Airtran Big Annoucement?

[Anonymous2]

The other thread was dead, so I figured I may as well repeat my post here.


These regional airlines have absolutely nowhere else to go (or grow), aside from the business they have now. No more money to make and a whole lot of small regional jets to spare. SkyWest and other regional carriers are on the prowl for business, and it may be at any cost. Its not up to the regionals, its up to each and everyone of you mainliners to protect yourselves now. Stop barking at regional pilots to set "industry leading contracts" and talk to your peers and or unions and make some plans now (or do whatever you possibly can). In my opinion, the key is to get on some common ground with your management asap. Both regional and your own mainline management won't be "waiting for your input" when expansion/growth decisions are made. Making an effort now, will dictate whether mainline grows, or the regional affiliate grows. You may not be able to change the past, but at least do whatever you can to dictate your future(s).

Anyone agree with my point of view on this?

 

[PCL_128]

Still think a SWA merger would be a 'bad' thing?

Without a doubt.

 

[dicko]

Without a doubt.

SWA would suck for you wouldn't it PCL ? ..... No ALPA National for you. You'd have to fly an airplane instead of suckling off the teat of big John.

 

[dh82dvr]

I would take a SWA merger over the slow erosion of my job to outsourcing.

 

[Cobraair75drvr]

Lear & ATLboeing,

Keep drinking heavily. Do no worry about cost, AA is free:beer:

 

[gt1900]

Any one but me think that this "might" just be a brilliant play by managment to get guys so worked up over scope, that they forget about pay, schedule, retirement etc??? Ive talked to several guys who keep saying scope is the most important thing, and they are right. But lets not forget the big picture. We need scope, pay, schedules, everything. Hopefully guys won't forget that. I find it especially interesting that the company has said several times that crj-200's don't work, but here we are. Only 5 planes, in Sky West colors, to destinations that already exist (except 2). This might just be AAI's biggest bluff yet. Don't forget the big picture.....

 

[Colonel Savage]

"You may not be able to change the past, but at least do whatever you can to dictate your future(s)."

Sounds like a zen moment.

 

[MINIME]

More importantly, this could be management testing your negotiating resolve. Maybe they want you to ask to be released since you guys seem hundreds of miles away from doing it. S. Kolsky must be getting bored again.

Personally, I thought you guys would've petitioned the NMB to be released or have a TA by now. From the way it looks, neither are close. As we know all too well, those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it.

While this move may not seem like a threat to some, it most certainly has the potential to become Midwest part 2 or something along the lines of Gojet. For those that still think that their beloved company would never do that to them, I've got some prime waterfront property for sale along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border! You interested??

Wake up boys, or wake your union leaders. This is more of a test to your resolve than a profitable venture. Nothing against the Skywest pilots, but this could be step one of many more, more daring steps this management could be getting ready for. These things usually start very subtle or with rosy promises of a big carrot.

You should now have a more friendly NMB, use it. Use it before you're left wondering what the hell just hit you. I'd assume that many Midwest pilots would probably have similar advice.

 

[Anonymous2]

More importantly, this could be management testing your negotiating resolve. Maybe they want you to ask to be released since you guys seem hundreds of miles away from doing it. S. Kolsky must be getting bored again.

Personally, I thought you guys would've petitioned the NMB to be released or have a TA by now. From the way it looks, neither are close. As we know all too well, those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it.

While this move may not seem like a threat to some, it most certainly has the potential to become Midwest part 2 or something along the lines of Gojet. For those that still think that their beloved company would never do that to them, I've got some prime waterfront property for sale along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border! You interested??

Wake up boys, or wake your union leaders. This is more of a test to your resolve than a profitable venture. Nothing against the Skywest pilots, but this could be step one of many more, more daring steps this management could be getting ready for. These things usually start very subtle or with rosy promises of a big carrot.

You should now have a more friendly NMB, use it. Use it before you're left wondering what the hell just hit you. I'd assume that many Midwest pilots would probably have similar advice.

I second this post. Pretty similar to what I said. Now will always be better than never.

 

[RedRum]

Any one but me think that this "might" just be a brilliant play by managment to get guys so worked up over scope, that they forget about pay, schedule, retirement etc??? Ive talked to several guys who keep saying scope is the most important thing, and they are right. But lets not forget the big picture. We need scope, pay, schedules, everything. Hopefully guys won't forget that. I find it especially interesting that the company has said several times that crj-200's don't work, but here we are. Only 5 planes, in Sky West colors, to destinations that already exist (except 2). This might just be AAI's biggest bluff yet. Don't forget the big picture.....

I agreed with you right up to the point that you said this deal "might" be a brilliant play by management. It IS a brilliant play by management and they have ALREADY done it. The ink has already dried on the contract with Skywest.

The question is, what are the AAI pilots going to do about it?

I agree with these latter posts that you may need to ask some Midwest pilots about this sort of thing. It really is shameful that this sort of thing is happening across the board. Hope it doesn't continue but until we collectively put a stop to it, it will continue.

When I was at the regionals, the majors was a goal I set. I can't help but think with all this regional creep going on that many regional pilots have totally given up on their goal of becoming a pilot with the majors.

Hence the problem we have with ALPA right now. There is a major conflict of interest. How can I be subsidizing the agenda of a regional pilot while trying to bolster mine? They are counter-intuitive and this arrangement will never work. Our goals are too disparate when you look at the scope issue.