Carl Spackler

I know you're probably a victim of knowing only what your former Republic pilot father tells you, but here are the facts:

Former NWA guys wanted a ratio because Date of Hire would have resulted in NWA guys losing over 25% in relative position. Former Republic guys wanted Date of Hire because they liked the idea of jumping up over 25% in relative position on the new list. The arbitrator ruled Date of Hire, but only under one condition: Since the Date of Hire created such a huge imbalance in relative position, and since Republic brought ZERO wide bodies to the merger, Date of Hire must be accompanied by a 20 fence off the wide bodies.

Here's the best part though...since the former Republic pilots got the 25% move up the combined list by winning Date of Hire, they've done even better now that the SLI with Delta went via ratio. I as a former NWA pilot was ratioed into the new Delta list 25% down from where a former Republic pilot was ratioed.

So what exactly did NWA pilots DO to Republic pilots again?

Carl

Bigflya

Mgmt put out at DOC that SOC would be 18-24 mos. Supposedly the FAA bought off on a plan for 18 mos. So plan on about March 2010. I'm sure we will have a few AE's before then.

Scoop

Super,
Any worthwhile information from the webcast?

Scoop

RockyBoy

I also think they started working on the specifics of an SOC when they announced the merger. They didn't wait to start until after the DOJ approved the deal. 18 months from the announcement would put the SOC around Oct 09. My bet is we see it before the summer 09 schedule. I'm placing my bet on May 09 so they can move stuff around as they want.

Superpilot92

Yeah alot, the Alaska rumor is imho big. Anderson was asked about it and his response "i dont normally say NO COMMENT but no comment"

using our current planes are better in their opinion because with fuel cheaper they are better investments than buying new aircraft right now. Basically dont expect a huge aircraft order anytime soon to replace our current aircraft. They like that our planes are paid for and have little to no ownership costs. They even compared the MD80s to a new 737-800 and said that using the current aircraft actually saves DAL 2.6 Million year per aircraft. They dont want lease payments if they dont have to. They said they are always looking at deals though and will only make purchases if the purchase was a sound investment purchase.

They said the DC9s are "today's treasure" lol they said when fuel was high "they were yesterdays trash but are now todays treasure". The DC9 allows them alot of flexibility to right size markets. Some talk of up gauging aircraft on routes. Instead of 2 flights from HNL they can do 1 flight a day on a 747, that was one example.

i was impressed because they sounded like a mgmt team that had their shat in order. It is nice to see a mgmt team that wants to make this a real world class airline and arent hear to just collect a pay check.

They seemed very happy with the pilot group and sounded like one of their high priorities are to ensure we have happy employees. He said a number of times that the only way to be successful is to treat the employees right and have employees that want a successful airline also.

There was alot more but that what sticks out right now. i would listen to it and at least listen to RA, EB, and a few others.

NoSoupForYou

Forgot? Hell, it's that giant elephant in the back of the room that nobody wants to talk about!

I'm glad the NWA pilots still have their frozen DB as well as the Delta DC plan. But we need to start beating the drum TODAY that Bastian's ill-gotten gains won't be forgotten. EVER.

We demand that original DAL pilots be made whole to the value of their frozen DBs, the same as the former NWA pilots.

Soup

Superpilot92

Agree 100%, my bet is a case of beer on that SOC happens this coming spring.

dtfl

Rumors are DAL is trying to speed up the SOC....I don't see that happening. A CP in our reserve unit had his Dad in the Sq the other night. His Dad is a retired FAA POI and worked with a cargo carrier for years. He was involved in a "merger" or acquisition and the subsequent changeover with regards to flight standards/training, etc and told me and a DAL buddy that 18 mos sounds about right...especially due to the fact that the ONLY common AC is a 757.
(Didnt want to throw out what company he was "tied" to - it might be obvious whom he is....just protecting the innocent :-) )

seamonster

This is a man who knows. VERY WELL PUT.

Hawaii50

I think they'll have a lot more problems than they think. As was stated earlier we have almost nothing in common operationally except we fly airplanes. Fleets, books, training programs, mx writeups, ACARS, flight directors, and the list of differences is endless. My bet, Spring 2010.