Why Was Comair Not Sold?

[dojetdriver]

First to demand livable regional wages.....

I wouldn't say the first to "demand" livable regional wages. AWAC and ACA got them though normal CBA negotiations/demand before COMAIR's strike.

COMAIR just had to resort to different means to attain it.

Bear in mind, "livable regional wages" is a bit of an oxymoron. For a CA, not so much. But even the best pre 9/11 FO rates were a tad crappy overall.

 

[buscap]

Real nice, dancing on undug graves.

Their strike did change the industry mostly for the better. It was a bar raiser. The positive effects would've manifested themselves much better if it weren't for the post 911 industry downturn.

Many of the things the Comair pilots did post strike is what earned them the wrath of just about everyone who is now grave dancing, but I believe they have been rogered quite enough.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

No good deed left unpunished in this industry.

 

[CheapFlyer]

have published a minimum standard by which contracts would be judged. Those below this standard would not be allowed ALPA benefits, which I would have included the jumpseat.

I think you may be on to something here. By no means do I think a jumpseat "war" should be initiated, but if this rule was ALPA policy I think the industry might be a little different. Although, a flaw in this theory is who actually owns the jumpseat. The company paid for the jumpseat but the captain does have final discretion. Interesting idea.

-CF

 

[Dumbluck]

The only way to get past this is a national union. Alpa is is obsolete, I don't think it was ever relavent

 

[N813CA]

Talked to compass and Mesaba pilots today and their flow through are gone in 60 days so flow through had nothing to do with it... Just like Midatlantic with USairways.

 

[Bugsmasher Plus]

Talked to compass and Mesaba pilots today and their flow through are gone in 60 days so flow through had nothing to do with it... Just like Midatlantic with USairways.

Not true... the agreement is to hash out something over the next 60. The flow through is not settled yet.

 

[cmrflyer]

Many of the things the Comair pilots did post strike is what earned them the wrath of just about everyone who is now grave dancing, but I believe they have been rogered quite enough.

Do tell, what was that?

 

[N813CA]

flow through is gone in 60 days. Just like Midatlantic when sold to Republic from USAirways

 

[buscap]

Do tell, what was that?

Well, let's see...

RJDC.

Way too much non-staple mainline merger talk.

Refusing to hire mainline furloughs.

First in DCI to take concessions for planes.

I didn't say I was peeved at them, but others still are.

 

[Snaab]

Bugsmasher- that is the COOLEST avatar. Long live the Saab!

The bottom line is that the mainline carriers want LOW COSTS, even if that means someday possibly dumping a known quantity such as Comair who, incidentally, has set numerous high standards in the regional industry (I completely applaud them for that). But, there is no sentiment in business. If airline XYZ can fly CRJ-200s, -700s, and -900s for less than the next guy, they're positioned to gain more flying. It's that simple. Mainline doesn't give a jee whiz about what they're wages are, about how high turnover is, etc. Fly bigger and bigger planes with our paint and logo on it, do it forever more cheaply, and don't screw up. Nevermind that we'll never REALLY have a vested interest in you or your people. Good luck and good day. Did we mention that we can find someone else who'll do it for less in five seconds?

That's how upside down this is right now. I wish there was a simple fix to 'righting' this problem. Sucks Comair is in the position they're in after striking for so much good years ago.

Good luck to everyone!


-Snaab

 

[rumrunner300]

. . . Either you are not making sense or you just described the regional industry perfectly.

Taaaa Daaaaa!!

. . . . . . . . .. . .

There is an upheaval on the way, and EVERYONE is vulnerable. So dance if you will, but remember that the grave on which you currently dance may soon be your own.

 

[N813CA]

So you think the % of the profit that Delta gets from the contract carriers. What is it like %20 is more than what the wholly owned is making?

 

[WayBack]

Comair was not sold because Delta is going to release an announcement about merging Comair with mainline.

 

[B727FA]

Yep, JC.. the strike was worth it..

That wasn't JC who caused the last 9 years...that was the sale and the systematic destruction of CVG and OH and 3rd rate mgt.