271c

Ahh yes. I love when someone drops an insult on the internet, yet doesn't know the difference between "wine," the alcoholic beverage, and "whine," the act of complaining.

WhiskeyDelta

I'll ask again since you said this again and didn't answer this question earlier. Has Delta ALPA been approached by management with an LOA for any formal flow program recently? If not then it's management that hasn't brought the subject up. You're looking for a straw man in the wrong places. Management hires our employees not Delta pilots. They have decided a pure flow is not in the cards right now.

My only resentment towards your argument is that you truly think Delta pilots have any control over this. Any flow implemented in the coming years just adds pilots behind those currently on mainline's list. In the grand scheme of things it means nothing to us.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jethikoki

OK you and others have had some good replies. (no sarcasm). Mainline relinquish scope which allows mainline flying at the regionals. It has been said or inferred that you want to have control over your product or a good fit. How can you have that or say that when your regional partners haven't been through DAL hiring? If you truly want to have control why not just level the playing field and have one standard of hiring for all where DAL does all the hiring? It shouldn't matter anyway at Endeavor since DAL does everything else. Then you or DAL would have no reason to not have a flow. This antiquated system was never meant to be like this. You definitely cannot blame this on regional pilots. We didn't force you to give up your flying. But mainline pilots could have at least maintained control of who gets hired through the same system and hiring if the equipment being operated has your companies name on it. You mainline pilots didn't. Easier to get the bigger paycheck allowing this 2 class abysmal system to happen.

Urbandrone

The success rate using the last published numbers from the union was over 65% in first and second interviews. It also wasn't a coin toss. Most folks who were humble and understood this was an opportunity not a job offer before they walked in have the job. Once in a while I find a guy who was given the double no that makes me scratch my head, but most of the time it made sense.

I do think that out union may have sold the SSP to the pilot group as a handshake interview, this accounts for a slow start and some resentment from senior pilots. Maybe our union should have asked a few more questions about how this process was going to work so pilots would have been better prepared.

Anyway the point is the SSP was successful, hundreds of pilots are leaving, this is creating movement and opportunity for new pilots at Endeavor. I talk to guys every day at work who are moving to Delta. They are thankful and happy, they no longer participate in these forums because they don't need to worry about the EDV rumor mill. That is why we see such a skewed view of the SSP on this message board, most of the people commenting didn't make the cut.

I would expect the DGI to have the same results, if you understand the interview is an opportunity, you study hard, you are thankful for the opportunity, you treat the interviewers with the same respect you did the interviews at Endeavor you will get the job. If you don't you will not. We most remember that Delta did give us the opportunity to extend the SSP through the USSP only adding the 2 year captain clause and the union turned this down without letting the pilot group vote in hopes of forcing a flow. Thankfully Delta decided to give us something similar it to us anyway.

WhiskeyDelta

Thank you for taking time to write this post. As usual, most forums are dominated by the naysayers. You gave counterbalance to the standard argument that the SSP was largely a failure. I doubt it is a failure otherwise Delta would've put the kibosh on the program long ago.

Lastly, you hit the nail on the head. Success in any interview is based almost solely on how one presents themselves to their prospective employer. What you said in the highlighted text above can't be more true.

Twisted mind

Is it an insult or an observation? If they spent their time working for a goal rather than complaining what would happen?

Twisted mind

I don't think most Delta guys are against a flow. They just don't care. The same way you would not care.

53x11

General statement..Don't be a Negative Nancy! LOL That's for all my brothers and sisters who had to put up that old hag! Ken, remember our wonderful trip with her and the crazy van ride? I must warn everyone, there will be many turns along this route. LMBO

I came from Express Airlines I/Pinnacle/Endeavor. I have been at Delta 13 months now. This is simply my opinion:

I understand why many find frustration with the SSP. That being said, "we had/you have" no control over the program. (the union negotiated(s) on your behalf, so through input to reps possibly) What you do have control over is when you apply, how hard you prepare. Personally, I never studied so hard and prepared so thoroughly for anything in my life. Does that mean I deserved the offer or was guaranteed an offer? No. Concentrate on what you have control over. I should've been out of the regionals years ago. Nobody to blame but bad timing and me.

I hope as many as possible are successful. Delta is a great place to work. Guess what? As much as we all like to bad mouth regionals over the years and boy it was rough my first few years, Endeavor was a good place to work too. Much better now than when I left last year from what all my friends say. My time there was worth it, if for only one reason. All the friends I made.

I have a cousin who has been trying to get his foot in the door with Delta for several years. Not so much as a peep. Think about all the people who have waited for years to get an interview much less the job. I would submit that the SSP is/was successful even if only 1 person got the nod. At least from that one person's point of view. Now of course who wouldn't want 100% success rate? Like life and the real world that just doesn't happen. I relate the being a wholly owned DCI and SSP participant to pro baseball. You have A, AA, AAA, the majors. Because the Yankees signed you to their A league team in Battle Creek, doesn't guarantee you'll move up to AA, AAA or the Yanks. But you have an opportunity. Make the most of it. Not trying to preach guys/gals just purvey hopefully some leveled headed input.

I remember sitting in DTW ops one day trying to prep another pilot for his upcoming interview. Every question myself or another CA asked this pilot, he made a joke and laughed and it became obvious he wasn't taking it serious. You know how it turned out. Thumbs down. He was a really good guy too. Leave nothing to chance. For those preparing for an interview, a little food for thought. If you ask yourself, should I do this, or should I take that. You have already answered your own question.

One last thing. In my 13 months over at Delta, I've had nearly 100% positive experiences with my CA's. Maybe one or two that were horses rears. Guess what? If you worked at McDonalds flipping burgers it'd be the same. It's no different than Endeavor, just on a larger scale. I have always said hi to pilots I pass in the terminals. That's just me and for those who know me, you know it's true. I don't give a rip if anybody doesn't do it to me though. I can't control what someone else does. However, I have found over the years that you attract more bees with honey.

I'll end with this. My wife asked me right after I left Endeavor but prior to starting class at Delta, "What are you most proud of from all your years at Express-acle-deavor?" You know what my answer was? Not that I never got violated ( not for ATC lack of trying ), or never dinged a plane, (except for that baggage cart that was pushed in front of my left wing during parking ). Nope, it was simply that when I walked through the terminals anywhere in our system, I would hear, "Hey Toolman", and be greeted with a smile! I'm sure one or two folks told me I was #1 behind my back, but that's okay!

Don't do like I did for years and sit and wait for the major leagues to come calling. Go to them and show them what you're made of ! If you get knocked down, get back up and push forwards.

Unlike 99%, I have no problem saying my name.

To all my former co-workers, keep the dirty side down and what are you waiting for?

Sincerely, Tim "Toolman" Taylor

Twisted mind

Love it Tim! We know why you were hired!

block30

Dude, you are awesome. Only flew with you one trip, but I can see why Delta picked you up! Good for you, good post.