chuck416

I DO like who he appointed. It's the way he goes about nearly everything he does that ticks me off. To think that this "appointment" is a "win", is extremely short-sighted. .....

dragon

Agree!!!!! (had to get 10 characters)

forgot to bid

Speaking of politics, anyone want to tell us what massive military budget cuts may do to Delta pilot staffing? For example maybe cuts in charter, or guys on MLOA returning (no hiring needed) to a lot of MIL on next hiring trickle which many thought wouldn't happen.

Insiders have any thoughts on what may happen?

chuck416

Dragon,
Where can I get a bumper sticker like your avitar???

chuck416

That's easy. It'll put a lot of 12-14 year Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen in the un-employment ranks, further dragging down our economy, exacerbating the recession, and reducing our load factors. (insert sarcasm exclamation point here...) Actually, I have no idea what effect this will have on us as a company, or country. I have yet to see any ideas coming from this administration that I thought were good ideas....

dragon

I can't even tell you where I found the avatar! I have a file of them and picked this one up along the way. Could be one of those chain e-mails that I keep getting.

KC10 FATboy

As for Guard and Reserves (guys who are pilots), the impact has already started. A lot of the funding for long term orders was slashed. This means they will start to slowly return or have already returned back to the civil cockpits. However, many are volunteering for whatever they can so they can get a 20 year active duty retirement.

I may be wrong, but I suspect several on the long term MLOA or furlough bypass list have been employed by other airlines (SWA, DAL, UPS) -- just that DAL doesn't know it.

Cutting the ranks in the military is chump change considering to what really needs to be cut. And when those other budgets are cut, you will definitely see a reduction of government and charter travel (Iraq is over and Afghanistan is wrapping up soon).

Overall, going forward, our economy is not in good shape. The country either spends itself into bankruptcy and currency collapse, or you cut the massive money train and the economy slows. Double edge sword.

scambo1

It will cause the unemployment numbers to tick up.

Elvis90

The Army will cut 90,000 soldiers, and the Corps will cut 75,000 Marines over the next few years. The Air Force & Navy won't be cut nearly as much because of the new strategy's limited focus on Asia & the Pacific.

Mackubin Thomas Owens: The President's Risky Defense Strategy - WSJ.com

The President's cuts do not include the impact of sequestration, which would add an additional $500 Billion in cuts over 10 years.

GOP Moves to Avoid Defense Cuts - By Betsy Woodruff - The Corner - National Review Online

The military is not a secure place to be right now.

dragon

Most of the above mentioned posts will probably be redacted because they will be perceived as political. However, discussing things that directly affect the economy and our well being as professional pilots is I think germane.

We can't hide our head in the sand and pretend that what goes on in Washington, or London or Paris (can't remember where the darn EU is headquartered) doesn't impact us. Delta just announced new fees (surcharges) to counter the lunacy of carbon offsets and the Chinese are asking the EU to reconsider - read change your mind or we will call your debts due!

I was just thinking that maybe all of this funk we're feeling is a resurgence of the 70's era National Malaise.