Delta Cutting Int'l Capacity By 10%

[LukeAisleWalker]

http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=11240

 

[jimntx]

Any idea when you will get specifics on the cuts?

 

[Dignity]

while the expansive non stop international seem impressive at JFK, ATL and other cities, some of it doesnt make a lot of sense if they are claiming "global recession" at this time.

internationally..they could simply route many of these passengers from the largest domestic hubs ATL and DTW into the international hubs..NRT, AMS and CDG code sharing and allow the passengers connecting..to other points from there.

they could focus on the DTW-AMS, DTW-NRT frequencies and the ATL-CDG, ATL-NRT frequencies..SLC-NRT, SLC-CDG ...JFK-NRT..JFK-AMS or JFK-CDG as well as MSP for International connections.

they have these new domestic hubs due to the merger, they should utilize them to its most potential, especially the second largest DTW....reducing some of those International non-stops and focus on the code sharing Domestic hubs to International hubs would save some money I would think?

 

[Kev3188]

"As a result of the voluntary programs just concluded, nearly 2,100 of our colleagues will be voluntarily leaving over then next several months. While these voluntary reductions met our overall target, there are certain positions and geographic locations where we fell short of achieving the goals of the voluntary programs. With the additional capacity reductions noted above, we again must reassess our staffing needs. As in the past, voluntary programs are always our first consideration to adjust staffing needs."

Translation: "Get ready."

 

[Airlinelifer]

"As a result of the voluntary programs just concluded, nearly 2,100 of our colleagues will be voluntarily leaving over then next several months. While these voluntary reductions met our overall target, there are certain positions and geographic locations where we fell short of achieving the goals of the voluntary programs. With the additional capacity reductions noted above, we again must reassess our staffing needs. As in the past, voluntary programs are always our first consideration to adjust staffing needs."

Translation: "Get ready."

B O H I C A !!!!!!!

 

[poplockanddropit]

B O H I C A !!!!!!!

You folks seriously need your head examined if you don't vote for union protection. It's going to get ugly.

 

[Dignity]

You folks seriously need your head examined if you don't vote for union protection. It's going to get ugly.

well the only way that can happen is for the union to call an election...(which doesnt seem to be happening)

 

[jalbalpa]

Dignity...

The vote will happen, when WE the flight attendants of NW/DL believe we are ready for this election. This election will happen when we have the MAXIMUM chance of success.

Our goal is NOT to file for an election, its to WIN an election.

The current NMB is management friendly, and this does not benefit me and you.

Our goal is to have an industry leading contract with industry leading wages, benefits, and work rules. The only way this will happen is if we secure representation. Under current conditions we MIGHT be able to win an election. I don't want to roll the dice with my career, I am a flight attendant and I will urge our leaders to hold an election when it benefits me and my flight attendant family. There is no benefit to the flight attendant to have the election today!

Again, we will hav ethe election when it is most beneficial to the Delta flight attendant group. Not when its most beneficial to Delta management.

 

[LukeAisleWalker]

Dignity...

The vote will happen, when WE the flight attendants of NW/DL believe we are ready for this election. This election will happen when we have the MAXIMUM chance of success.

Our goal is NOT to file for an election, its to WIN an election.

The current NMB is management friendly, and this does not benefit me and you.

Our goal is to have an industry leading contract with industry leading wages, benefits, and work rules. The only way this will happen is if we secure representation. Under current conditions we MIGHT be able to win an election. I don't want to roll the dice with my career, I am a flight attendant and I will urge our leaders to hold an election when it benefits me and my flight attendant family. There is no benefit to the flight attendant to have the election today!

Again, we will hav ethe election when it is most beneficial to the Delta flight attendant group. Not when its most beneficial to Delta management.

I understand what you're saying here but what I don't think some of the AFA activists are understanding is the nature of PERCEPTION and how perception affects action. In other words, FAs are anxious...anxious about the merger, anxious about the outcome of the vote, anxious about the state of the economy and thus, the state of the airline industry and their jobs.
What the leaders at AFA are doing by delaying is trading one stragtegy---having a more labor-friendly NMB member---for another strategy---alleviating the anxiety of the FA group by moving forward. So you're caught between a rock and a hard place. My opinion, and it's just an opinion and I could be wrong, but it is that if an election is not filed by the end of April, the decision-makers at AFA (be it the NWA MEC, P Friend, or the Delta AFA Activists) truly run the risk of blowing the whole thing. An April 30 filing would probably mean a late July or August vote deadline. (Last time it was 3 months from filing Feb 14 to vote tally, May 18). August is when cross-training is set to begin and FAs will really begin to feel that the merger is happening.
There's nothing wrong with strategizing, but putting all your eggs in one basket (waiting for Ms Van de Water to leave) could cost votes--just keep that in mind.
Secondly, PLEASE pay attention to the following items so as not to give the anti-union camp any more fodder:
1. Don't harass those who aren't interested with multiple phone calls. This includes calling those to see how they voted. If it's a secret ballot, don't call. Trust more; you'll seem less desparate and you'll win more votes. There's nothing wrong with calling to REMIND people of the voting deadline but not asking them how they voted.
2. STICK TO THE FACTS and cut out the unnecessary jabs appealing to the lowest common denominator. For instance, I watched some of a YouTube video of a meeting about the differences in Health Care Benefits between NW and DL FAs and a lead attorney for AFA made a comment, as an aside, something about "guess why DL has United Health Care", obviously referencing R.A's foray over there in between his posts at NW and DL. The problem with this is we at Delta have had UHC for many years....looong before R.A. went to work for them. This is just an example of the kind of thing that just leaves AFA open to attack from the you-know-whos. It's completely unnecessary and reeks of desperation. There are committed, passionate and devoted FAs at both airlines. That speaks for itself; tell them to cool it with these asides and to just stick with the facts.
3. If work needs to be done and I read somewhere Mr. Griffin is making some proposals---keep more openess and transparencey with the leadership.
4. I believe in a Laker Ballot (must vote yes or no). It's the truly democratic way, the way of our country. Concentrate on this, not the EFCA---remind FAs that we're still to have a secret ballot and that the EFCA is not for RLA-covered industries.

Again, all these things go back to perception, to style. Obama didn't win just because he's smart; he won because of his style as well---the way he speaks, his demeanor, his attitude, his patience, his humor. Compare that to the way McCain appeared much of the time---out of touch, snide, petulant, angry. Get the picture?
Just my .02

 

[BABABOOY]

Very well said Luke. Sounds familiar 😛 But you put it
together very well.
I would add that personal attacks and condescension could
be left out as well.

 

[dapoes]

Very well said Luke!

 

[Dignity]

Dignity...

The vote will happen, when WE the flight attendants of NW/DL believe we are ready for this election.

you will never know how the Flight Attendant feels until an actual election is held, that is the only way you can determine..how the group is ready to move in one direction or another.. what you are really saying is simply you are afraid you are going to lose, because if you were confident you would win.."WE" would have already had this election.

This election will happen when we have the MAXIMUM chance of success.

explain how that is going to happen.. just one example please.

Our goal is NOT to file for an election, its to WIN an election.

as mentioned earlier in another post I like your attitude of ultimate success, however in that same process of waiting the chances are.. this goal is causing some to be completely turned off to the entire idea.

The current NMB is management friendly, and this does not benefit me and you.

it does not matter who is running the show, those people do not affect my view on the vote non-what-so-ever, the same is said for those who feel opposite.

Our goal is to have an industry leading contract with industry leading wages, benefits, and work rules. The only way this will happen is if we secure representation. Under current conditions we MIGHT be able to win an election. I don't want to roll the dice with my career, I am a flight attendant and I will urge our leaders to hold an election when it benefits me and my flight attendant family.

but you see when did you ask the rest of us to hold off? is this not a democracy where everyone's opinion matters?

There is no benefit to the flight attendant to have the election today!

let me explain something to you...the economy is going to get worse before it gets better, it has expanded globally...take a look at the markets for further clarification and a reality check.

this election should have already happened simply for the fact we should be negotiating a contract right now..including having the seniority list wrapped up as well... today, there is no resolution...nothing...this is a mistake...at minimum we should be negotiating right now if anything..

to protect what we have with both groups..

if they are rolling the dice hoping the economy gets better and we are to secure this industry leading contract during the worst financial crisis in our country.. with some of the highest unemployment levels, this is not even rational...its time to start thinking.(did you happen to pay attention what happened at Boeing.. their situation and their contract and how it played out..when all was said and done by overreaching in these economic times...)

Again, we will hav ethe election when it is most beneficial to the Delta flight attendant group. Not when its most beneficial to Delta management.

they have nothing to do with this election, but they will play a part in how ultimately a "industry leading contract" will play out.. based on cooperation on both sides...delays and a divisive attitude will not help secure this goal, it has not worked in the past, it will not work in the present or future.

just how much more are we going to have to go through.. in order for some to understand these ideas from the past dont work.

 

[LukeAisleWalker]

you will never know how the Flight Attendant feels until an actual election is held, that is the only way you can determine..how the group is ready to move in one direction or another.. what you are really saying is simply you are afraid you are going to lose, because if you were confident you would win.."WE" would have already had this election.

explain how that is going to happen.. just one example please.

as mentioned earlier in another post I like your attitude of ultimate success, however in that same process of waiting the chances are.. this goal is causing some to be completely turned off to the entire idea.

it does not matter who is running the show, those people do not affect my view on the vote non-what-so-ever, the same is said for those who feel opposite.

but you see when did you ask the rest of us to hold off? is this not a democracy where everyone's opinion matters?

let me explain something to you...the economy is going to get worse before it gets better, it has expanded globally...take a look at the markets for further clarification and a reality check.

this election should have already happened simply for the fact we should be negotiating a contract right now..including having the seniority list wrapped up as well... today, there is no resolution...nothing...this is a mistake...at minimum we should be negotiating right now if anything..

to protect what we have with both groups..

if they are rolling the dice hoping the economy gets better and we are to secure this industry leading contract during the worst financial crisis in our country.. with some of the highest unemployment levels, this is not even rational...its time to start thinking.(did you happen to pay attention what happened at Boeing.. their situation and their contract and how it played out..when all was said and done by overreaching in these economic times...)


they have nothing to do with this election, but they will play a part in how ultimately a "industry leading contract" will play out.. based on cooperation on both sides...delays and a divisive attitude will not help secure this goal, it has not worked in the past, it will not work in the present or future.

just how much more are we going to have to go through.. in order for some to understand these ideas from the past dont work.

Dig,
We are totally on the same page now. (As you can see from my above post.) Enough time has gone by. If AFA wants to shake up their business-as-usual approach and show they are becoming a bold, forthright organization, they should step out in faith and file for the election in the next couple of weeks. Every day they wait, it DOES seem like they are afraid they will lose. Hence they are waiting for an NMB replacement and, from what I understand, possibly filing to have the vote based on the Laker Ballot--a yes/no. Can you imagine what it would do for the cause (of union representation) if they came out and said something like 'we believe it would be best to wait, but we've listened to many of you, know you are anxious in this bad economy and are listening, therefore we are filing for a representational election today.' ??
Their current approach, to me, is backward thinking. It's probably going to be a close election anyway. From the time they file until the votes are counted, more than likely Obama will have appointed a new NMB member. Because (IMHO) this will be a close election, if AFA can prove a Laker Ballot is necessary--petition for a revote THEN (that's, of course, if they lose by a small percentage). But let's get the ball rolling NOW, please.

 

[Dignity]

Dig,
We are totally on the same page now.

we need to have an election..

(As you can see from my above post.) Enough time has gone by. If AFA wants to shake up their business-as-usual approach and show they are becoming a bold, forthright organization, they should step out in faith and file for the election in the next couple of weeks. Every day they wait, it DOES seem like they are afraid they will lose. Hence they are waiting for an NMB replacement and, from what I understand, possibly filing to have the vote based on the Laker Ballot--a yes/no. Can you imagine what it would do for the cause (of union representation) if they came out and

60 percent of the DAL Flight Attendants said.. No thank you, not at this time..

now..the idea from the beginning should have been to explain to that 60 percent why its important
to have representation...a perfect opportunity was made available months ago...and that would have been prior to a seniority integration lawsuit.

they need to have basically every Pre-merger NW FA, plus the 40 percent of DAL FA and then a portion of the 60 percent to support representation..to be successful.

does some think.. filing a lawsuit over seniority integration, delaying the election is going to help that 60 percent see it their way? probably not...the longer this is dragged out the worse their chances for success...especially when some start to relate to DAL moreso..and a different way by going into the uniform in a matter of weeks...I am already seeing people change their..minds... the condescending attitudes from some of the key union reps on other sites is definitely not helping the matter at all.

said something like 'we believe it would be best to wait, but we've listened to many of you, know you are anxious in this bad economy and are listening, therefore we are filing for a representational election today.' ??

the shift would be...people would start focusing on the actual election instead of not having one planned or a timeline determined at all.. that would probably be a smarter move at this point.

Their current approach, to me, is backward thinking. It's probably going to be a close election anyway. From the time they file until the votes are counted, more than likely Obama will have appointed a new NMB member. Because (IMHO) this will be a close election, if AFA can prove a Laker Ballot is necessary--petition for a revote THEN (that's, of course, if they lose by a small percentage).

it seems they are trying to be too careful in their strategy, when people are in the mix(different ideas regarding voting, sometimes you just have to show effectiveness... is that happening?)

But let's get the ball rolling NOW, please.

they really need to have something announced prior to the cross training.

 

[LukeAisleWalker]

60 percent of the DAL Flight Attendants said.. No thank you, not at this time

I don't think that's entirely accurate as has been mentioned in the archaic way of RLA's voting process. My opinion is that I think it's far more correct to say "40% said Yes". Of that 60%, one was even a dead FA that the NMB refused to take off the list. Can you imagine if the vote had been 50% and you need the 50%+1 and she was that one????? Also of that 60% many have been out on furlough for over 5 years and probably either didn't get the ballot, tossed it 'cause they've moved on, are so disconnected from the Co. they realized they couldn't make an informed decision, etc...(This has all been covered ad nauseum on this and other sites including AFA's talking points.)

they need to have basically every Pre-merger NW FA, plus the 40 percent of DAL FA and then a portion of the 60 percent to support representation..to be successful.

By my calculations they need about 80% of the pre-merger NW FAs and the 40% of DL FAs.
These are based on approximate, rounded-off numbers (of FAs):
21,000 FAs total. 50%+1 would be 10,501
DL's 5,000 (per last election--it was actually 5,300)
+ NW's 5,501 (this is actually slightly less than 80% of the NW group as 80%=5600)
____________
10, 501...Wins the election.

does some think.. filing a lawsuit over seniority integration, delaying the election is going to help that 60 percent see it their way? probably not...the longer this is dragged out the worse their chances for success...especially when some start to relate to DAL moreso..and a different way by going into the uniform in a matter of weeks...I am already seeing people change their..minds... the condescending attitudes from some of the key union reps on other sites is definitely not helping the matter at all.

Agreed

the shift would be...people would start focusing on the actual election instead of not having one planned or a timeline determined at all.. that would probably be a smarter move at this point.

Agreed

they really need to have something announced prior to the cross training

.

Also agreed