need to understand that they are the front line when dealing with the passengers. More so than any other group besides the gate agents which need to receive service training too.
DAL and the FA's need to understand that they are the front line when dealing with the passengers. More so than any other group besides the gate agents which need to receive service training too.
Nice to hear we're not the only one noticing the ATL agents need to put down the texting and the attitudes and remember this is the year of the customer.
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