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On 2/14/2003 5:05:46 PM RJStud wrote:
Ok Cart Pusher,
The DCI flying did belong to DALPA. They gave it up years ago because they didn't want to fly props. They didn't anticipate the RJ. They still have control over what percentage of their flying can be flown by code-share partners. Right now that percentage is between 43 - 49% for DCI. That does not include international code-share through the SkyTeam and the new CO/DAL/NWA code-share agreement.
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Originally, much of the DCI flying was flying that DAL would have lost anyway. You can't really say that now. With the "regionals" flying legs that are well over 3 hours now, I think it's safe to say that they are getting service that would have gone directly to DAL in another day. Therefore, it's safe to assume that ALOT of the DCI flying being done today is at the expense of DAL Pilots. Incidentally, how many ASA Pilots are currently on furlough?
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Don't feel too sorry for the furloughed DAL pilots that might want the DCI flying (we are hiring furloughed DAL pilots so they can get it that way if they really want it). They got something in return for it in their last few contracts (I don't know what specifically, but you can bet that they got something). That is the way the collective bargining process works. Also, if DALPA really wanted it back they could make a deal with DAL to get it back through the collective bargining process. I guess they don't want it, yet.
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Could you blame the DAL Pilots for not wanting to fly at the regionals? They probably make more on furlough then they would as a first year FO at ASA or Comair.
One thing we both agree on, the Pilots sure did get something back in their last contracts - and now they are paying for their greed. Their lack of foresight caused them to kill the goose that was laying the golden eggs.
Do you really think that DAL would agree to give back a sizeable percentage of DCI flying to DAL simply because DALPA wants to ensure secure futures for their Pilots? Just as the Pilots don't give back huge things in negotiations, neither does the company. They fought too hard to get to where they are now.
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ASA and Comair are WO's of DAL. We are part of DAL. We enjoy all of the benefits of being a DAL employee, except the retirement. We are actively working through the collective bargining process to secure all of the DCI flying for our employees (pilots, flight attendants, mechs, rampers, etc). DAL does not want us to have that kind of power, and uses contract carriers like Chit to under-cut our bargining positions. That is why we do not care for them. It is nothing personal against any employee of these contract carriers. It's the airline business.
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You enjoy everything but the significant pay which is why management finds ASA and Comair so much more attractive than DAL.
Don't count on getting all of the DCI flying back again, ever. DAL learned their lesson during the Comair strike. They learned what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket - big mistake! In fact, it seems that other airlines, that use more than one regional, have learned from that lesson as well - look at NW and US and UA. Note the way they have divided up the flying amongst their regionals so as not to have any one regional completely dominate one hub.
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The only reason that Chit was brought into MCO was to punish the senior Comair pilots for the 89 day strike. That is it. At ASA we are in contract talks right now, we know that if we have to strike, we will face a similar fate. We really don't like it. This lower cost thing is a bunch of crap.
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It appears to me, and any airline analyst as well as your union leaders, that DAL is simply making sure that they don't have another situation, such as the one in CVG, they had not too long ago. It had to be a foregone conclusion that as soon as that strike was over, DL was going to spread that flying around alot more so they wouldn't have the same worries again when contract time came rolling around at ASA. Smart move on their part really - though not entirely popular amongst the union I'm sure. It sure does give Comair and ASA a little less leverage. Incidentally, you knock the contract carriers but just remember who DID NOT fly any Comair routes during their strike. It would have been easy for Skywest management to step in and agree to pick up a little slack - they didn't, and not because management didn't ask them if they would be willing. They were asked, and out of respect for their bretheren, the declined. And Skywest isn't even ALPA to my knowledge - at least they weren't at that time. I don't know if that's changed.
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Look, Chit has to make a profit doesn't it? Do they fly for free (well they almost do)? When ASA and Comair fly for DAL all of the profits go straight to DAL. We both add around $15 to $20 Million per quarter to DAL. When Chit, Skywest or ACA fly for DAL, some of the profits go to DAL, but not all of it. These companies have to stay in business (make some money) right?.
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CHQ probably does have lower costs - and maybe their pilots do make less money. DAL pays them on a fee per departure basis. It is in DAL's best interest to make sure those flights are full. If they are, DAL is probably making more money than they would if they were to have to operate those flights themselves or have their WO's do it. I don't think that DAL is losing any money on the deals they have with their contract carriers.
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I don't care about the career expectations of the contract carriers. I care about the career of every ASA employee, and will fight the DAL whip-saw every chance that I get.
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Another thing we agree on, you should fight the DAL whipsaw. It doesn't mean you are always going to get what you want but it does mean that DAL WON'T always get what they want too.
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If your kids are older than me, then you must be around 80 years old, gramps.
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no disrespect to you or any other regional Pilot but I've been flying for 20 years. If you have also then please forgive the implication. I've seen the average age at the regionals however and think it's safe to say that I was flying when most of your peers were still in elementary/Jr. High school. That doesn't make me a grandpa.
Happy flying!
47 PM DLFlyer31 wrote: 
