forgot to bid

Carl, things keep changing.

Back in April of this year (when the company had no idea that they might be able to acquire 717s from SWA ) we were told hiring in mid to late 2013.

Then the TA dropped. No mention of a change in the hiring plan so still mad to late 2013.

Then the rumors of 717s come with pilots was met with a late memo saying not true, but still no mention of a change in hiring.

Then people question whether the 717s are just replacement aircraft and now we may, may, have to hire in 2012 instead of mid to late 2013. The word pandering comes to mind since it was on the eve of the vote.

And now all of a sudden, those 739s are no longer 1:1 replacements as has been said since they were ordered. And we may exercise options for 30 more 739s and make those all growth.

In the batters box is probably the rumored 773 order, 24 more 717s and we'll upgrade the entire fleet of MD88s and 90s with new cockpits.

They ain't stupid and neither are we.

If the contract doesn't say it, it doesn't have to happen.

forgot to bid

BTW, 773 orders, 24 more 717s and cockpit upgrades for the MD fleet are rumors I absolutely believe.

Problem is, it'd be 773s to replace 744s, 24 717s to bring the fleet to 112 to help replace 117 MD88s and the MD90 gets a cockpit upgrade.

Staffing, ASM and cost neutral.

alfaromeo

Okay, that's easy, 30 MD-90's replace 21 DC-9's and then add 88 717's. That's 1,000 right there. Any other questions?

Carl Spackler

OK great. Where in the TA does it say Delta is obligated by our TA to acquire 30 MD-90's and/or 88 717's? Because remember you said:

We have an agreement that will add 1,000 new mainline jobs, but somehow that is a bad thing. Go figure.

Carl

Eric Stratton

Aren't they saying that you're currently over staffed and didn't some work rule changes cause extra staffing as well?

Bill Lumberg

The 773s wouldn't replace the 744s for 10 more years. They are installing AVOD and sleeper seats on the 744s as we speak. They will be good for at least 10 more years. If they stopped doing the work, that might mean something. The other 717s are sitting in Marana or Mohave, a lot of them in Mexicana Click paint schemes. A new airline in Spain, Volotea, just got a few, but Spain isn't doing well these days. As far as the MD88s go, the leases achieved in BK were pretty good. I don't know how long they will last, but I don't know if anyone has heard that they are on the chopping block. Eventually, maybe. Maybe they will be replaced with 737Max or 320NEOs?

Bill Lumberg

They staff here for the Summers, and are usually overstaffed for the Winter and late Fall. Delta makes most of their money in the Summer months. Throw in a bunch of retirements in a couple years, and the training department will be a zoo.

80ktsClamp

Bill- there are several 767s in the desert that had a million dollars of AVOD and interior upgrades installed in them.

None of what you typed is any sort of a guarantee... it's wishful thinking at best.

Bill Lumberg

They have to get 88 717s or they won't get any of the 70 76 seaters. It states that in the TA. Most of the 30 MD90s are already here in the States. Since you fly your 744s to Manilla and don't go to Greensboro or Indianapolis much, you wouldn't know about that. A bunch of them are sitting, waiting to get mods right now.

Bill Lumberg

Just like you thinking management will come back with more, or soon. Wishful thinking, at best. A bird in the hand is worth 19.7% and 200 fewer 50 seaters. All you got is.....a hunch. And they don't get any 76 seaters without 88 717s. It's in there, take a look.