liptonT

Yes and no. My available date on airlineapps was the end of July. Delta interviewed me in March and then asked if I could start early May. I then had to tell them that I couldn't start when they wanted me to due to military obligation. They asked for proof via documentation, which I provided. I heard rumor that they were burned by someone who recently went through indoc, got his seniority number, then dropped mil leave to finish out his 5 years of active duty. Perhaps that, combined with needing pilots ASAP, has caused them to be more inrerested in how people declare their availability dates. Just my $.02

Galaxydriver

I hope that's not a true story. That's the kind of thing that creates resentment for those serving our country in the Guard/Reserve.

Greyhairdwonder

That makes sense, thanks. There are stories floating around about people saying they are available immediately when they really aren't. I'm not sure how that's working out for them (if the rumor is even true).

thefoxsays

It happens. I love our military, but a large part of DAL's staffing problem is 50% of new hires get online, then take mil leave. Whether long term, half a month or the weekend warriors.

Like I said I LOVE the military, and they have the right to take MIL leave... But it does impact staffing. That is all. Don't read to much into this.

maddogmax

Guys who go through indoc, and then immediately go on long mil leave, are only hurting their brothers in arms. Although they have the legal right to do this, Airlines hire pilots to fly their airplanes. I can see that if this practice continues, they will only hire pilots that have completed 20 yrs of service. Just my thoughts.

palooza

And begin discriminating based on military service? Nope.

GunshipGuy

Delta doesn't have to contribute to the 401k of military guys who are away from the job to work their military job, do they? Nor do they have to pay them a PS check, right? They do this to be nice? To be patriotic?

As a former military guy I don't see why they do that. It would seem to be an item one could put in the "pro" column for reasons to go back to do mil flying while holding a seniority number.

If the company doesn't like guard/reserve guys leaving after indoc/training they should take the either the 401k or the PS away since they're not working for it.

Timbo

How does the company calculate a 15% DC/401K payment and profit sharing payout to a guy on mil leave, drawing zero pay?

When I was activated for Gulf War 1, Delta didn't know me until I got back, and when I did, they took away a couple weeks of vacation, because, "You didn't earn them..."

TED74

Are you confident saying that this is a large part of their staffing problem? I thought it had more to do with not starting hiring when they should have, not paying an industry-leading hourly rate, not maintaining an efficient fleet mix and not returning QOL contractual elements (e.g., vacation) to pre-bankruptcy levels. I encourage everyone not to establish a circular firing squad on their fellow pilots. I like your statement not to read too much into it, Fox...that seems healthy.

IMHO: Mil leave is temporary. None of these guys and gals will be doing military leave when they are sixty five. Many will hang it up only a couple years after getting hired at Delta. They all (probably) clearly disclosed their military membership prior to getting hired. And if you're junior at Delta, the folks higher up the list and who are currently on long term military leave have opened up vacancies that create upward movement and a greater need for pilots on the seniority list.

A large number of your military members lose money to go complete their military obligations. Sometimes, they lose a LOT of money...but yes, sometimes they make out great. No different from anyone else maximizing the system to do what's best for their families. And do you know what those military obligations are? (I'm sure you do)...things your states and federal government have committed them to doing on your behalf. Things your elected representatives have ordered the organizations to which they belong to do. They are part of a team other than Delta, and they want to help carry that load just like they help their fellow 13,000 Delta pilots do the good work they do every day on the lone. I have no interest in trying to make them pay a massive seniority bill on top of all that they are sacrificing already.

If you don't like your category's trip mix with too many 5-day rotations, consider what a 180- or 365-day rotation through Afghanistan or Iraq might look like for you and your family. Mamma's got a lot more to handle than what to do with the kids for 4 nights. No, MLOA isn't all that type of duty, but it's some of that. There are good deals and bad deals all around.

There are enough ways your management team is trying to screw you out of money, time off and an isle seat - I encourage everyone to focus on that (and how to correct those injustices). Save yourselves some angst and worry less about those who have volunteered to give their lives in service of your country, without any union to back them up with grievances when life stinks.

NavyFlyer

Guys who abuse mil leave or straight up lie on applications are douches. Most of us are Reservists who do the right thing by both employers and take care of both jobs to the best of our ability.

A wise man once said you have your family, Mother Delta and the Navy all vying for your attention. If all of 'em are a little ****ed off at you, then you're doing it right. If one of 'Em is happy and the others are mad, you're doing it wrong.

As officers in the service we are expected to be honorable and be forthright in our application to Delta. DON'T LIE. Also, don't come here and drop 3 yr orders if you can help it. Be a normal dude/dudette and Mother D will take care of you (99% are doing it the right way).


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