gloopy

15 years ago the "70 seater" was green lighted and on the way to the regionals regardless. And the Bach Jet was already at the regionals, including one DL bought. That wouldn't have gotten an SLI.

The actions of the CMR (and ASA, although because of timing to a slighter lesser extent) didn't stop an SLI, but they guaranteed it wouldn't happen. Their strategy was to take the runway, reach V1, and then and only then, figure out how to proceed. IOW, commit to an SLI with no conditions or protections, and only after it was committed to, then fight it out. That was a horrible strategy that didn't work out, and bloviating about the sanctity of "the process" rings hollow to this day.

gloopy

Yeah and you got +/- miles on each side of the airway before anyone cared, and +/- a full 300 ft as well. If you messed up then, it was far less likely to have lead to a loss of separation. Now they expect zero variance. A couple tenths of a mile is a big deal, and snitch boxes are way more prevalent than you think. Its great to practice hand flying and I agree that collectively we don't do it enough, but sometimes you have to swallow your pride and monitor the AP.

TalkTurkey

It would seem that your response would serve to amplify what I'm saying. I believe my post was meant to reflect an observation in what the current trend is. Not an insatiable emotional tirade. I do believe that mainline screens out or rather disqualifies applicants on criteria that has nothing to do with job-related qualifications or experience. That's the observation I am conveying. I am not complaining. Any company could hire whom they please. What's more in observation, it would appear that mainline would prefer not to hire people with a lack of good education, overweight, single, and nonparticipant with community relations.

JesuitValen

I gotta tell you, this is the third time I've started the slow clap after reading your posts today. Good points, all.

Mesabah

That's because people like that are more dependent on the system, they are better for the company, especially airlines that go through hard times. After two bankruptcies, and a merger, the only former Mesaba ones left, were the loyal diehards. They had the highest success rate of anyone in the SSP.

jethikoki

After Lorenzo transferred Eastern's assets to his wholly owned alter ego, Continental, and Continental left ALPA, our union was determined to never let management whipsaw us again. ALPA adopted strong language designed to prevent whipsaw by forced mergers. Delta was a beneficiary of the Texas Air mess and was never that fond of mergers (or ALPA) for that matter. (there was a abortive decertification drive then too)

It is likely the Delta MEC had advanced notice that Delta intended to buy ASA and Comair (can't prove it) but we do know the Delta MEC led a push to remove that merger language at the 1998 ALPA BOD.

Concomitant with the denial of Comair and ASA's merger request, ALPA adopted this "permitted" model which divided ALPA members into preferred and non preferred groups.

Without a real merger policy, there was no way to force real, structural, unity. In effect ALPA agreed to alter ego whipsaw, as long as it existed at the permitted aircraft level.

The perception was, and is, that express jobs are not real airline pilot jobs. That for some reason regional flying, which indistinguishably mimics the flying mainline does, is simply a stepping stone to a real job ... and only real jobs should be protected.

Ultimately I am merely advocating equality "but not at the expense or demise of any mainline position or job". What are you advocating? Would it had made any difference in the merger if NWA or Western Airlines had same or less hiring practices then any regional? I doubt it. Where is the hiring practices mentioned in ALPA's merger policy? Would it not be better for ALL pilots to go through the same interview when operating equipment for that company?

Mesabah

What happened to Comair was a disgrace to unionism, but the Delta pilots were in a position of power, all too often that results in the lessor group getting screwed. Happens all the time, and will continue to happen till the end of time.

bonesbrigade

That's not the normal call at all.
That is the minimum engagement height.
In the thousands of hours I have here I'd say that maybe 20 percent of the time it is called for right at 600.

Green Needles

That's what happens when we pay 1.9% of your salary to the Delta Air Lines Pilot Association.

jethikoki

Agreed and what DAL did to 9E pilots was also and a failure of ALPA. But why did the Delta MEC feel a need to make changes to ALPAs merger policy? Maybe it was good timing he did!