NWA & Delta merger?

[VisuAL]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2005-09-16-merger-speculation_x.htm

Just noticed this article. What do you think, could it happen?

Alan

[andy]

If it did, I wonder where the new headquarters would be located? And for that matter, if they would combine the sim shops?

[Textech]

Andy,
I think you'll like Atlanta.

[reprob8]

Expect NWA to bust the rest of the unions on the property first with the exception of ALPA. I doubt that Delta will agree to a merger readily until NWA is relatively union-free.

[andy]

Andy,
I think you'll like Atlanta.

But Minnesota has so much to offer!

I'd think that I'd miss that magic of a little frost on the car in the morning...
http://www.simtechonline.com/pictures/snowcar.jpg


Or that drive to work right after a little snowfall...

http://www.simtechonline.com/pictures/snowroad.jpg

[shortstop]

Stop it with the pictures.... you're making me homesick. frown:

[andy]

Stop it with the pictures.... you're making me homesick. frown:

Hey, how about the ol' memories of clearing the driveway after that first September snowfall??

http://www.simtechonline.com/pictures/snowplow.jpg

[dirtydozen]

I love 'DA snow.
I guess it's just another way of having time to one's self.

[little jake]

Andy,

Those pictures remind me why I left North Dakota for South Florida. I never did like shoveling the snow at five in the morning just so I can get to work, and shoveling the snow out again after work just so I can get into the driveway after the city plowed the streets.

[SimGeek]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2005-09-16-merger-speculation_x.htm

Just noticed this article. What do you think, could it happen?

Alan

A couple of articals from Forbes.com

BA's Eddington Admonishes U.S. Aviation Protectionism
Chris Noon, 09.23.05, 1:08 PM ET

British Airways Chief Executive Roderick Eddington reckons U.S. protectionism is the chock securing that country's embattled airlines. His final speech as the U.K. flagship carrier's CEO contained plenty of invective directed at practices across the Atlantic.

"In the last four years, the U.S. airlines have soaked up $15 billion to $20 billion of public subsidies and loan guarantees. They're operating in protected markets, they're hoovering up public funds and still they can't make a profit," scoffed Eddington, possibly referring to the likes of Continental, UAL's United Airlines, and AMR's American Airlines. Yet the outgoing CEO reserved some praise for the EU, which he thought had been wiser in the case of struggling carriers.

Eddington argued that the greater the amount of U.S. government intervention, the more things have deteriorated at airlines: "They struggle to compete and, at some, the workforce has been demoralized," he opined. "The lessons America has been imposing on third world markets with an almost pitiless ferocity apply to America just as much," Eddington added.

One solution suggested by Eddington was swallowing pride and consolidating: "The international industry is structurally unsound. There are too many flag-carrying fleets making vanity flights around the world," he was quoted as saying.

Full text @<hidden> http://www.forbes.com/2005/09/23/eddington-protectionism-aviation-cx_cn_0923autofacescan05.html


When Bankruptcy Is The Best Solution
Richard Lehmann, 09.23.05, 11:20 AM ET

The management at AMR?s American Airlines should be praying hard, since only an act of God can now save their company from an eventual bankruptcy filing. The bankruptcies by Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines on Sept. 14 were close enough to Sept. 11 to revive memories of its impact on the airline industry. More importantly, it leaves American as the only legacy carrier that has not resorted to a court ordered restructuring.

From my 25 years of involvement in and reporting on bankruptcies, as well as lifetime career in finance, I have learned a few things about when bankruptcy becomes both inevitable and even desirable. AMR has reached that point. One need only look back at history to see why this is so.

Legacy airlines are those that grew fat and happy during a time when the government regulated the industry, dictating fares and route competition. When deregulation came more than 25 years ago, new carriers sprang up and highlighted the structural flaws that regulation had instilled in this industry.

Peter Drucker, in his writings on management, pointed out that all industries had one--or more--of three common structural weaknesses. They were either labor intensive, capital intensive or vulnerable to the cost and supply of a key commodity. Airlines are in the unhappy situation of having all three weaknesses. With deregulation, legacy carriers found themselves with labor costs, work rules and cost structures that could not compete against new upstarts. One-by-one, Pan Am, TWA, Eastern, Braniff, United, US Air, Continental and a multitude of smaller players threw in the towel.

AMR, like its peers, used the threat of bankruptcy to extract wage concessions and work-rule changes from its employees--changes that would have allowed it to become more efficient and enable it to trim back unprofitable routes. This did not, however, relieve it of employee seniority costs (i.e. the higher wages earned by its more senior ?last to go? employees and their higher pension costs)--costs, which an upstart carrier doesn?t have. But even after squeezing its labor force, AMR is still left with billions in debt from the hundreds of aircraft it does not want and the expensive airport gates that are being under-utilized. Only through bankruptcy can they quickly reduce this large and costly accumulated debt.

Full text @<hidden> http://www.forbes.com/2005/09/23/amr-delta-bankruptcies-cz_rl-0923soapbox_inl.html


The compulsive optimist that I am still hopes that someday, the Airline Industry will actually adopt the "free marketplace" as part of it's model.
Let the businesses that can't survive in the free market go under. Businesses that can't compete without artificial props to hold them up should be buried.

[andy]

Man... this story just won't go away!

http://www.tiaca.org/articles/2006/06/20/3EF8B734D2D54A02934C5515239895CE.asp

NWA, Delta merger possible, exec says
Source: WorldACD (http://www.tiaca.org/common/redirect.asp?goto=http://www.WorldACD.com)

NEW YORK, June 19 (WorldACD) - Northwest Airlines Corp. and Delta Air Lines have a "real possibility" of merging, said the chief executive of airline carrier KLM, which is part of Air France.


KLM chief executive Leo van Wijk told reporters in New York that a merger would benefit Air France-KLM as it would be easier to deal with one entity.


Such a merger has been rumored since the Eagan, Minnesota-based Northwest entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last September, on the same day as Delta.

[The Pirate]

dude, i told ya, the new name will be NELTA or DEL-WEST!!!
scared: grim:

[reprob8]

dude, i told ya, the new name will be NELTA or DEL-WEST!!!
scared: grim:

Wrong.

Northwest Delta Air Lines = NO DEAL

[Mas_o_menos]

Lemme see now,,,,,,

Delta is the greek symbol for change........

Northwest Airlines is a sign of what the worst can happen to an airline....

Ergo

We now have a Change for the Worst..........

How about DeWorst Airlines?

[Hawk]

I think a Northwest/Delta merger would be a mess. No matter what they say mergers always mean more job cuts anyway so it wouldn't be good for the employees of either airline. I think it is more likely these airlines will be bought by heathly airlines once they get their balance sheets and union trouble under control. State sponsored foreign airlines are licking their chops waiting to buy up US airlines in trouble. Legislation could happen this summer to allow it. Like it or not, globalization is expanding.

[markovol]

What's a healthy airline and where are you hiding them?

[The Pirate]

What's a healthy airline and where are you hiding them?

ya got that right.

[Doctor Clutch]

By what criteria you are judging ?healthy?? In my estimation NWA is surely not healthy. However they did report to the bankruptcy court a $72 MILLION consolidated profit for the month of May. March and April were both profitable also. January to the end of May has a total profit of $110 Million. This info is from court filings that can be found at http://www.pfaa.com/News/Bankruptcy/Stmt.asp. Should be some HEALTHY BONUSES for execs, don?t you suppose? hothead:

[Hawk]

What's a healthy airline and where are you hiding them?

They live overseas and they have deep pockets.jimi1:

[markovol]

Kind of hard for an overseas airline to buy a US airline.

[The Pirate]

They live overseas and they have deep pockets.jimi1:

do the bus's run on air over there???tongue:

[markovol]

Goverment air!

[andy]

Two items in the news:

Thestreet.com is showing a news video that states that NWA is exploring seveal options, including a leveraged buyout. http://publish.vx.roo.com/thestreet/portal/?clipId=1373_10327086&channel=Market+Updates&puc=iwon

bizjournals.com reports the following:

Report: NWA enlists bankers to bid on Delta


Northwest Airlines Corp. might offer an opposing bid to buy Delta Air Lines, following last month's takeover bid from US Airways, according to the Financial Times.

FT.com reports Friday that NWA plans to enlist the help of Evercore, a New York-based boutique bank to look for "strategic alternatives" for the airline. In a court filing, Northwest refers to the possibility of an "M&A transaction" (merger or acquisition) as a possible result of the process, FT.com reports.
Northwest and Delta, both emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, are both candidates for merger. The two might merge or be separately bought by other airlines, analysts have said. Northwest operates a 50-gate hub at Memphis International Airport, which could be affected if the airline merges with another, as gate forfeiture and route elimination could result from such merger.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bizj/061208/1388233.html?.v=1&printer=1

[Egyptian]

Those are the kind of news bits that make Delta (DALRQ) go up .13 today I LOVE IT. KEEP THE TALKING GOING


Egyptian

[andy]

demon: To keep the conspiracy theory alive...

http://www.iam143.org/northwestairlines.htm

NWA/Delta Merger Speculations and Rumors

Over one week ago, Delta Airlines named former Northwest Airlines CEO Richard Anderson to be CEO at Delta. Since then, every written publication (and most conversations) has speculated about the two carriers merging their operations. Executives are denying it, but one thing that we all have learned from experience is that when there are clouds on the horizon, it’s a pretty good bet that a storm is coming. The only responsible thing to do is to be prepared.

Fortunately, your union has deep experience and a long history of protecting its members when it comes to any type of consolidation in our industry. Many of you have lived through past mergers and know it is never easy. You also know that the IAM will use every resource available to ensure its’ members interests are protected.

With that background, and this latest development, District 143 will begin our merger preparedness program. In the near future, we will assemble key representatives to detail contingency plans that can be executed if and when a merger scenario plays out that affects our members. Our aim is not to alarm you or to predict any event; but to be prepared for any event. We want to be ready, and we want you to be ready to defend our rights, if the need arises.
More information on our progress will be distributed to you as circumstances develop. Rest assured, those with a voice – those who are members of the IAM – will have their rights defended, their interests protected, and their jobs fought for. We will be prepared for any consolidation eventuality our industry forces upon us.

[markovol]

Sounds like an excuse for a boondoggle to me....snide:

[Zepp]

Don't worry Andy, you are going to love Atlanta. :biggrin:

[Egyptian]

Hey Andy, when you move to Atlanta, it is not far from there to Huntsville, stop over and we will try to pickle our livers.

Egyptian

[dalsimtech]

Let's just say that if history is any indication, you should have no problem walking all over Delta personnel in a merger. Personally, since you have made the decision to pay for representation and the perks it offers, I say you should avail yourself of the opportunity to play hardball if a merger were to take place. Rattle the cages, so to speak.

[markovol]

NWA sim shop rattle cages.....no never....that's a company shop.....emo_narke

[andy]

This rumor just refuses to die...

ref: http://www.startribune.com/535/story/1489536.html

Is NWA merger on horizon?


Delta CEO Richard Anderson, who formerly led Northwest, raised the prospect of a Delta merger, citing "obvious benefits" for employees, shareholders.
By Liz Fedor,Star Tribune
Last update: October 16, 2007 – 10:23 PM

Richard Anderson, the new CEO of Delta Air Lines and former head of Northwest Airlines, on Tuesday ignited a new round of speculation about airline mergers when he said a Delta deal could have "obvious benefits" for its employees and shareholders.


Anderson did not name a potential merger target for Atlanta-based Delta, but analysts long have argued that Eagan-based Northwest would make a good partner because the carriers' route networks complement each other.

Delta and Northwest held preliminary merger talks while both were in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but both chose to emerge from bankruptcy this spring as standalone carriers.

Anderson, who was the top executive at Northwest until late 2004, took the unusual step of raising the issue of consolidation in opening comments that he made during his first quarterly earnings conference call with Wall Street analysts as Delta's CEO. During Delta's bankruptcy, management marshaled all its resources to beat back a hostile takeover from US Airways.

Anderson took the reins as CEO in August, and his statements on Tuesday signaled that sentiment toward a merger is shifting within Delta, particularly if Delta takes the lead.

"We are evaluating the best path forward for Delta," Anderson said.
Stressing that "evolution toward a more consolidated industry will continue," he said a merger "could make sense for Delta if it is done thoughtfully from a position of strength."

US Airways CEO Doug Parker and United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton have for some time been publicly calling for consolidation in the industry, but merger speculation has died down since the US Airways bid for Delta collapsed in January.

In the market for a partner

Bob McAdoo, an airline analyst with Avondale Partners, said Delta now must be considered to be in the market for a partner. "Delta seemed to be saying that it is interested and actively reviewing the possibilities," McAdoo said. "We had previously been of the belief that Delta was unlikely to instigate a merger."

Northwest "is the one carrier we could see as the object of a bidding contest," McAdoo added in a research report. "Northwest's Pacific routes and its relatively smaller size among the six legacy carriers make it the most attractive target partner for almost any legacy bidder."

Kevin Crissey, a UBS Investment Research analyst, agreed that Delta might turn first to Northwest.

"We think Northwest is a more natural partner than United" for Delta, Crissey said.

Ben Hirst, Northwest's senior vice president of corporate affairs and administration, declined to comment on Anderson's remarks or the potential of a future Northwest merger.

In a late August interview, Northwest board chairman Roy Bostock said, "This airline can sustain itself and build itself as an independent airline for the foreseeable future."

However, Bostock added, "If an opportunity opens up where we think we can increase shareholder value and stakeholder value through a consolidation or merger, we'd look at it."

Dave Stevens, chairman of the Northwest pilots union, said, "We have no knowledge of impending mergers involving Northwest or any other airlines."
The pilots union holds a seat on Northwest's board and Steven said Tuesday that the pilots have maintained a merger committee since June 2006, so they will be prepared "if a merger situation develops."

Lee Moak, chairman of the Delta pilots union, met with Anderson hours before he was named Delta's new CEO on Aug. 21.

At that time, Moak wrote to fellow pilots: "Mr. Anderson assured me that he was not selected as CEO to facilitate a merger between Delta and Northwest or any other airline."

Five weeks later, Moak sent another letter to pilots that pointed out that Delta's board of directors "was selected by Delta's creditors during the bankruptcy process."

The Delta board is responsible to Delta's shareholders, Moak said in his Sept. 24 letter, and institutional investors could force Delta into a merger.

Comments still stand

A Delta pilots spokeswoman said Tuesday that Moak's Sept. 24 comments still stand.

Philip Baggaley, a Standard & Poor's credit analyst, said Anderson's comments implied "that Delta could be interested in a merger, but only as a buyer, rather than a target company."

He noted that the costs of acquiring and integrating another airline would carry "considerable risk for the buyer."

The complexities of blending union workforces, company cultures, fleets and debt loads have made airline mergers work better in theory than in practice.

When US Airways was making its takeover bid for Delta, it was being dogged by problems combining ticketing operations and labor forces from its merger with America West.

Pilots from the two carriers still are bitterly divided.

Northwest and Delta pilots are both represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.

Delta's pilots aggressively opposed a merger with US Airways, but Moak testified before a U.S. Senate committee that Delta pilots would support the "right consolidation effort" that had a "rational mix of routes, employees and resources."

Anderson struck a delicate balance Tuesday when he acknowledged the need to satisfy employees and shareholders when considering a merger.
"Our employees are our greatest asset," he said, adding that employee "support is crucial for our continued success."

But he also cited the need to "do our very best to create shareholder value."
© 2007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

[andy]

NWA's the smaller company so their stock should rise before this is announced and Delta's should fall.

Not that there would be any insider trading going on with the people with advance knowledge, right?

parp:

[markovol]

It sure didn't take slick dick long did it....

[andy]

Yesterday the MSP paper had ol' Doug Steenland saying there were too many airlines in the US.

The market still shows DAL as the stronger stock, but with the image of NWA being so bad I can't imagine them keeping the Northwest name.

[dalsimtech]

Was there any particular mention of Delta in his remarks? I'm guessing not. Any clues whatsoever?

[markovol]

Your kidding...the ex CEO of NWA is now at Delta....that should be enough..

[dalsimtech]

Your kidding...the ex CEO of NWA is now at Delta....that should be enough..Well, we have a senior VP from Continental, too. Top management can jump from one to another and not show particular allegiance to their former employer. That said, I'm not exactly blind to the possibilities. I just think it isn't necessarily a slam dunk because of it.

What actually has me thinking more about it are the reports from third party, outside analysts in the media. CEOs and board members usually seem persuaded by these market gurus as to how the stockholders and public will view the merger. If they are talking about it making sense, that seems more important than former employers.

[markovol]

So lets see.....a CEO from NWA.....a senior VP from Continental who NWA owns a lot of the stock and NWA seems to be able to get people with money for things like the Midwest Airlines purchase.....do you believe in coincidences.....



I'm not saying NWA and Delta are going to merger I'm just saying NWA would be the most logical and easiest...

[Usual Suspect]

I'm not saying NWA and Delta are going to merger I'm just saying NWA would be the most logical and easiest...


How's that saying go? If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Just seems like there's too many "circumstances" pointing towards a merger with Northwest. I guess the way I look at it, Delta's chances for a merger are 100%. All of the other heavily unionized carriers are around a 50% probability. My figures are due to the total screwup of the US Air/America West merger. You have two companies operating under the same roof, and the unions just can't hammer out an agreement between their employee groups. The airline creditors and CEO's can obviously see there's no stockholder value in that merger. So, it would seem that a smoother merger could come from a less unionized airline; i.e. Delta.

To sum it up, most managers lead by the path of least resistance.

[dalsimtech]

UsualSuspect, I think that was well stated. Obviously, Delta would be an attractive partner to anyone. The labor force here is pretty easy. They are very forgiving and forgetful. This is a combination that suits a good shafting.

The funny thing is that management put out a letter to all employees a while back stating that in the event of a merger, they would take our needs into consideration and do what is best for us, paraphrasing. Of course, there is no clear definition of what is "good" or "best" or anything else.

They also said that this letter, in writing, would stand up in court. The thing they don't mention is that it is a POLICY they can change at any time. Also, even though employees could take it to court, it doesn't mean it would stand up because there is too much vague, undefined language. It is, as law classes teach, an "illusory promise".

deal:

[The Pirate]

It sure didn't take slick dick long did it....

i thought they called him teflon dick.......headscratheadscrat

[markovol]

He answers to any dick name....

[andy]

ref: http://www.btnmag.com/businesstravelnews/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003722611


UBS Analyst: Delta, Northwest Merger Still Coming Soon

MARCH 10, 2008 -- A merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines appeared hindered in the past week, but UBS airline analyst Kevin Crissey in a research note today said, "We still expect a DAL/NWA merger announcement in the near term."

Crissey said investors—who have salivated at whiffs of a deal—are growing frustrated at perceptions of a lack of progress toward consolidation, as detailed in media reports. For investors, mergers "may be the only way to soften the blow from the bear case which is playing out—high fuel prices and a weakening economy," Crissey said.

According to press reports, Delta and Northwest are awaiting the resolution of labor issues, notably pilot seniority lists, before entering into an agreement. Crissey noted several possible explanations for management being so resolute about labor support—from the belief that a lack of support would undermine financial synergies of a deal to the thought that union support will make Department of Justice approval more palatable. Crissey noted another theory: "It is possible that Delta and/or Northwest management have made seniority a deal breaker solely to give the appearance to shareholders and their boards that they've made an effort to merge." To that theory, Crissey wrote, "It is possible, but not our view."

Crissey noted another possible justification for delaying an agreement. "Upon the announcement (not closing) of a merger, Northwest would effectively sacrifice its Golden Share over Continental, which currently prevents Continental from merging without Northwest's consent (under most reasonable circumstances). Therefore, Northwest needs to be certain that whatever deal it announces will close."

Crissey said that even if labor groups throw their support behind Delta and Northwest, other forces could undo an agreement, including DOJ or political pressure. Still, Crissey said, "We believe the window for these deals to be announced is closing and that, given the upward move in fuel prices, labor may want to view the current proposal in a more favorable light."

[The Pirate]

man, i hope you guys come out of this alive and kickin!! your all in my thoughts and i wish you luck.crossfingcrossfingcrossfingcrossfing

[andy]

I just want it to be over... no matter what the outcome.

I'm watching the stocks and they are both tanking again, but so is the rest of the airline stocks. Maybe it's because of oil hitting 107.75 today.

erm-:

[techstorage]

My name is ***** Please pass this information on to anyone you think will be interested.

[techstorage]

the open house is from 10am to 8pm wednesday & Thursday

[The Pirate]

techstorage, if ya don't know who this is, ask andy, but man, i wish you luck and god speed. you and your guys deserve the best. i know you'll do your best. hopefully there will be some meat on the bones after the pilot's decide how to divy up their pickin's. don't forget the note book for kickin ass and takin names!!!!star:star:star:star:star::biggrin:

[Textech]

Good luck guys.

[reprob8]

techstorage, if ya don't know who this is, ask andy, but man, i wish you luck and god speed. you and your guys deserve the best. i know you'll do your best. hopefully there will be some meat on the bones after the pilot's decide how to divy up their pickin's. don't forget the note book for kickin ass and takin names!!!!star:star:star:star:star::biggrin:

About the only bone they'll be likely to get as a result of this merger is an uncircumcised one.

[techstorage]

the open house is from 10am to 8pm Wednesday & Thursday

Our IAM Grand Puba Robert Roach Jr (GVP - Head of transportation) and the entire ****** were there to tell stories and answer questions. I met a man that helped negotiate a union contract for the Eastern Airline Flight Simulator Technicians in the late 70’s. There was a wealth of knowledge at the open house. The Air Tran employee’s had a good showing. Delta was second and little if any from Continental Airlines. Unfortunatlly, I didn't get a chance to meet any of the Sim Techs while I was down there. After spending the day in the sun handing out flyers to people leaving work, the beer was cold and refreshing. It was a good time of the year to be out of the snow!!

[techstorage]

Taken for Startibune.com

http://www.startribune.com/business/17099066.html

Northwest Airlines willing to merge with Delta without pilot agreement

It is my thought that most mergers happen this way!

[guest]

Delta pilots OK deal to clear way for NWA merger (http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=507651)


Bloomberg News Service reports Thursday that Delta Air Lines Inc. and its pilots agreed on a tentative contract to clear the way for a merger with Northwest Airlines Corp. that would create the world's largest carrier.

The pilot accord includes higher pay and an equity stake in the combined airline, which would keep Delta's name and Atlanta headquarters, said Bloomberg's sources, who didn't want to be identified because the plan is still private.

The tie-up may be announced next week, the people said.

To work around an impasse between Delta and Northwest pilots, who couldn't agree on how to mesh their ranks, Delta is drawing up the new contract with just its 7,000 pilots, said the people.

Northwest's 5,000 pilots will be asked to join under a single contract later, the people said.

Negotiations to create a combined seniority list may take months to complete, the people said.

Pilots for both companies are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.

The merger includes a small premium for Northwest investors, three of the people said.

Delta spokeswoman Betsy Talton declined to comment, other than to reiterate that the company's board committee to assess mergers remains active.

Tammy Lee, a spokeswoman for Eagan, Minnesota-based Northwest, declined to comment.

[The Pirate]

i don't have any comment to this thread, i just saw andy's new description for the guest log in "anonymous coward!!!" gotta love that, god one andy!!!:sheep1::sheep1::sheep1::sheep1:

[SimGuru]

Well folks -- It has finally happened:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080414/delta_northwest.html?.v=14

The Delta pilots voted for it and get a seat at the executive table. Northwest pilots are now going to suffer whatever the Delta pilots choose to do when they merge the seniority lists.

Since the Delta pilots were the only group mentioned -- anybody want to speculate what will happen to the Northwest non-pilot groups?

Let's face it, an aircraft or simulator do not exist until a pilot's butt hits the seat -- then all of a sudden, boom, looky here, we have an aircraft or simulator for the pilot to bitch about.

I do not work for either company -- however I have respect and sympathy for my brothers in the Northwest and Delta sim shops. I have been in buy out situations and there is a stress level regarding the unknown future that can gnaw at a soul.

Good luck, guys!

[Sherlockgnome]

Well to paraphrase Heston: They finally gone and dun it. Oops, nutkick:better be quiet. The water is rising.

[andy]

The news hit the shop at NWA at about 5ish. We weren't told that it was completed but it came out that a building wide meeting (complete with TV webcasts) would be at 10:00AM in the main area.... so we knew what was about to unfold.

It then hit the newswires and it was downhill from there.

I have copies of both the NWA and the DAL internal memos... they both have different angles and there's also a lot of similarities.

I'll attach the DAL memo with this post.

The NWA pilots are already screaming, so this is not going to be a smooth merger!

I would of posted this update sooner but I just got home from work.

[dalsimtech]

The Delta pilots voted for it and get a seat at the executive table. Northwest pilots are now going to suffer whatever the Delta pilots choose to do when they merge the seniority lists.Well, this won't be like American and TWA. AA pilots are in their own independent union and wrote specific language into their contract for how the merged seniority list would work. Since TWA was smaller, the language held up in court.

However, in Delta's case, the pilots are in a wonderful AFL-CIO union, which writes merger language much like, "In the case of a merger, the company will meet with both sides to resolve seniority list merging in an expeditious manner."

Lovely, but it is short on specifics. The company will be hashing this out for a long, long time. Therefore, Delta's management, not ALPA, will have more to say in the event the merger passes muster. The truth is, with the company not wanting to upset pilots, they will probably keep them apart for a while and let them continue to have an ALPA-to-ALPA battle. Who knows what/when/where they will come to an agreement.

Now, as for sim techs, we at Delta are non-union. Therefore, we have no say. Since NWA is smaller airline, the Railway Labor Act and National Mediation Board cases have ruled that the smaller airline will never dictate terms over the larger airline as far as union contracts go. Therefore, the merger of us will go straight to Delta management to do as they wish. They have such a wonderful track record.

I imagine they'll simply grant everyone their current seniority date in the new company and let people fall where they may. If they keep both shops open, which would be the best scenario, they may say that moving/bidding between shops voluntarily would put you at the bottom of the list for shift bidding and vacation selection purposes, while being moved involuntarily would result in you keeping your seniority for all purposes.

deal:

[andy]

The NWA IAM contract is as follows:


It is understood and agreed that all provisions of this Agreement shall
be binding upon any successor or assign of the Company which
acquires ownership and/or control of all of the equity securities of the
company or all of the value of the assets of the Company. In case of a
sale, consolidation, merger, liquidation, reorganization, bankruptcy or
trusteeship, wherein the successor is engaged in the operation of an air
carrier and decides to conduct merged operations, representatives of the
Company and the Union will meet without delay and negotiate for
proper provisions for the fair and equitable integration of seniority
pursuant to Sections 2, 3 and 13 of the Allegheny-Mohawk LPPs.
Nothing herein shall prevent the Company or successor air carrier from
conducting separate operations following an acquisition, and such decision is at the sole discretion of the surviving entity.


The DAL memo states:

"Upon completion of the merger, the status of union representation among the various workgroups, along
with the status of Northwest’s union contracts, will be resolved through the appropriate governmental
processes."

"Governmental processes" ??? I'm guessing that means a vote.The sim shops are so low on the priority list that I doubt if we'll see much action for a long time.

I should have won the powerball by then.

[dalsimtech]

Blah blah blah. Not a specific word in that. Basically, it is "let's get together and talk about it." All AFL-CIO unions put that in there so that if they meet up with another AFL-CIO union, they won't run roughshod over them.

The thing is, with independent unions, you can have a "screw 'em all and do what's best for us" attitude, like the AA guys did. Then, as long as your the big boy airline, your contract with specific language will rule.

deal: Small airline guy -->buttkick:<-- Big airline guy nutkick:

[markovol]

Well folks -- It has finally happened:

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080414/delta_northwest.html?.v=14

The Delta pilots voted for it and get a seat at the executive table. Northwest pilots are now going to suffer whatever the Delta pilots choose to do when they merge the seniority lists.

Since the Delta pilots were the only group mentioned -- anybody want to speculate what will happen to the Northwest non-pilot groups?

Let's face it, an aircraft or simulator do not exist until a pilot's butt hits the seat -- then all of a sudden, boom, looky here, we have an aircraft or simulator for the pilot to bitch about.

I do not work for either company -- however I have respect and sympathy for my brothers in the Northwest and Delta sim shops. I have been in buy out situations and there is a stress level regarding the unknown future that can gnaw at a soul.

Good luck, guys!

I have no sympathy for the pilots but do hope things go smoothly for the simtechs.......good luck guys.

[markovol]

Blah blah blah. Not a specific word in that. Basically, it is "let's get together and talk about it." All AFL-CIO unions put that in there so that if they meet up with another AFL-CIO union, they won't run roughshod over them.

The thing is, with independent unions, you can have a "screw 'em all and do what's best for us" attitude, like the AA guys did. Then, as long as your the big boy airline, your contract with specific language will rule.

deal: Small airline guy -->buttkick:<-- Big airline guy nutkick:

So that's the way it's going to be......this could be bad....

[MrMambo]

I have friends on both sides, so good luck to both.

[cavok33]

Well, this won't be like American and TWA. AA pilots are in their own independent union and wrote specific language into their contract for how the merged seniority list would work. Since TWA was smaller, the language held up in court.

However, in Delta's case, the pilots are in a wonderful AFL-CIO union, which writes merger language much like, "In the case of a merger, the company will meet with both sides to resolve seniority list merging in an expeditious manner."

Lovely, but it is short on specifics. The company will be hashing this out for a long, long time. Therefore, Delta's management, not ALPA, will have more to say in the event the merger passes muster. The truth is, with the company not wanting to upset pilots, they will probably keep them apart for a while and let them continue to have an ALPA-to-ALPA battle. Who knows what/when/where they will come to an agreement.

Now, as for sim techs, we at Delta are non-union. Therefore, we have no say. Since NWA is smaller airline, the Railway Labor Act and National Mediation Board cases have ruled that the smaller airline will never dictate terms over the larger airline as far as union contracts go. Therefore, the merger of us will go straight to Delta management to do as they wish. They have such a wonderful track record.

I imagine they'll simply grant everyone their current seniority date in the new company and let people fall where they may. If they keep both shops open, which would be the best scenario, they may say that moving/bidding between shops voluntarily would put you at the bottom of the list for shift bidding and vacation selection purposes, while being moved involuntarily would result in you keeping your seniority for all purposes.

deal:


I'm betting on the Pan Am Scenario - as I was telling Andy earlier, day shift weekends off in OC3 starts at 7 A.M. -- don't wear sneakers. Bring your own "Rascal" as they have a special area next to the break room (geriatric ward) for parking and charging of batteries.

[andy]

Delta and Northwest shares continue sliding on concerns about buyout obstacles and costs
April 16, 2008: 04:11 PM EST

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Delta Air Lines shares fell sharply again Wednesday as Wall Street took a cautious view of its acquisition of Northwest.

Delta and Northwest Airlines Inc. agreed to combine late Monday. If regulators and employee unions sign off on the deal, the companies will form the world's largest airline. But both stocks skidded Tuesday after the companies said they have no plans to cut back on flights.

On Wednesday, Calyon analyst Ray Neidl said the benefits from the tie-up won't take effect for two to four years.

Airline mergers are usually difficult for the first few years, he said, and this deal features large initial costs. The combined airline may need to shrink its fleet or close minor hubs if fuel costs keep rising, he added.
Neidl said the move is necessary, and he thinks it will lead to a wave of needed consolidation in the airline industry.

Separately, the analyst also predicted larger losses for Delta due to accounting changes.

Delta Air Lines Inc. shares slid 54 cents, or 5.9 percent, to $8.62. On Tuesday, the stock fell 12.6 percent.

Northwest shares fell 73 cents, or 7.1 percent, to $9.55. The stock lost 6.6 percent Tuesday.

The slide in Delta shares has wiped substantial value off the total deal _ more than $640 million thus far. The premium Delta is offering Northwest shareholders has also shrunk to 12.8 percent from 16.8 percent as originally announced.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/c1e3d187bb3c6673c9730e8d24ea0b9b.htm

[andy]

There's also suggestions that American may make a counteroffer on Northwest. I think that's just speculation though (it was mentioned in 04/16 Wall Street Journal).

[markovol]

Which would be a better deal for the guys at NWA sim shop?

[andy]

American has better pay and benefits even though they are under a concession contract.

I'd pick Atlanta over Dallas though....

[dalsimtech]

Back when Crandall was in charge, he saw Delta bidding on Pan Am assets, and he thought they were getting away cheap. So Crandall decided to bid to force the price up. Ron Allen, Delta's lamest CEO, threw all his cards down and raised the price to some ridiculous level. Crandall sat back and laughed while we swam in debt and got mired in an ugly acquisition that still affects certain areas of the company (particularly sim mtc) to this day.

cuss:

[techstorage]

Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) announced that the Committee's Taskforce on Competition Policy and Antitrust Laws will hold a hearing titled, "Competition in the Airline Industry" on Thursday, April 24. The IAM will speak before the House Judiciary Committee.

I will be attending the hearings in Washington DC, with fellow IAM members.

[dalsimtech]

...and take your seat at the back of the seniority list!

demon: nutkick:

[andy]

...and take your seat at the back of the seniority list!

demon: nutkick:



Or better yet... how about if we just do it alphabetically? scratchch

[techstorage]

I like size, we are front line for a reason!

[markovol]

I thought size didn't matter.....

[Textech]

I thought size didn't matter.....

I think that is just what the "little" guys say.wink:

[Pioneer]

Here's something to think about with Part 60 taking effect on the 31st of May. If I read Part 60 correctly you lose grandfather rights when you move a simulator after the 31st of May, so if Delta plans on moving the NWA simulators to Atlanta does that mean they will have to meet Part 60?s anybody believe the simulators at NWA will actually past Part 60?

[schmeddz]

Best wishes to all the guys I know at both Delta and NWA. Wait, best wishes to those who I've been friends with! The rest of you who were unfriendlybootyshak... You know who you are. If not,,, Damn, do I feel sorry for you!

[mbushaw]

Here's something to think about with Part 60 taking effect on the 31st of May. If I read Part 60 correctly you lose grandfather rights when you move a simulator after the 31st of May, so if Delta plans on moving the NWA simulators to Atlanta does that mean they will have to meet Part 60?s anybody believe the simulators at NWA will actually past Part 60?
I don't think the airlines and private operators would let the FAA get away with that. Way too much money involved for too little training payoff.

Unless there is a level upgrade (say Level B to Level C) during the move or the move takes over two years, the post-move inspection is treated as just another recurrent.

[Pioneer]

I don't think the airlines and private operators would let the FAA get away with that. Way too much money involved for too little training payoff.

Unless there is a level upgrade (say Level B to Level C) during the move or the move takes over two years, the post-move inspection is treated as just another recurrent.

§ 60.27 Automatic loss of qualification and procedures for restoration of qualification.
(a) An FSTD qualification is automatically lost when any of the following
occurs:
(1) The FSTD is not used in the sponsor’s FAA-approved flight training program in accordance with § 60.7(b)(5) or (b)(6) and the sponsor does not obtain and maintain the written statement as described in § 60.7(d)(2).
(2) The FSTD is not inspected in accordance with § 60.19.
(3) The FSTD is physically moved from one location and installed in a
different location, regardless of distance.
(4) The MQTG is missing or otherwise not available and a replacement is not
made within 30 days.
(b) If FSTD qualification is lost under paragraph (a) of this section,
qualification is restored when either of the following provisions is met:
(1) The FSTD successfully passes an evaluation:
(i) For initial qualification, in accordance with §§ 60.15 and 60.17(c) in
those circumstances where the NSPM has determined that a full evaluation
for initial qualification is necessary; or
(ii) For those elements of an evaluation for initial qualification, in accordance
with §§ 60.15 and 60.17(c), as determined to be necessary by the NSPM.
(2) The NSPM advises the sponsor that an evaluation is not necessary.
(c) In making the determinations described in paragraph (b) of this section,
the NSPM considers factors including the number of continuing qualification
evaluations missed, the number of sponsor-conducted quarterly inspections
missed, and the care that had been taken of the device since the last
evaluation.

[The Pirate]

moral of the story, don't move 'em, replace 'em!!!:sheep1::sheep1::sheep1::sheep1:

[JerryD]

Are you guys still doing shift/building rotation in ATL? Gee, how would that work? ...

OC1 - days
OC2 - mids
OC3 - swings
GTR - days
Minneapolis -mids... (at least Greenbriar is out)

... that right there would really suck.

Hope all goes well for you guys in both shops. After going through re-engineering at DAL, I kinda lost my stomach for airline work but I really did enjoy the job.


Good Luck guys,

~Jerry

[dalsimtech]

I've been here almost twenty years and I've never heard of such a thing as a shift schedule like that. Where do you get your information, Jerry?

screwy:

[JerryD]

I've been here almost twenty years and I've never heard of such a thing as a shift schedule like that. Where do you get your information, Jerry?

screwy:

From when I worked there in the 90's. Most everyone bid on shifts and buildings. However, when I hired in (Fall of '91), I was part of a half-dozen or so new-hires that got locked in to GTR for a year or so (along with Bill M., Kip R., etc.) and worked with Randy W. and Kevin D. among others - Mac was the lead. I do remember some with seniority being ticked because they saw GTR as pretty cushy. I don't know if it was Ralph's idea or what, but that's what we did. Later, I actually had to rotate between OC1 and Greenbriar and if memory serves, I was on days because I remember seeing Bill and Ralph around, and I was at Greenbriar (with Dave W.) either during swings or mids. That place was so dead by then it was hard to tell! :biggrin: I don't remember if GTR was in the mix then or not at that point -- and remember this was a few years ago -- but then I eventually ended up on swings in OC2 working on the -88's and the new -90 until I left in late December of '94. I don't believe many people did this, either, and it may have only been because of me being locked to GTR for that time, but there it is.

I was also being a bit factitious about a nightmare scenario. wink:

Hope there's a chair for everyone when the music stops...

Jerry

[dalsimtech]

Are you guys still doing shift/building rotation in ATL? Gee, how would that work? ...

OC1 - days
OC2 - mids
OC3 - swings
GTR - days
Minneapolis -mids... (at least Greenbriar is out)

~JerryWell, what you are saying now doesn't look like the above quote. Two of us read this and it sounds like you are saying that EVERYONE in a particular building worked a single shift. I still don't get that. See the above quote box. "OC1 -days?" Every building had every shift in it.

At any rate, Greenbriar has long since been gone. We bid differently now, and the buildings can even "borrow" from each other, unlike back then. A lot has changed, except the fact that nobody but 70-year olds can get the two day shifts with weekends off. In some respects, shifts are better, but in some respects it is worse. Five-twos on day shift, in my opinion, isn't good.

[JerryD]

Well, what you are saying now doesn't look like the above quote. Two of us read this and it sounds like you are saying that EVERYONE in a particular building worked a single shift. I still don't get that. See the above quote box. "OC1 -days?" Every building had every shift in it.

At any rate, Greenbriar has long since been gone. We bid differently now, and the buildings can even "borrow" from each other, unlike back then. A lot has changed, except the fact that nobody but 70-year olds can get the two day shifts with weekends off. In some respects, shifts are better, but in some respects it is worse. Five-twos on day shift, in my opinion, isn't good.
Gotcha - I meant that schedule to reflect what an individual tech would have as their rotation. Make any more sense? Besides, I was exaggerating a worst case scenario...

When I had rotating days on swings it wasn't bad. Rotating shifts did suck. Days - always boring. The worst thing that I saw in the bid process was trying to get in to areas that had the new sims... not because they didn't break or because you weren't mopping up gallons of hydraulic fluid (hyperbole... more or less), but because the new sims had all the new tech that was interesting to learn.

[andy]

Don't you guys have the option for ten hour shifts at Atlanta (4 days on, 3 days off... always includes a weekend day)?

Most people like those hours, but I always choose the five eight hour shift option.

[dalsimtech]

There are now NO rotating shift schedules whatsoever. You choose your shift and building, and that is it. It used to be that you always had the option to choose "rotating/rotating," meaning rotating shifts AND rotating days off. That is gone. There is a 6-3 shift on swings only, giving them rotating days, but not shifts.

As for the ten hour shift, you have it partially right, Andy. There are ten hour shifts that have no weekend days off. Those go to the lower seniority guys, obviously. Also, we no longer have purely 4-3 ten hour shifts, but rather one week is ten hours, while the next is a 5-2 eight hour shift. In lieu of that, you can choose to work 9 hour shifts every week (one day being 8 to make the math work).

help: sleep: scratchch whoa: :confuseds huh4: wtf: Yeah, I know...wow!

[dalsimtech]

Oh yeah, Jerry, we now bid for a combo of two buildings. We either bid for OC1 & OC2 jointly, or Ground Training and OC-3 jointly. The supervisors cover one of the two building combinations. I bid the OC1/OC2 combo, for example.

Back when you were here, we probably had leads, too. Leads always got overtime pay and shift differential, like technicians, and were supposed to work on equipment like a technician, only with powers to run the shift. Now they are supervisors with no overtime, no shift differential, and they are not counted in the technician manning levels. They are more true salary now and considered the first level of management.

faintt:

[markovol]

sounds simple to me.............headscrat

[Textech]

Gotta love that "first level of management". All the responsibility, and no authority.

[JerryD]

Yeah, those shift schedules got pretty funky. It wasn't too bad once you got used to 'em, but I preferred the fixed days off. IIRC, the shift was the same length but the number of days you worked varied until one week you got 4 days off in a row... not bad when load factors were low for non-revs, but it got to be a joke to go somewhere unless you had seniority or spare time. I almost came back in '97(?), I think OC-3 just opened or nearly so. I backed out on Rick a few days before I was to start and I think he's still ticked at me. :D

Anyway, back on topic... did anyone hear the latest wrinkle? from http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2008/04/21/daily23.html it appears that moving the HQ of NW would incur the wrath of lawyers from the Metropolitan Airports Commission in MN. to the tune of $245 Million dollars.

Oooh, another tidbit: Delta CEO says fewer than 1000 layoffs from merger (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200804241231DOWJONESDJONLINE001070_FORTUNE5.htm)"When you merge two companies, there are unfortunately redundancies you will have to deal with over time. We will do that in a gracious way," Anderson said."
Yeah, that sounds encouraging.

[cavok33]

I've been here almost twenty years and I've never heard of such a thing as a shift schedule like that. Where do you get your information, Jerry?

screwy:


That's what happens when you surf while all liquored up, ask don.

[Luke]

Best wishes to all the guys I know at both Delta and NWA. Wait, best wishes to those who I've been friends with! The rest of you who were unfriendlybootyshak... You know who you are. If not,,, Damn, do I feel sorry for you!

Too funny ....... I can relate to this statement ...lol...lol...lol...
nutkick:

[cavok33]

Yeah, those shift schedules got pretty funky. It wasn't too bad once you got used to 'em, but I preferred the fixed days off. IIRC, the shift was the same length but the number of days you worked varied until one week you got 4 days off in a row... not bad when load factors were low for non-revs, but it got to be a joke to go somewhere unless you had seniority or spare time. I almost came back in '97(?), I think OC-3 just opened or nearly so. I backed out on Rick a few days before I was to start and I think he's still ticked at me. :D

Anyway, back on topic... did anyone hear the latest wrinkle? from http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2008/04/21/daily23.html it appears that moving the HQ of NW would incur the wrath of lawyers from the Metropolitan Airports Commission in MN. to the tune of $245 Million dollars.



Oooh, another tidbit: Delta CEO says fewer than 1000 layoffs from merger (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200804241231DOWJONESDJONLINE001070_FORTUNE5.htm)"When you merge two companies, there are unfortunately redundancies you will have to deal with over time. We will do that in a gracious way," Anderson said."Yeah, that sounds encouraging.

Well you have to understand corporate speak, they will lay off less than 1000 and state the merger as the cause, an additional 9000 layoffs will be under the "restructure" strategy, and the final 5000 layoffs will be
"re-restructuring" to appease the creditors during the bankruptcy hearings.

Did I say lay-offs, sorry, furlows .....

I've worked for both NWA and DAL and enjoyed working with my associates at both, but I don't miss the constant feeling that at any moment the carpet was coming out from under us.

[techstorage]

I was in DC yesterday to hear the B.S. from the two CEOs. They talked about voluntary loss of jobs and that synergy gain. (End to End) The two Head Quarters should see up to 1000 losses, I expect most of them will be in Minnesota. For the workers at the airports they kept saying the “front line worker” will not be affected. BUT when pressured for an answer on where the savings will be: Airports - where NWA has 2 concourses and DELTA has one, the new DELTA can do all the flights with only two - not all three. I told the DELTA employee standing next to me in the hearings that sounds like job losses for the front line to me. Then I gave them a union card. It showed them where all the airports Delta already outsources their work.

Don’t be fooled, the CEOs have their contracts guaranteeing them benefits and huge bonuses but they do not want any employee to have their own guarantee.

There were too many Senator talking about the “meetings we had in my office” and “sounds like a good match up for my state”. This is already a done deal. There may be a few scraps under the table for us employees but they will make us work all summer to try and get any of the scraps from them before this deal is rubber stamped by this administration

[techstorage]

On the simulator side of the equation, they talked about the fact that Delta doesn’t have any wide bodies that can carry over 300. NWA has 16 747-400 and the new Delta can fly them on their overseas routes for a quick increase in revenue from that route.

Makes me wonder if NWA pilots will still train in NWA simulators for these Delta routes. We all need a contract. deal:

[dalsimtech]

You guys at NWA might not have heard this, or been offered this, but at Delta they have offered voluntary packages to get people to leave. Although they announced these packages a bit prior to the merger announcement, they had to have known it was coming. These numbers will not count as losses to them since they are voluntary. Also, they said that everyone who applies will be allowed to take it with no regard to manning.

My thought is that if they lose too many in any area, they can move people around from areas that didn't lose enough and retrain if necessary. Should someone leave when that happens, possibly because the new position pays less, they won't count either since, after all, they were offered a job. Then again, maybe they will fill from transfers from NWA. Then when all positions at Delta have shook out, they'll do the same thing at NWA. Perhaps they won't need to if the combination doesn't necessitate decreasing staffing in a particular station or work area.

Techstorage, you say you were in Washington listening to them talk. Did anyone ask them, or did they say, whether they were considering people leaving as a loss of a job? Was anyone differentiating between voluntary and involuntary departures?

[reprob8]

One the simulator side of the equation, they talked about the fact that Delta doesn’t have any wide bodies that can carry over 300. NWA has 16 747-400 and the new Delta can fly them on their overseas routes for a quick increase in revenue from that route.

Makes me wonder if NWA pilots will still train in NWA simulators for these Delta routes. We all need a contract. deal:

Delta has 777's in fleet...Not exactly what one would call a narrow-body jet.

What increase in revenue? Both airlines are getting hammered big time by the rise in fuel prices.

[Doctor Clutch]

One of the gems of Northwest has always been the Asian market, particularly the slots into Japan. If I remember the story correctly, those slots were given to Northwest at the end of WWII and it’s an agreement the Japanese have seen as quite lopsided. If Northwest were the surviving entity the Japanese would have to continue to honor the agreement. Do you think they will still have to honor the agreement if Delta is the surviving entity?

Don’t look for the assholes that are running this monkey and football fest to have all the bases covered or the various government’s agencies (MN MAC or Japanese FAA) to go along with it. Case in point is the Northwest MAC loan that Dalsimtech mentioned.

[techstorage]

... Techstorage, you say you were in Washington listening to them talk. Did anyone ask them, or did they say, whether they were considering people leaving as a loss of a job? Was anyone differentiating between voluntary and involuntary departures?

Yes, that was the main distinction as you stated. They were hit by the politicians as to the non-voluntary number for the HQ and paid no attention to the voluntary numbers. Over three thousand losses of job have been mentioned up front. Who know what the total number will be.

Side note, I met the Pres of AMFA (Dist MSP and DTW) while in DC. The layoff for the NWA mechanics time limit is this August. Then if any of them are offered a job after the merger they start off as a year one employee. He is trying to get a year extension tacked on to the OK from the Gov. There are a few thousand mechanics affected by this.

[schmeddz]

I'm still wondering why I have to pay more than $700 dollars for a ticket to go from MEM to MSP on any flight for NWA which has a hub in both cities. Then I have to drive to MEM from Jackson MS to get it. I flew out of Jackson for $300 on AA for Christmas to see the folks. But hey, This is all no brainer stuff. dunce: All my milage is with AA.
My friends at NWA are mostly out/retired/whatever. Fortunately for them. When I went to Atlanta to work, I had a respected NWA mech friend say, "Yes, you will make a lot of money working for an airline, but you WON'T like it!" This was pre-911. All salaries kept dropping as all of you know. I thank (fill in your own belief system here) that I got the heck out of delta 8 years ago. Everyone there was unhappy. If they weren't, they were dain bramaged. All they could do was count days/weeks/months/years until retirement. All the while complaining about the job. Evidently I AM Acheeky4: LEGEND there. Go ahead and talk about me, see if I care!
Nope, don't.
Happy Jackson! .......in.... Ha-ha-haaaa! Birdman! Get in here!

[techstorage]

You guys at NWA might not have heard this, or been offered this, but at Delta they have offered voluntary packages to get people to leave. ...


NWA announced 450 packages to the flight attendants Friday. You have to have 8 years with the company to be eligible to sign up for the package.

Rumor mill has letters already sent to some NWA exec's with stock packages letting them know they don't have a job with the new Delta.

[dalsimtech]

In order to pare the workforce down voluntarily, they are at least giving packages a try. I don't think there will be too many involuntary cuts.

[techstorage]

And they save on all those costs for unemployment insurance plus no state reeducation benefits the people the don’t go voluntarily will get.

Wait a minute, I’m not a democrat, what am I thinking!