Allegheny to be merged into Piedmont

[Smiliner]

US Airways Group, Inc. to Consolidate Piedmont And Allegheny Airline Operations
Wednesday January 14, 11:01 am ET
Airlines Inc., and Piedmont Airlines Inc., with a target effective date of March 31, 2004.
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As part of the transaction, Piedmont Airlines will operate the entire de Havilland Dash-8 fleet. Allegheny and Piedmont currently operate 82 Dash-8s, with 41 flown by Allegheny and 41 flown by Piedmont, but the Dash-8 fleet size will likely decrease as more regional jets are brought into the US Airways Express network.

"We have an ongoing review of every aspect of our business to find ways to operate more efficiently and compete more effectively, and the consolidation of these two carriers will optimize the assets of both companies," said Bruce Ashby, president of US Airways Express. "Turboprop aircraft will still have
ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways Group, Inc. announced today that it will consolidate the operations of two of its wholly owned subsidiaries, Allegheny a role in our network, but it is inefficient to have two wholly owned Dash-8 operators with duplicative overhead functions for a shrinking part of the company. We believe it provides the best outcome for our employees."

Members of the US Airways Express management are meeting today with representatives of the respective organized labor groups for Allegheny and Piedmont to share details of the proposed consolidation.

The preferred option is to merge Allegheny into Piedmont, allowing for the orderly transition of the Allegheny employees into Piedmont.

The other and less-preferred option would be a partial asset transfer to Piedmont, the liquidation of the remaining Allegheny assets, and the shutdown of the Allegheny operation. Ashby said this option can be avoided through the timely conclusion of labor agreements about representation and work rules.

"Our focus is going to be on the orderly consolidation of the two carriers, because that is clearly in the best interest of our employees, customers and shareholders. The timeline is short because we believe it is best to resolve issues quickly so that our employees have a clear understanding of what the future holds for them," said Ashby.

The US Airways Express network comprises nine carriers operating more than 2,000 flights daily, serving nearly 150 destinations in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. The three wholly owned subsidiaries are Allegheny Airlines, Piedmont Airlines and PSA Airlines and the affiliate carriers are Air Midwest, Chautauqua Airlines, Colgan Air, Mesa Airlines, Shuttle America and Trans States Airlines.

 

[Dash8]

once again, alg gets the shaft....

 

[Snakum]

Ashby said this option can be avoided through the timely conclusion of labor agreements about representation and work rules.

Yeah ... I bet it could be.

I feel very sorry for those guys at ALG. As I understand it there are a lot of guys who've made a career there and it's sad to see them get pushed out.

Minh

 

[low-key]

heres a question, I know some people that were furloughed from ALG and got hired on at PDT, now when the two companies merge are these guys going to get their original ALG hire date back for seniority purposes and bidding purposes???

 

[Dash8]

also what about the contract differences/concessions, with a merger i believe theres a snap back clause if i'm not mistaken
many of our guys did go to pdt, and said life was worse there than at alg (lots more dumb rules and things to contend with like checking in on sabre for a trip, which we don't have to do)

 

[texanpilot]

ALG truly got the shaft. Wait until they get a dose of PDT mis-management and the schedulers.
The merger should be pretty easy. The contracts are exactly the same, and there has been a DOH combined seniority list for years.

 

[AT7^DRIVER]

"US Airways Group, Inc. announced today that it will consolidate the operations of two of its wholly owned subsidiaries, Allegheny a role in our network, but it is inefficient to have two wholly owned Dash-8 operators with duplicative overhead functions for a shrinking part of the company. We believe it provides the best outcome for our employees."

****************************************************Maybe Delta management will get a clue and do the same with ASA/Comair.

 

[OldManPilot]

Sounds like it is just a way to make shrinking the two easier.

The shrinking will continue.

 

[WSurf]

Could get interesting! They are 2 options. (A) Date of hire and merger with the unions. Which is the best in some ways. (B) Transfer of Assests with planes and equipment going to PDT and ALG employees get interviews with PDT with no guarantee of getting hired and you start at the bottom.

I have been at PDT for 4 years, but there are a bunch of people with 2 years or less that want to protect there jobs also. There may be some problems there with dates of hire.

All this has to been done by the 24th of Jan. or it goes to plan (B), which is 18 planes of to PDT, and ALG gone.

This thing S U C K S big time. Contract carriers grow, and a WO gets the boot. I just hope it works out for the people at ALG. This is gonna affect a bunch of lives, Good Luck to all of us.

 

[Humphry]

Just a curious question to WSURF from an outsider. Why must it be completed by the 24th?

 

[Dash8]

Just a curious question to WSURF from an outsider. Why must it be completed by the 24th?

because they're probably pretty sure that the unions won't be able to get anything hammered out in time,
making mgmts job that much easier

 

[the turtle]

The irony of ironies...

I seem to recall on this board and others the very mention of a WO pilot flying for Mesa/JO would result in a mass exodus.

How does it feel now? Your looking into the blackness and seeing the devil himself. Suks, doesn't it? You folks are getting a taste as to what it's like to walk a mile in our shoes. Ask any CCAir pilot what it feels like, or any AirMiddy/Mesa pilot who gave up too much to stop Freedom.

You have no idea how bad this can get. Wonder how many Mesa pilot's welcome you with open arms after years of downright rudeness and arrogance on the WO's part.

So what you gonna do? Tell your wife/kids that you'll quit because now your a contract carrier like all the rest? Can't face your friends/family? become #xxx of xxxx?

Welcome to Mesa He11.

ps. no meal vouchers

 

[Dash8]

the wonders of cut and paste crossposting


does it feel good turtle?

 

[NCFlyer]

Just a curious question to WSURF from an outsider. Why must it be completed by the 24th?

The following is an excerpt from a letter to Piedmont employees:

"In order to consummate a merger by March 31, 2004, individual agreements need to be reached with all of the represented labor groups by January 24, 2004. If agreements are not in place with the represented labor groups by this date, Scenario B will occur."


Not quite sure why the rush. We have been trying to get this done for more than 10 years. Now it has to be completed in less than 3 months. Understanding the financial problems U is in, how is rushing this deal going to come anywhere close to saving them. It isn't, unless there is more to the deal than has been stated so far. Possibly something including our trusty J.O.? I guess we will all have to wait and see.

My gut reaction is that if management is putting such a tight deadline on the deal there must be something they are trying to hide or slip by both pilot groups.

 

[WSurf]

Come on Turtle, the only reason that we (WO's) and the REST OF THE REGIONAL INDUSTRY dislikes you. Well I won't even start with that, you know why. It's you my friend that has to wake up in the morning and look at yourself in a mirror, knowing that almost ever regional pilot wants to puke on you when they see your badge. Enjoy your Jet and Burger King work rules and wages. Good Day.


Humpry, I believe DASH 8 is correct. If they put a short time on it, the unions don't have time to hammer out issues. Date of hire will be the issue, we have a few that have been hired the last 2 years. So they are gonna want to protect there jobs. I myself have no problem with DOH as long as PDT has no furloughs. It's only human nature to protect your own first. This is just a messy situation... Sucks big time.

I think it's all for not, US Airways has to make a Loan payments. Unions at mainline are done giving up money. The airline will be done soon.

For me, well I am single and no family. No big deal, I just feel bad for the guys that have worked so hard to gives us better pay and work rules. It's sad! Good Luck to everyone...

 

[Catbird]

Hey Turtle- How long have you been polishing Johnny O's Knob? Don't you tire of the carpet burns? It's sad to see a man in your condition. Acquire a little self respect and at least ask Johnny O to quit posting those action films over at idiotswithawhip.com.......

 

[the turtle]

the wonders of cut and paste crossposting


does it feel good turtle?

feels about the same as the snide remarks, dirty stares and outright snobbery that we've taken from you classy folks over the years....so tell me, you folks gonna walk now that the mesa purple oooze is comming your way, like you've been telling us for oh so long?

 

[Dash8]

feels about the same as the snide remarks, dirty stares and outright snobbery that we've taken from you classy folks over the years....so tell me, you folks gonna walk now that the mesa purple oooze is comming your way, like you've been telling us for oh so long?

can't afford to work under the pay rates and work rules that were voted in there, so in all likely hood wouldn't go over, and i have a friend thats a ca in clt with you guys, so dn't go assuming that we all do what you say, i've talked amenably with many mesa people who individually i don't think (for the most part) are bad people, just caught in a bad situation, but that doesn't give you the right to rejoice at the misfortune of others, i don' t recall seeing anyone partying because of your last contract talks, no i felt sorry for you (and in particular my friend thats there)

not that you'll have to worry about it, because the conditions there are so sh1tty, IF J(erk) O(ff) did try to buy us most wouldn't be able to go, they'd be better off going to home depot or walmart rather than having to uproot their families.

 

[WSurf]

feels about the same as the snide remarks, dirty stares and outright snobbery that we've taken from you classy folks over the years


LOL... I remember MESA boys crying about FREEDOM AIR and how there were scabs and flying 70 seaters for nothing... Thats how we feel about you Turtle... I am telling you.. Look in the mirror.. LOL

 

[the turtle]

Wrap yourself tight in that blanket of hypocrisy, boys...looks to be a long, cold winter.