Bucking Bar

Nu,

ACL wasn't real clear in his post. Let me explain the back story. Management is mired in fee for departure agreements on 50 seaters that they want out of. Legally, management is stuck unless they can induce the F4D providers to modify their agreements. One tactic that has been successful with SkyWest and Mesa (who both had sued Delta for breach of contract) was to let them swap 2 50 seat RJ's for 1 longer term deal on a large RJ.

ACL's thinking (& I agree) is that management may be looking for a way to gain flexibility in managing the F4D mess they got themselves in by getting more next gen RJ's.

However, weighing against this strategy is that economically the Company hasn't been using the full measure of the scope waivers they already have and extending these contracts is a little like feeding the alligator.

The rest of ACL's thinking is that ALPA might agree to another scope waiver while claiming it as a win, since it would decrease the total number of allowed DCI aircraft.

I don't think he posted it as a rumor. I think it was just his trial balloon and he'll be pleased to read that no one on the board thinks much of the idea.

On to more important topics. Someone call FOX News and tell them Joe Biden is in the Delta TOC for a whole week What do they call that airplane when Hillary Clinton's on board?

Denny Crane

Well, it looks like one of the current players has exited the stadium.

US Airways: Merger talks are off with United - Flights: Airfare, flight tracker, delays, miles tracker & airport news - Today in the Sky - USATODAY.com

Denny

dragon

FTB, you kill me!! Awesome stuff.

acl65pilot

Reroute, as you are very aware of they need a carrot to amend some of these DCI FFD (cost Plus) contracts in the near term.

FWIW, I agree with everything you are stating. I see DCI shrinking by at least 1/3 if not more in the next three to five years. It was a hypothetical question. One that I beleive we will be asked. Just wanted the gallery's thoughts on something of this nature. No more no less.

I honestly get the impression that the company knows the 100 seat jets is a non starter. As I stated above they need something to offer to amend some of these longer term contracts. Yes, there ares some resets in these deal that start as early as Oct of this year, but they want to change the structure of these agreements from Cost + to risk sharing. It will keep more of the money from the ticket sales in house. It has long been one of my biggest beefs with the structure of these deals.

The FFD airlines are smart, and they will want protections. Granted in the next 10 years the number of DCI jets under these types of contracts goes to roughly 16 airframes and that would be at ASA.

I like that the route structure we are building lends itself to larger airframes and less frequency. It is a rational structure that allows for more bodies to fly with the same capacity constraints.

The reason I brought this up is simple. I do not see growth (substantial) in the mainline market over the next 24-36 months. This is a critical time for DAL to get their entire house in order. We have that time because of the consolidation that will be occurring. Part of the is these deals with the DCI third party operators. We all know the DCI 50 seat footprint is shrinking, but by what degree is unknown. It lead me to the though that if we could get a hard capped number going forward on all flying, would we bite and what would the rank and file think. That lead me to the post. Pick a cap, Pick a number of 76 seat jets. That is why I left it blank.

In my mind I just see the question being asked and D-ALPA needing to answer. No, works until the hang a GTF on a 50 seat jet. I would like to see hard limits on the gander or each certified seat class.

acl65pilot

Isn't there a switch on the nose gear of your jet?

acl65pilot

Bar, and Nu for that fact, correct. I never said anything about this surfacing, all I was stating is that they are looking for wiggle room and this is a path of least resistance.

I do not want to see another jet allowed on DCI's property. That said, the current generation of 50 seat jet is a goner. No qualms about that. Nothing in development to replace it either, yet.

As Bar points out it was not a rumor, but more of a; What do the posters on here think about X if it were to come out. I knew the answer, and know my answer, but I wanted to get people thinking not just about a 100 seat jet, but also a deal at the current level.

It is the main reason why the 76 seat flying needs to still be the battleground. If it is not then we all know what comes next.

satchip

I saw a red tail (75 I assume) in the hanger at SAT. There has been a steady stream of Delta 75s there.

acl65pilot

And the tail number is? 55XX.........

satchip

I only see them as I'm driving by on the way to work. I can't see the tail numbers from the highway.

Ferd149

Don't worry boyz...........you'll still be able to tell the o'NWA 757s even with a new paint job.

They will be the ones with carpet on the cockpit floor and a cargo net on the FOs side for 2 more rollaboard bags.