Aloha's Big Announcement!!!

[Immelman]

Re: Re: Really?

Got something against commuters? I'd rather be based in OAK or PHX than in this "paradise" where I'm treated as a second-class citizen simply because I'm white.

[edit] I think I was a little out of line in my original post. This thread isn't my kuleana to begin with, and I apologize if I had offended anyone.

In an idealistic sense I'd like to think that living in Hawai'i is like living in a big happy place where everyone is fiendly... to a small extent it is true, but it is irresponsible to say that as a whole; there are racial probs there like there are in many other places. I personally have seen far more racism in rural America than in Hawai'i (as a white person), but that only my personal experience.

 

[Freight Dog]

Hey Dopps, you may cheer up a tad when you get your profit-sharing check. I heard that last time those went around, I was still in elementary school. Sure, the expansion may be slow, but we're hiring more. 3 more classes that I heard of through June.

Our management has made some dumb decisions - like not starting expansion to the mainland in the mid 90's, the jury is still out on the sale of Island Air, but they did seem to have pulled it together after the merger fell through.

JJP, define REAL AQ pilot, and what's going on at the end of the week?

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Re: Re: Re: Really?

I can assure you that if you're being treated as a 2nd class citizen, it isn't because of your skin color.

Yep.

 

[AQ PILOT]

I gotta agree with Immelman for the most part. Hawaii does have a bunch of nice people, a great culture, and it is a pretty impressive place to live. Once you get in the groove of this place, it is pretty fantastic.

On Dopps' side, I agree that there is a bit of stereotyping here. I don't want to go so far as to call is 'discrimination', but there is some sort of a stigma...hence the use of 'haole' all the time. I still don't fit in 100% of the time, but then again I never have anywhere ;-)

I did hear an interesting rumor the other day from a couple of HAL guys. They said that our Union MEC had already been approached by the company for possibly opening a mainland base. How they knew, I have no idea, but that rumor does run around pretty heavily from time to time.....so, Dopps, you may be in luck!

 

[jjp]

Re: Re: Really?

"Got something against commuters? I'd rather be based in OAK or PHX than in this "paradise" where I'm treated as a second-class citizen simply because I'm white. Besides, your Hawaii lifestyle has gone bye-bye. If you want to keep it, go back to Island Air. "

If you'd rather be based in OAK or PHX why on earth would you accept a job with Aloha?

Last week I had a Captain who commuted in the same day, slept for two hours during the flight back to the mainland, and then bumped the speed up to a cost index of 500 on the flight back in hopes of making an earlier flight back to the mainland. We landed 1,600 pounds under projections. That's my 10%.

Last month I watched in disgust as a guy a class junior to me argued with an OAK gate agent about the fact that he was a commuter and shouldn't be bumped by someone junior to him even though the other person was on a vacation pass. He told the agent, "Well, you've just caused a flight to be cancelled this afternoon." I hope word got back to flight ops.

I don't have anything against commuters, but I do have something against idiots.

I don't know if you're one of them, but I can assure you that if you're being treated like a second class citizen, you probably bring it on yourself. And this is from someone who married a mainland haole girl.

 

[jjp]

Yea the $35 bucks a month for full medical and dental for me, the wife and the kids is absolutely killing me...i should go find a real job

dip$hit

Is that all it is, $35? Then I take that back.

I read that WN only pays for the pilot - the family has to co pay. And when I was at my second commuter job it was $160 per additional family member. I guess you guys have a much better deal.

Sorry.

 

[AQ PILOT]

Hey jjp...eeeaaaasssyyy...we don't wanna end up like those HAL guys! Split between HNL and a mainland base! Both you and Dopps are cleared direct Ebber to kiss and make up!

And please, Santa, don't let Southwest buy us...please...

 

[jjp]

Hey jjp...eeeaaaasssyyy...we don't wanna end up like those HAL guys! Split between HNL and a mainland base! Both you and Dopps are cleared direct Ebber to kiss and make up!

And please, Santa, don't let Southwest buy us...please...

Yeah. You're right. We're all Aloha here.

Sorry Dopps. I don't care if you have your mainland base as long as I can stay here and collect my retirement.

It'll never happen, but I wish for Christmas that the rest of the world would just leave us alone.

 

[AQ PILOT]

Yah, that would be a great Christmas present. Although, how about this rumor. WN buys us, part of the buyout is that we are grandfathered-in the HNL base for the rest of our careers?

I know we lose our incredible retirement plans....but, at least we'd have some real strength in this industry for the first time! Nah, you're right....let's keep it the way it is....maybe open a mainland base or two....and maybe get 4 or 5 757's on property too...now that would be a Christmas present!

Happy Holidays All!

 

[HAL]

AQ pilot,

Just wondering what in the world you guys are thinking over there...

Do you really think that after a quarter century of progress and profit SWA would buy you guys and then convert their best-of-class profit making 737's into 757's?

Actually, I've been far removed from the island rumor mill with my new job in Alaska, but it still seems like a looooooooooong shot for SWA to actually step up and buy you guys. What would they gain out of it that they couldn't do for themselves cheaper and better?

Not baiting, just asking.

HAL

 

[jjp]

AQ pilot,

Just wondering what in the world you guys are thinking over there...

Do you really think that after a quarter century of progress and profit SWA would buy you guys and then convert their best-of-class profit making 737's into 757's?

Actually, I've been far removed from the island rumor mill with my new job in Alaska, but it still seems like a looooooooooong shot for SWA to actually step up and buy you guys. What would they gain out of it that they couldn't do for themselves cheaper and better?

Not baiting, just asking.

HAL

Ease and speed of entry, "out of the box" ETOPS solution, and local goodwill.

The ETOPS solution is the big one. ETOPS isn't so much about aircraft or training as it is about the maintenance and spare parts chain. No offense to HAL, but they're still operating under AA's maintenance program.

When AQ started the -700 service, they already had nearly two decades of ETOPS experience. With the -700, they only had to add the engines to the certificate.

WN would have to do six months of proving runs on the mainland before even applying for an initial ETOPS certificate.

 

[AQ PILOT]

Twice in one day I'm gonna say EZ NOW!

Hey HAL,

EZ on the insinuations! I for one have never believed that WN would buy us, nor would I want them to! I was just poppin' off about all the wild rumors I have been hearing. Nothing more, nothing less. And I know you weren't trying to be accusatory, so don't take my reply in that tone....

WN would gain a little buy buying us. Well not us, but our certs. What exactly would they gain? Well, they would really put a hurtin on UAL. They would be able to open up EVERY WEST COAST CITY they serve now to Hawaiian destinations. Is that worth the ETOPS cost? I can honestly say, I have no idea. All I know is that the rumor about WN and AQ just wont die!

I'm just passin' on the worthless drivel I get. There is no news that I have heard that is worth posting. The best I had heard was from your guys about us opening a mainland base!

So what you doin' up in AK? Sounds like you got a flyin' job...that just rocks! You'll be back to HAL before you know it. This industry down here is going gangbusters right now...just crazy!

 

[islandhopper]

Re: Twice in one day I'm gonna say EZ NO

All I know is that the rumor about WN and AQ just wont die!

One thing we must realize about this mother of all rumors is first off... Has anybody seen EVEN ONE southwest executive out here checking out our ops or even in a closed meeting with our execs?

I really dont think anybody would buy an airline "sight-unseen!" They wouldnt even begin a CODESHARE with us without giving our entire operation some kind of white glove test.

The last "airline" I worked at (i use that term lightly) began a codeshare agreement with United. EVERYBODY knew it was in the works because numerous employees WITNESSED the UAL execs entering and leaving our building. It was NO SECRET. 3 or 4 months later it happened, it was true.

The WN/AQ things smells like BS through and through. I dont see one scrap of evidence. Just posts on these internet BB's do not convince me. I first heard a version of this rumor three years ago, it died, the latest version I heard a few months ago, then it died, now It is becoming a full on urban legend, back from the dead once again. Once we think its dead a new group of people find out about it and raise it from the dead. C'mon guys.

I think everytime we get a box jellyfish warning on Oahu the rumors start to fly. Thats the only explanantion. Get another hobby besides surfing!

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Re: Re: Twice in one day I'm gonna say EZ NO

Get another hobby besides surfing!

No thanks!

 

[islandhopper]

Re: Re: Re: Twice in one day I'm gonna s

No thanks!

OK I will reword, get another hobby IN ADDITION to surfing! Too many of us zombie out in front these computers when the surf is junk.