ACA's Contingency Plan (Per Tom Moore)

[upndsky]

"Unamed buyer" is usually a leasing company like ILFC or GECAS who buys the planes and then immediately lease them out. They are either buying on speculation or have a customer who doesn't want to tip its hand. There's nothing to suggest that this order will go to ACA or Virgin America. In fact, those planes will probably be heading overseas.

 

[46Driver]

And I heard we were going to get the retired Concordes from Air France and BA - perfect for that Cinci - Dayton run!

 

[Mayday911]

The Concrode deal is out....at least as far as BA is concerned.

Mayday

 

[northeast]

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

What makes you think that an ACA / Branson (or anyone else) relationship will involve any unions? Our MEC has assured us that ACA is well within their rights to start another operation, with an outside investor, and not fall under our "Green Book". That is, as long as ACA does not supply over 50% of the investment income. There was additional scope language in the TA specifically allowing this sort of action on ACA's part. Any guesses as to why it was there? You don't put on a condom unless you're getting ready to f&%$

Put yourself in Tom Moore's shoes for a minute. Assuming you want to start a new operation, will you do it with the current pilot group under ALPA, or with a clean sheet?

Under ALPA he is required to follow our current seniority system, current contractual restrictions and, assuming larger aircraft, staff it with pilots who are on the 10-15 year longevity tier. None of this makes sense for a startup.

With a clean sheet, he is only bound by FAR's, can you say 16 hour duty days, 8 days off, draconian reserve rules, zero soft pay, etc? All pilots would be on the first year scale. He can get rid of any pilot at will. If the current pilot group will be 'rehired' into this new venture, it can be done selectively. Remember that 'list' of 'trouble makers' he keeps. You know, the one that caused a response from Duane Worth a few months ago? What about the 'Pilot Dependability Database'? That could be a very usefull tool in staffing a new venture.

I cannot think of one single reason to staff a new operation under our green book. Then again, I've been wrong in the past and will be wrong again in the future.

 

[WhiteCloud]

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.

So, if ACA gets paid per departure that's what happens.

 

[flap operator]

Maybe the contingency plan ACA has is with a certain red tailed airline. No, not Virgin.




FO

 

[vc10]

ACA flies 50-seat RJs. NWA is either at or close to its limit on 50-seat RJs (which is why most new Pinnacle CRJs are CRJ440s, with 44 seats).

For ACA to fly for NWA would require a change of some sort (either recertify the aircraft for only 44 seats or change NWA scope).

 

[46Driver]

Scope clauses are about as effective stopping RJ's as the Maginot line deterred the Germans - you can always go around. That being said, I haven't heard anything at all about Northwest.

 

[wackford]

yeah..........

it didn't stop the germans from bombing pearl harbor!

 

[KingAirKiddo]

Huh?

 

[flap operator]

The language in the NW scope clause has provisions of some sort regarding the modification of certified a/c. In other words, if the a/c was certified for 44 seats (the CRJ-440) they must remain that way. Conversely the 50 seaters as certified cannot be modified to 44 seaters to get around the scope limitations. PCL is taking delivery of a few 50 seaters among the 44 seaters. NW also has about 30 more deliveries beyond the 95 PCL is slated for, plus over 100 options. Who's to say ACA couldn't get a piece of that pie? NW is also trying to get relief from the NW pilots on scope issues, so more 50 seaters could be a possibility.

I think our inept mgmt may actually be right with regards to the fact that Mesaba isn't only competing against Pinnacle, but any other carrier that wants a piece of the NW business.


FO

 

[Snakum]

Rumor?

Regional types (Chatauqua and Air Whiskey) hanging out at GSO this week say that ACA will/might participate in an LLC venture with Virgin, to be based initially in IAD. Rumored to be a 49/51 ownership thing to get around current US regulations.

What did I miss?



Minh

 

[KingAirKiddo]

You didn't miss anything...there are all kinds of rumors flying around right now about what may or may not happen to us. I think the Virgin LCC is the one that most of us are hoping for, but who really knows for sure what will happen...crazy times.

 

[Sinca3]

yeah..........

it didn't stop the germans from bombing pearl harbor!

WHAT????

 

[Bluto]

Germans/Pearl Harbor

It's from a movie, jacka$$es. Get over it.

 

[TWA Dude]

Re: Germans/Pearl Harbor

It's from a movie, jacka$$es. Get over it.

It's a new generation. These kids just don't remember when movies that used four-letter words got an "R" rating (and "PG13" didn't exist!!)

 

[Sinca3]

Nice reply

Why the need for "Jacka$$es"? I just asked a question......Talk about get over it!!!
Gez

 

[acaTerry]

...And I might add that a picture of the genius who said it is in this thread....

 

[uncle]

7 years of college down the drain.

 

[AirBoard]

Rumor?

Regional types (Chatauqua and Air Whiskey) hanging out at GSO this week say that ACA will/might participate in an LLC venture with Virgin, to be based initially in IAD. Rumored to be a 49/51 ownership thing to get around current US regulations.

What did I miss?



Minh

I love rumors, so lets speculate on potential growth for current ACA employees with new LCC. I assume the TA would disappear assuming we also don't renew our UAX agreement - cause if we do, a start up would only = 36? jobs/yr. for ACA pilots...... If the TA is gone then a LCC could just mean Vacancy bids wide open to us. Anyone else.

Just being a mushroom for now.