ACA's Contingency Plan (Per Tom Moore)

[CRJ_Driver]

For those of you who have heard it...and now for those of you who haven't. Tom Moore, president of ACAI stated that ACA has been rejecting UAL offers because the offer as a whole is not in the best interest of ACAI employees or shareholders.

He also went on to say that ACA's contingency plan is better than UAL's offers!

I think ACA is holding out forcing UAL to accept a specific clause in the contract thereby allowing ACA to pull whatever it is out of their sleeve.

Any thoughts?!

 

[46Driver]

What I heard (completely unsubstantiated) is that United wants a clause in the contract saying that they can completely replace us over a 2 year period if they so choose (i.e., spooling up another carrier to take our spot). Tom and Kerry refuse to sign a contract with that in it. We are playing hardball with United because they are in bankruptcy and must have a solid plan to present to the judge. Just the rumor that I heard...

 

[CRJ_Driver]

That is not a rumor (UAL replacing us in 2 yrs..not acceptable to ACA). Tom Moore said that himself on the hotline about 2 wks ago.

 

[46Driver]

CRJ,
Thanks for the info. Since that is the case, I am glad Tom and Kerry haven't signed anything with UAL. I think I can see tumbleweeds blowing across IAD and hear the theme music from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly."

 

[KingAirKiddo]

CRJ,
I think I can see tumbleweeds blowing across IAD and hear the theme music from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly."

Well, if Mesa replaces us you will certainly see "the bad" and "the ugly", but I'm not so sure about "the good".

 

[Tim47SIP]

Contingency Plan?

What could that plan possibly be. If ACA does not get the United deal, all of those routes it previously flew before will be gone. United owns the routes and slots. Yes I know ASA owns their own gates in some citys, but they just cant come up with a competing route structure over night. Maybe they have another customer up their sleve. Who knows. Maybe United is calling their bluff as well. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this. I am not sure that there is anyone else in the industry poised to take over that many routes.

 

[46Driver]

Tim,
This is just a guess but what I am thinking is that United has to submit a plan to the judge on restructuring. ACA knows that United needs us in the short term (no one could possibly step in overnight and fill our route structure - it would probably take a 2 year ramp up). Therefore, ACA is forcing United to sign us to a long term plan or immediately do without us betting that the judge will tell United to go with us.
If anybody out there has any better info, please speak up!

 

[Tim47SIP]

46 Driver

At least there is someone out there with the same backgroung as myself on these boards. I also think I live fairly close to you but that would be a PM issue.
Anyway, I fully agree with your outlook on the subject. But my real question is that I dont think ACA's real contigency plan is to just out bluff United. I am interested in their contingency plan if they dont get the United deal. What do you think that could be??

Between you and me, I think United will give you guys the long term contract because dropping you guys would greatly exacerbate their monitary problems.

Anyway good luck to you guys! Tim.

 

[46Driver]

Tim,
I've got a lot of friends over at ASA - had one a few months ago make the jump from ACA to ASA - turned out to be quite timely....

We did buy back the ACJet operating certificate from Delta for $1M so we are probably looking at someone else. If I had to place a bet on the roulette wheel of possible airlines - I would go with AirTran - but once again that is absolutely nothing more than a guess. The reasons are: they already have Air Whiskey for a feeder, they need room to expand but can't do in Atlanta, they have a mini hub in Baltimore (conveniently close to our hub in Dulles) and they fly into Midway (conveniently close to our hub at O'Hare). Once again, pure speculation - probably Ty Webb and some of the AirTran bubbas will rule out my guess within 24 hours.

Gotta get back to the books, I'm knee deep in grad school as well as a lot of helo flying here at the base. Are you doing any flying on AD or stuck with staff work?

 

[C-5 MEM]

I just got a call from a Capt who stated that while over at Shaw Rd there was the CEO of Virgin Atlantic there with Skeen. Anyone here anything about that?

 

[46Driver]

Its no secret that Richard Branson wants to start a LCC in the states but there are problems with foreign ownership of a U.S. airline (I'll let somebody else fill in all of the legal details). If he is involved, I would venture to say that is good news. I'll happily take Branson and Virgin over United - who knows, maybe he will extend travel benefits to the whole company and not just one side.

 

[iflyhigh]

Ok All:

While I don't want any pilot out of a job, I do think United has a right to ask ACA for lower wages. If you look at the current statistics ACA is NO. 1 in cancellation of flight by DOT standards. Not good.

If I were negiotiating a contract I would be looking at the stats and using them to negiotiate.

I know its not the pilots fault that flights cancel.

 

[MarriedToIt]

Casual reading...

Articles on Branson's plans:

http://www.travelbiz.com.au/articles/e3/0c0153e3.asp

http://www.ncpa.org/pd/regulat/regjun98d.html

Read the second half of:

http://www.nydailynews.com/business/story/76387p-70557c.html

 

[46Driver]

Thanks for the links. Interesting reading!

 

[stillaboo]

Branson

Jonathan Orenstein is on very good terms with Branson (he was involved with Virgin before and showed very good results). Not that Branson couldn't deal with ACA, but I'd be really surprised if Branson made any moves in the US without Orenstein's knowledge (and likely involvement).

Interesting situation all around.

Good luck ACA guys, whatever the situation really is.

-Boo!

 

[the turtle]

Branson won't have a unionized shop. He detests them.

 

[C-5 MEM]

I detest flying with people who complain all the time to, but that does not mean that I will not fly with them. Same thing goes with Virgin Atlantic.
Something I always wanted to know how many people in here are really 121 pilots. Some seem to be want a be pilots.

 

[House_X]

141,

It's a fact. Branson is a genious and yes: flying an airplane with "Virgin" painted on the side "is the stuff dreams are made of"....but when the alarm clock sounds and you have the 4:45 am Toledo showtime you begin to remember that Branson hates Unions. Virgin Blue is non-union...he won't have anything to do with Unions. I still repect the man...but I seriously doubt I (or we)will ever fly a candy apple red and white airplane.

This sucks. I really don't see any contingency plans being implemented without the 41's going away. If they go away...500 will automatically get furloughed. That goes deep in the F/O senority list. Even IF United signs a contract there's still a good chance they will want the 41's gone yesterday.

I would lift up the switch guard and keep your finger on the "emergency back-up career plan button"....

House

 

[MONKEY]

BOEING ORDERS

UNNAMED BUYERS

 

[Frank Abagnale]

Re: BOEING ORDERS

UNNAMED BUYERS

dream on