DeadHead

+1

I'm with you Scambo, I think if anything it shows a lack of action or enforcement on our behalf which doesn't bode well for any of us. When the next contract comes around the scope restrictions that we hopefully put in place will be fruitless and meaningless without any type of concrete enforcement from the pilot groups behalf.

DeadHead

I usually don't have problems with the backpack thing.....


I have, however, had issues with my Lunchbox.

Elvis90

Oil's at $93/barrel.

Oil falls to below $93 amid stronger US dollar - Business - Oil & energy - msnbc.com

DeadHead

I'm sure the airside kits are a prelude to electronic kits one day, however I think someone mentioned it here before how even the smallest change on a web page can take over a year to process through a technology department. I mean even transitioning to online based recurrent training, eliminating the CDs, is taking a good amount of time, so I just don't think they have the full available resources to focus on it.


As much as it would probably save in the long run, I think you would be looking at a relatively high upfront price. The company is probably trying to figure out the best time to show such a loss due to this expense.

I've heard that Jeppesen isn't exactly passing on a huge amount of the savings onto the airlines even though production and shipping costs would go down. Makes sense to hold out for this until Jeppsen starts offering a better deal.

Personally, being an Ipad owner, I think the devices are great and I have started to see there application in other parts of our company, but I think there may be better options out there. The devices are great, but beyond there usability, there is a public stigma out there that goes along with pilots using Ipads, especially after the laptop incident. This isn't exactly a driving factor, nor should it be, but it would be foolhardy not to think that the potential for distraction would occur somewhere in the system.
(Dependant on how they are reprogrammed of course)



I would love to see something like this soon, but just looking at the size of our company, I think we are a good amount of time away from this. I'm typically wrong though so, who knows.

acl65pilot

I am too lazy to look my prediction up, but a few months back I figured it would be in the upper 70's to low 80's by late fall. I suspect the Fed will raise interest rates by a quarter to a half point which will further solidify oil's price reduction.

Yes, the US Government does not want to raise rates,(they will pay more on their debt) but almost everyone agrees that inflation is there, and the rates need to be adjusted accordingly.

acl65pilot

They could be, but a mounting device and packup power source would need to be created in the flight deck.

Also, RA wants something that signs you in for a rotation the second you hit airport property, allows automatic pub updates at that time, as well as a real time interface that scheduling can auto notify you on your i-pad of a reroute, sked change etc. They would also like some sort of mtc reporting functionality.

I can see all of this coming either in a tablet form or something more specifically designed for aviation.

Elvis90

Airbus Orders Pressure Boeing

Airbus Orders Pressure Boeing - WSJ.com

Delta needs to get it's orders into the que or we'll be waiting for some time.

How about Bombardier's C-Series? Debuts in 2013.

Heard: Bombardier Looks Like Flying Ace

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...555035984.html

scambo1

I'll toss this out as a proposal. Interim Ipad gap filler could be that the company either "recommends" or "mandates" Ipads for pilots. This has the effect of making the Ipad an unreimbursed employee expense which is something that can be written off in the year it was put in use much like jeffeson binders or steel toed shoes.

Input?

Wingnutdal

No kidding, I had that exact lunchbox! Oh, the memories!

DeadHead

I think if the company ever decides to go with the Ipad, the preference from there end will be to purchase them in bulk in a predetermined customized configuration. Allowing pilots to purchase Ipads on their own limits the company's ability to maintain control on how these devices are used.

Just a guess.