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Latest HL 375 published Nov 27, 2025. Not all sections of Blog are on first page. Click OLDER POSTS to view additional newsletter sections. For PDF version and all archived list CLICK HERE. Look for next issue soon!

Airlines news

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Misc - HL 216 (11)



Regarding Delta Hiring:

From: Tom Gantt
Date: 9/18/2014 6:58:59 PM
Subject: DAL Requirements...................
Mark, I was trying to locate the PCN that you published an number of months back that stated the full requirements that DAL was looking for in their qualified Pilot applicants.  Could you help me with this?
Thanks,
Tom Gantt   

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Date: 9/20/2014 9:49:13 AM
Subject: pilot recommendation email
Hello Mark,
Several months ago you had an article concerning recommendations for potential pilots that would like to be considered for hire by Delta.  I retired in 2004 and my son is now interested in flying for Delta.  Would you please send me the link as I would like to write a letter of recommendation for him.  It is my understanding that Delta has a specific email address for insiders to request consideration of an application.  Thanks so much.
Jeff Johnson
767 Captain

Editor:  Guys,  HL Issue 208 had some important info on this subject.  Please click on the following link: 
An April 3, 2013 Hiring Brief
 
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Date: 9/17/2014 3:38:10 AM
Subject: When Someone Passes away?

Mark,
When someone in the Delta family passes away, is there some checklist that a family member can go through on who to contact, how to get life insurance, notify PBGC, notify Delta, etc? I looked on Carol Faulkner’s blog but couldn’t find anything. 
A friend passed away in August, and his daughter is having trouble finding what to do. For instance, she called Delta about life insurance, Delta told her to call MetLife, MetLife told her to call Delta. etc. She is getting the run around. Shouldn’t happen when folks are grieving.
Could all the things a person needs to do be put in one place on your website? Maybe it is but I couldn’t find it.
Chuck Roedema
Denton, TX
MD11 Intl Capt (Ret 2002)

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Subject: Re: When Someone Passes away? Query 2
The website doesn’t make it clear. Is the $10,000 life insurance policy in addition to the $30,000 life insurance we pay premiums on every month?

Chuck

Editor:  Chuck, thanks for asking.  Yes, I have put together a pretty extensive compilation of info for Survivor’s of a lost spouse or loved one.  Obviously, the Delta Employee Service Center and ALPA should be notified about a lost pilot or spouse.  Please click on this link that has been published on the PCN website for years and can be a helpful source of “what to do and who to call” info:  http://pcn.homestead.com/DLSurv.html   The button for this Survivor’s Page is on the home page of the PCN website at:  http://pcn.homestead.com/home01.html

Chuck regarding your second question about the $10.000 life insurance on every pilot; that policy is the original $50,000 that Delta had on every active pilot that “steps down” after retirement to the forever minimum of $10,000. Regarding the $30,000 policy you are referring to, I have a feeling that you are talking about a personal paid for benefit.   I would have to have more info about that to steer you right.   

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More regarding the PCN effort and High Life content:

Date: 9/8/2014 9:17:30 AM
Subject: Latest issue
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Mark,  I have not written you before, hoping the issues would get better.  This latest though, HL-215,  is totally useless and devoid of any interest to me.  I know it must take time and effort to do what you do,  but I am very disappointed.  Please take me off your mailing list.  Thank you for your time.  John Strong     jstrong21@cfl.rr.com
Editor: As per John’s wishes he has been unsubscribed, but as with all subscribers will be welcomed back freely if he changes his mind.
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Date: 9/8/2014 2:12:36 PM
Subject: Keep up the good work

Mark,
I was disappointed by Pat McGirl's email to you. He has directed his anger at the wrong guy.
I appreciate your efforts to keep the retired pilots informed on all the events regarding Delta, our common bond. He didn't mention ALPA, who did not represent the retired pilots involved in our calamity during Delta's bankruptcy,thankfully we had DP3.
 We all lived through this slow motion disaster and are dealing with the aftermath as best as we can. 
Please continue to keep the faith with your retired Delta pilots and their families, we all appreciate your efforts.
Thanks,
Semper Fidelis
Tom Kanaley    tomk4648@gmail.com
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Date: 9/15/2014 5:18:07 PM
Subject: PCN support

Mark,
I want you to know that I think Pat McGirl was out of line with his criticism of last week about the PCN. It's unfortunate that so many of our fellow retirees are struggling with reduced pensions, but that's no reason to take it out on you and your editing of the PCN. Maybe he'd like to take over and see if he can do a better job.
I support you and your handling of the PCN and am glad that you're willing to do it.

++++
From: Bill
Date: 9/8/2014 12:54:18 PM
Subject: Comments... in response

Hi Mark...
 When I read the vindictive comments by some of the guys who lost their retirement and pensions posted in the net newsletter, I stepped back to see if I could make sense of what was said and why.  This is my observation.
First, we know the airline business is a cut-throat industry.  Mergers, poor management, thieves and stupid union decisions have left many dents and signs of death and destruction in the industry over the years.  Those of us who made it to age 60, with or without retirement pensions, will have to admit we worked in an industry that we respected, doing a job that we enjoyed, and for the most part, paid us far better than most.  Would those who throw stones at Delta prefer to go back and start over with Eastern, Trans Texas, Pan Am, TWA, or any of the other airlines that just vanished?
I have run my own company on the side since the 1980’s, and to still be working at age 77 sometimes leaves a little to be desired, but that is life under our current political debacle.  Life is a daily challenge, especially these days.  With that said, running any company, be it mine or one the size of Delta, should be a constant reminder that companies are there as a business.  They are not there to be an obligated support group for those who retire, pension or no pension.
ALPA represented us during the good and bad years.  Why didn’t the union insist that the pension fund be fully funded?  The fact that the money vanished was the fault of the union, not Delta.  Place the blame where it belongs.
Everything that was lost was negotiated by ALPA.  When the company was in a position to “spread the wealth” over the years, it seemed to me that they always did.  As a step-back observer, the blame for what happened to pensions and retired benefits should be placed on the doorstep of ALPA and not Delta.  Delta was our employer.  ALPA was our representative with that employer. 
 Airline pilots pay union dues their entire career.  If there is blame for what happened to a pension, place that blame with those who were supposed to represent you, and who washed their hands of your well being once you cashed that last pay check.  Trumka could pay our pensions with the money the AFL-CIO has taken over our career life.  They don’t and will not.  Little wonder unions represent only 11% of workers today.  ALPA is a money laundry for Trumka and AFL-CIO causes.
Delta Air Lines is a fantastic company, in business to serve the stock holders and the traveling public.  In this effort, they provided us with what I consider the best job in the world.  They paid you on time and their checks cashed.  I don’t blame Delta for what happened during the tough time.  Place the blame where it rightfully belongs, with ALPA and the AFL-CIO. 
I carry a pride reminder in my wallet every time I pull out my pass card, thanking GOD that I had a job with the best airline in America, Delta Air Lines, pension or no pension.  If you disagree, try riding a pass with your ALPA, AFL-CIO card.  That may make you see things differently.
Mark, keep up the good work with the communications news.  Know your efforts are appreciated.
 Sincerely,
  /s/ Bill Mauldin   bill@mauldin.net
757/767 Capt 030 ATL, Retired

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BILL KERSCHNER
Issue Area General
Comments - To the Honorable and Noble Mark Sztanyo
Mark, irrespective of what Delta management did to the pilot's retirement I appreciate all you do and the DP3 group have done for all of us.
To paraphrase Winston Churchill, Never have the Delta Pilot retirees owed so much to two persons, Dave Roberts and Mark Sztanyo and the DP3 group.
Bill Kerschner, retired 97-MD-11

Editor:  I have been called other names before but I don’t think ever noble………thanks, I’ll take that!

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Date: 9/9/2014 8:12:44 PM
Subject: letters

Mark,
      I have been frustrated for sometime after reading the "last" letter from a Delta VP on our pension program. The total lack of respect for what each of us over our career contributed to the current success of Delta Air Lines is so blatant that this is a combination of shocking and enraging at the same time. Hence Pat Mc Girl's intensely visceral response. I have known Pat since I was a new hire in MSY many moon's ago.  I believe his response is brief,direct,heart felt,accurate, and what I would expect from anyone who wore the same Navy Wings I did and landed on a ship. I believe I have flown FE for Larry Whitesell a long time ago and believe I have been introduced to Joe Fagundes? Gentleman, I am personally aware of many hours off the books that Mark spent in what some would think was a fundamentally naive effort to restore some of our lost pensions. I have mixed emotions about Delta news. Whenever I hear from someone about how much they like Delta or what a great airline Delta is I have to make a measured response that everything is relative. Delta may be the best around today as it was years ago but it is not the same airline I worked for. I believe Mark has the best of intentions and continues to try and satisfy the range of Delta retired pilots. I believe he had and has the best of intentions. No doubt the depth of material he is able to publish compared to 14 years ago reflects the fact that we are dying off and in a single generation I doubt there will be anyone left that remembers the "good ole days" or even gives a "shxt".

     I believe the term for current  management is management by  "legacy". Every generation of management digs up poor ole C.E. Woolman and talks folksy about the Delta values. The difference is today none of them ever met or worked with or for the man. When I was hired there were a few left working at Delta.  In fact the company most of current management  came from  had exactly the opposite relationship with their employees. We all know that NW had a reputation for decades of terrible labor relations. Perhaps something was learned in the process? Obviously current staff knows how to make money. However, no one can dispute they were handed a winning set of cards in the airline business. The fundamentals were solid and the base for success was intact. Very clear that the "good cop/bad cop" routine is alive and well. Also that the current BOD really does not care much either or about simple right and wrong. If it is  legal-Just Do It!

     I have been thru the bankruptcy process and may again be head there shortly. No doubt there are some legal mine fields about what amounts to re affirming debt in the corporate process. This does beg the question about why our pension program was terminated as it was and that of NW was not? I do not know enough about the similarities and differences in plans to understand the reason why. Could it be that ALPA has a finger in this? Again I have always been surprised to hear what the "real" story was after various contracts were negotiated. I have no doubt there is a "reason"  Why would we expect a management team that had no relationship with it's employees under one name to have a different  one with the employees it inherited? However, they seem to be doing a pretty good job of motivating the current group. Very sophisticated use of social media.  If current employees remember history they will not be surprised if and when old habits return? Perhaps a wolf in sheep's clothing? Could it be that the current Delta "family" has a dark secret similar to the old one? Behind closed doors they beat their kids! Some of us managed to survive running against the wind so to speak. While based in Miami many thought I was actually a "Yellow Bird" which I still take as a compliment. What I will say is I remember those who were professional regardless of where they came from. Perhaps similar to Marine boot camp where one is proud to have survived the abuse and come out stronger in the process. In the end I am proud to have survived and eventually do what I worked for all of my life. That included the one thing  we all trained for. Thankfully I did not screw it up! The cost if I had? At that time  the lost of ETOPS certification. How much was that worth in the big scheme of  things? Apparently nothing!

      Gentlemen I am first proud to be a Naval Aviator because that is where it all started. To follow this with being a part of a group that while it seems arrogant was the best in the airline business is a close second. We could make that claim because of the training standards that prior management believed in. Investments in state of the art equipment and the training required to operate this equipment were a major difference in making the Hub and Spoke concept really work. Personal effort was also paramount. If anyone doubted this all they had to do was watch pilots literally run between terminals before the days of wheels.The operational success of this is not as functional these days because the feed to ATL,etc is based on aircraft and crews that are not CAT III certified (feeder air lines). Delta continued to operate when for days weather in ATL never came up above CAT III minimums.  I have written about this previously reflecting on my one on one conversations with Dave Garrett. I had my differences with Mr. Garrett but I know he respected the pilots who worked for Delta.

     I watch not only what people say but what they do. Remember those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. Meaning those who are elected to ALPA positions are as important as any one in management. Is anyone listening?

     A parting comment. Our ranks continue to shrink it seems almost daily. Many of us will never see friends and associates again face to face. I have suffered personal loses of those I considered nearly as important as my own Dad and who when the chips were down stood up for me as well. That was another Richard at another time. I miss them as much as I miss my own family. In 15 years a great majority of us will be gone. No doubt this is part of the corporate plan! Will Karma eventually prevail? We can only hope so.

RC (Rick) Bauer  Capt767er@aol.com
Captain 767er Retired Sept 2003. 30 years+ !!!

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OUTBREAK!

Pilots demand right to refuse flights to West Africa

Move threatens to further isolate countries plagued by Ebola outbreak

Published: 09/10/2014 at 11:36 AM
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/09/pilots-demand-right-to-refuse-flights-to-west-africa/#938FFuzuaLLuHoHE.99
NEW YORK – Air France pilots have now joined flight attendants in demanding the right to refuse to fly to destinations in the West African countries affected by Ebola.
The move threatens to further isolate three nations most ravaged by the disease – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
According to Le Monde in Paris, François Hamant, a representative of the pilot’s union in France, filed an official government complaint Wednesday. It demands a commitment from Air France management that any pilot or flight attendant not wanting to fly to the Ebola-impacted West African nations can refuse to make the flight without suffering any adverse consequences, either financial or disciplinary.
Julien Duboz, spokesman for the Syndicat des Pilotes d’Air France, the French union of airline pilots, confirmed to Le Monde that while the union is aware of some Air France pilots who have refused to fly to West Africa, the defections are “rare.”
As WND reported, the World Health Organization warned Monday that Ebola is “expanding exponentially” in West Africa, with the problem so severe in Liberia that many thousands of new cases expected in country over the coming three weeks.
Last Friday, WHO reported in Geneva that one in 10 health-care workers treating Ebola patients in West Africa has become infected with the disease.
Nevertheless, WHO has repeatedly issued advisories contending airline pilots and crews are protected by rigorous screening to keep from flights any passenger showing symptoms of Ebola.
WHO maintains that while the incubation period for Ebola can be as long as 21 days, those infected with the disease who are not yet displaying symptoms represent no danger of transmitting it.
Duboz explained to Le Monde that Air France so far has not had a single incident of a member of the aircrew or a passenger becoming infected with Ebola, despite a continuation of regularly scheduled Air France flights to West African destinations.
Dr. Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general, has repeatedly insisted that disruptions in commercial air travel to West Africa will impede the efforts of international health organizations to contain and combat the disease.
“We must be careful not to characterize Ebola as ‘an African disease,’” Chan said in a teleconference Sept. 3.
She warned that the stigmatization of the disease with any racial classification would be detrimental to the U.N. effort to control it.
“This is an international issue, a global threat,” she continued. “We need to make sure Ebola patients and Ebola-affected countries aren’t stigmatized and isolated.”
 


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