Originally Posted by iaflyer;

[B

"CEO Richard Anderson said in a message to employees that Delta pilots will fly the new planes, not feeder carriers. Delta has shifted flying away from feeder carriers, and has gotten rid of more than 70 of its 50-seat regional jets and 25 Saab 340 turboprops. A jet order will give Delta the size of planes it needs "to be able to replace retiring airplanes and have modest growth when the economy and fuel prices support it," Anderson said"[/B]

Does not matter one bit what he "says." It might be true - it might be false, he may actually mean it 100%, but the environment may change causing him to change what the company actually "does."

When DAL Pilots have their butts in metal on property I will believe it.

If we negotiate based on rumors/promises/talk/or even firm aircraft orders we are fools who get what we deserve. As someone had posted earlier the company can order 300 aircraft and then sell the orders to other airlines.

Nothing wrong with working with management cooperatively on aircraft orders but lets keep our negotiations as a separate issue.


Scoop

Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy

We need to diversify our hubs and our union I think should be pushing for this.

Originally Posted by Adolphus Coors

I agree....What about TPA MIA or MCO? At least IROPS there only last an hour!

Originally Posted by slowplay

So if the management of your company tells you that they're going to order new aircraft, don't believe them. It's just a trick...

If the management of your company doesn't tell you that they're going to order new airplanes, don't believe them. They're just mismanaging the place, or trying to manage your contract expectations, as the order will be placed afterwards....

Got it.

I posted before...we've got 34 DC-9's that are really old. In 2016 we'll have over 60 757's that are 25-30 years old. There'll be a bunch of MD-88's that can't fly NextGen and the early A320's that are over 25 years old. There'll be a bunch of 767's and ER's that are over 25 years old. The FAA just put out an AD on older 757's for fuselage stress. My bet is there'll be more rather than less of those technical issues as the airplanes get older.

In spite of what Scambo says, maybe we ought to encourage management to do a prudent fleet renewal. Maybe that's what they're telling you they're doing.

Wait, it's all about expectation management and the contract. Sorry, I forgot!

Originally Posted by flyallnite

Unfortunately, there is no aircraft produced in the world today that even comes close to the 757 in terms of payload, range and +performance+ Most routes flown today by that aircraft barely scratch the surface of it's capabilities. The 757 was designed as a 727 replacement, but they ended up with an amazing machine that has no equal. It will be interesting to see how this void is filled, if it ever is.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

Absolutely true. It's almost funny that the 757 is mentioned as a 727 replacement, the thing is truly in a class of its own. It's like replacing a 6'1" 215 lb QB that could throw okay with a 6'6" 250 lb QB that can run and juke and yet throw accurately down field.

But I don't think anyone will try to make a direct replacement because the 757 was knocked out by lesser airplanes such as the 738, 739 and I guess maybe even the A321. I mean to make something that equals the 757 might be a waste of effort if the smaller jets continue to hurt it. Think of all of the "757 routes" done or shared with 737s, MD88s and 90s and 320s now. And the high altitude stuff is taken up by 737-700s and A319s.

Not saying the 757 is going away by any means, just saying since economics guides the decisions and given "shrinking" airplanes rarely works well (as in 787 to 757 size) I think there won't be a replacement as the 757s exit a long time from now. Unless the A321 or 738 replacement are given massive engines.

Originally Posted by shiznit

Agreed. All I can say is "FUPM". Aircraft decisions will not affect my contract expectations. I'll fly around old 757, MD-88 and DC-9's or brand spanking new 7X7's, AXXX, or C'whatevers. I don't care what they order, not my problem.

I sell pilot services to Delta Air Lines, I will fly whatever plane they ask, all I ask is that Delta Air Lines compensates me in correlation with my skill, ability, and responsibilities.

Originally Posted by satchip

Did you guys hear about the JB FO that lost his FFDO weapon?

Originally Posted by sailingfun

In 2004 Delta pilot costs were about 2.3 billion a year on 15 to 16 billion in total expenses. The math is pretty easy. Post merger today with the latest pay increases I understand we are around 2.5 billion (larger group, much lower pay) today with the airlines total expenses in the 27 billion range.
We deserve much higher pay and benefits. To try and state that pilot costs are a minimal expense to operate the airlines is however not the case.