Bad news

In light of these developments, I’m foregoing 100 percent of my salary, effective immediately, for the next six months.

-Ed
Ed Bastian is such a night and day difference from the DAL execs running the show 15 years ago.

5 to 10 years from now business schools are going to be teaching Ed Bastian like they used to teach Herb Kelleher.
 
I think that's about as best an employee could hope for from a company's CEO. The drop off in bookings is obviously terrifying to airlines. I appreciate his direct approach, including details about preserving cash, the company, and foregoing his salary: "we can’t put our company’s future at risk waiting on aid from our government". He's not pulling punches, nor should he be.
 
Just an update. I finished Indoc on Friday. Management told our class that all, some, or none of us could be changing fleets/bases. Due to all the shuffling and canceling of flying, network planning is still figuring out what to do. As of now, I’m still expected to report back to ATL on Saturday to start systems on the 88. Very interesting times but I think Delta is more than ready to handle it. The good thing that can come from this is I can potentially get back to NYC faster. There’s a 2 year seat lock so I’ll be stuck commuting for 2 years but if they change my fleet or retire the 88/90 early, I can bid for something else. And for any of you ATL locals, I’ll be there until April 17th if you guys want to meet up!
 
Surprising turn of events. Some of the bids in our class got messed up and unfortunately that changed my aircraft and base to ATL MD88.

I don’t fly often, but when I do, it’s always the ‘dog on the CHA->ATL and return legs. It would be fun if I get to fly with you sometime.

Let us know when you are in Atlanta with time to kill. There’s several of us on the board here.

And others of us close enough to pop down on a weekend day as well.
 
"In light of these developments, I’m foregoing 100 percent of my salary, effective immediately, for the next six months."

Now that, my friends, is a LEADER.

Ed Bastian is such a night and day difference from the DAL execs running the show 15 years ago.

5 to 10 years from now business schools are going to be teaching Ed Bastian like they used to teach Herb Kelleher.

I think that's about as best an employee could hope for from a company's CEO. The drop off in bookings is obviously terrifying to airlines. I appreciate his direct approach, including details about preserving cash, the company, and foregoing his salary: "we can’t put our company’s future at risk waiting on aid from our government". He's not pulling punches, nor should he be.

15 years ago, Delta was just another airline. But more recently, I've been hearing from a lot of people I know that work there that they've made it a REALLY good place to work... And happy employees make happy customers, and that shows.
 
Now that, my friends, is a LEADER
Glad hes taking a paycut but its really all just for optics considering salary is only a small fraction of compensation. I think UALs president and CEO both did the same helps out when they go crawling to the Gov for a bailout. How many billions did UA AA and DL waste on stock buybacks...
 
15 years ago, Delta was just another airline. But more recently, I've been hearing from a lot of people I know that work there that they've made it a REALLY good place to work... And happy employees make happy customers, and that shows.

Now, have they finally learned what legroom in cattle car is? Every time I've ridden Delta back there (dating back to 1976) I've never had enough legroom. UA and AS for me until I hear otherwise.
 
@jordane93 is the F word in circulation? So far it’s not here ... yet.

I’m in new hire training as well. Good luck!

Congrats on the new gig!

Koolaid is always strongest in the schoolhouse. :) I’d imagine the F word is being thrown around (unofficially) everywhere. Hopefully the country comes to its senses in a couple of months. Good luck guys!
 
@jordane93 is the F word in circulation? So far it’s not here ... yet.

I’m in new hire training as well. Good luck!
It’s being discussed but not likely at this point. My understanding is that furloughs are very expensive so it would be a last ditch effort to try to save the company. Looks I’ll go through training as planned. Good luck on the new gig! Where are you at now?
 
According to this, Delta, United, and American are all pretty much the same for seat pitch in coach:
The regular economy seats are all very similar in pitch.

All three airlines also have some rows available with extra legroom. These seats can be purchased or are free to select for frequent flyers who have reached the status milestones in the FF programs.

United's extra legroom seats, called Economy Plus (E+), is the largest of the big three. Still, you'll see the regular economy section full, or nearly full, with significant amounts of E+ seats available. Those E+ seats are available to most of the passengers in regular economy but most are choosing to stay in the cheaper seats with less legroom.

With DL and AA's smaller extra legroom sections you may not see as much of a disparity as you do on UA.
 
According to this, Delta, United, and American are all pretty much the same for seat pitch in coach:

https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blo...th-the-most-legroom-in-economy-and-the-least/

The regular economy seats are all very similar in pitch.

All three airlines also have some rows available with extra legroom. These seats can be purchased or are free to select for frequent flyers who have reached the status milestones in the FF programs.

United's extra legroom seats, called Economy Plus (E+), is the largest of the big three. Still, you'll see the regular economy section full, or nearly full, with significant amounts of E+ seats available. Those E+ seats are available to most of the passengers in regular economy but most are choosing to stay in the cheaper seats with less legroom.

With DL and AA's smaller extra legroom sections you may not see as much of a disparity as you do on UA.

As a UA Million Miler I can select E+ seats at the time of ticket purchase. I know there is less legroom in the back of the plane, but I don't ever sit there. On DL or AA, always. Keep in mind that when I first rode DL back in 1976 the extra legroom seats in the front of cattle car didn't exist.

Once in a while I even get an upgrade to 1st on UA. Better food and even more room.
 
Anyone around Thursday or Friday? I’m off both days. Not sure what we can do though since all the restaurants are closed for dining in.
 
Anyone around Thursday or Friday? I’m off both days. Not sure what we can do though since all the restaurants are closed for dining in.

Of course we are around. We aren’t allowed to go anywhere. :)

Drive thru, then pull your cars up next to each other like cops, six feet apart. LOL.
 
Is there a prize for the shortest time to go from hiring to furlough ?




I hope for all of you that this thing is transient and that the industry picks up the pre-covid levels within a year or two.
 
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Well. Got a call a few hours ago that my training has been canceled and I’ll have to rebid for a new base and equipment. Sad that I won’t fly the mad dog (was actually looking forward to that DC-9 type!). Good news is I’ll 99.99% likely get displaced to anything in NYC so I can go back to driving to work. I’m still getting paid and will just have to wait a few weeks before they sort this mess out! I’m just glad I have a seniority number. The guys who are loping to make the jump from regional to major may have to spend a few more years there before any one else hires again.
 
Sorry to hear that. On the bright side, it is not impossible that the whole thing could end up working in your favor. I assume large numbers of pilots are taking early retirement packages due to this.
 
Good news - almost everyone wants to get back to work. I'm in consulting and going nuts being stuck here and not on site with my customers.
 
Well. Got a call a few hours ago that my training has been canceled and I’ll have to rebid for a new base and equipment. Sad that I won’t fly the mad dog (was actually looking forward to that DC-9 type!). Good news is I’ll 99.99% likely get displaced to anything in NYC so I can go back to driving to work. I’m still getting paid and will just have to wait a few weeks before they sort this mess out! I’m just glad I have a seniority number. The guys who are loping to make the jump from regional to major may have to spend a few more years there before any one else hires again.

Fly the 717 and you'll get the DC-9 type.
 
Fly the 717 and you'll get the DC-9 type.
I don’t want it enough to fly that plane haha. 717 was supposed to be around another 5+ years before the virus started. They’re not really sure what to do with them now. I will if that’s the only thing available in NYC. I’m thinking I’ll have my pick of anything in NYC. Again, just happy I’m still getting paid and have a seniority number. I was supposed to do my procedures validation tomorrow. There are guys that had LOEs scheduled this week and they’ll have to learn a new plane.
 
Good news - almost everyone wants to get back to work. I'm in consulting and going nuts being stuck here and not on site with my customers.
That’s what I’m thinking. When this is over, people will be so tired of being cooped up that they’ll want to get out and travel. :dunno:
 
For bragging rights? Dying fleet, I would think.

Hey, I don't question why people want certain types. Jordan just mentioned he wanted the DC9 type, and Delta still has the B717's (90 of them?) so I suspect they'll be around a while.
 
We got an email yesterday saying the goal is to rebid for new equipment/base by mid April and bring us back to school the earliest by June so I’ll have a few months off. Realistically, I think I won’t be back until July or August so I’m looking at part time jobs at grocery stores or places like CVS or Walgreens. I can survive off the training pay but the thought of being cooped up at home for 4 more months doesn’t sound fun to me.
 
We got an email yesterday saying the goal is to rebid for new equipment/base by mid April and bring us back to school the earliest by June so I’ll have a few months off. Realistically, I think I won’t be back until July or August so I’m looking at part time jobs at grocery stores or places like CVS or Walgreens. I can survive off the training pay but the thought of being cooped up at home for 4 more months doesn’t sound fun to me.

Some people relish the thought of doing nothing; others believe in accomplishing useful work. I always bet on the latter.

Youll be good, long-term, and I’d never bet against you!
 
I can survive off the training pay but the thought of being cooped up at home for 4 more months doesn’t sound fun to me.

You've got a hell of a good attitude for this career - IMO your Dad did a really good job of setting your expectations appropriately. Might need to wait a bit before cashing it in, but you still have the Golden Ticket in hand. Good luck buddy. :)
 
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We got an email yesterday saying the goal is to rebid for new equipment/base by mid April and bring us back to school the earliest by June so I’ll have a few months off. Realistically, I think I won’t be back until July or August so I’m looking at part time jobs at grocery stores or places like CVS or Walgreens. I can survive off the training pay but the thought of being cooped up at home for 4 more months doesn’t sound fun to me.
Teach people to fly! Oh wait, you want to eat. LOL My mistake.
 
Some people relish the thought of doing nothing; others believe in accomplishing useful work. I always bet on the latter.

Youll be good, long-term, and I’d never bet against you!

You've got a hell of a good attitude for this career - IMO your Dad did a really good job of setting your expectations appropriately. Might need to wait a bit before cashing it in, but you still have the Golden Ticket in hand. Good luck buddy. :)
Yea it really comes down to me just having a purpose. I can probably sit at home for a month but after that I’ll get antsy. I’m not a workaholic either but I like having a purpose. I’ve got the next 39 years to work!
 
Teach people to fly! Oh wait, you want to eat. LOL My mistake.
I actually just got a call from the chief pilot because I put in a request for outside flying and said it would be approved. My flight school is open but barely doing anything. We just have occasional renters and really no one is doing instruction. I’m firing off an application to Shelt Air for a line service job. I figure if I make a good impression they’ll take me back if I get furloughed in the fall.
 
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