Any Aloha info??

[Sleepyhead]

wondering if anyone has any info as to what is going on at Aloha. I heard they got approval from the ATSB.
Are they still interviewing? Any classes scheduled?

 

[inseattlewa]

waiting game

from what i've been told, they have plans for a january class. they are running a class now in november, an upgrade in december, and planning for a jan new hire class. they picked up another new -700 this week and have two more coming shortly.

they did a major cutback in interisland flying as part of their anti trust agreement with hawaiian...aloha starts their major cutback in december and hawaiian is doing theirs in january.

anyone hear any more info on the hawaiian furloughs?

 

[HAL]

Here is what we've heard from the MEC about furloughs:

1. The Company has given us notice that they intend to furlough approximately 30 pilots in Jan 2003. Notifications should go out approximately December 1, 2002 for a possible January 15th furlough date.
2. Furloughs may continue through September 2003, and could reach somewhere over 100 pilots.
3. The last planned DC-10 flight is the end of May 2003, but may occur as early as March 2003.
4. The System Awards and Assignment Committee has requested a meeting with management to determine how they derived the number of furloughs needed.
5. We have asked for a business plan, proposed flight schedule, and for the staffing formula.
6. We are working with ALPA legal concerning scope clause issues.
7. For almost two years since the 767 has arrived, we have been working in a spirit of cooperation with management to reach a 767-transition agreement. We feel we need to have a 767 staffing formula before any furloughs are addressed.
8. The contract requires management to offer leaves of absence if they intend to furlough. As a result, we will ask again for surfer leaves, military leaves, and inquire about the use of early retirements.

Would they really furlough 100+ our of 450 pilots? I doubt it, considering they aren't going to reduce any of the 767 flying, and are talking about new destinations too.

It's gonna get ugly, but how ugly nobody knows right now.

HAL

 

[Freight Dog]

Hey inseattlewa, are you in Aloha's pool?

 

[inseattlewa]

oh man....

hey HAL...keep the faith! these furloughs come and go. what do they say, you aren't a real airline pilot until you've been furloughed at least twice! sorry to hear about HA, i agree with you though, they can't furlough 20% of their pilot group when they are talking expansion and new a/c! good luck man!

freight dog-

no i'm not in the pool, but a close friend works there at aloha. i'm gonna just let him use my name and stuff here now though. he can give better information than i can. i just kinda keep an eye on hawaii. i'd like to come over there someday....i'll have him get online in the next day or two so if you have any questions for him, give him a shout!

 

[Sleepyhead]

inseattlewa

Ask your friend to post under this threadso where know it's him.

 

[AQ PILOT]

Hello! I just read what inseattlewa wrote and it is pretty much right on the money from what little I know. I am an FO for AQ and that is pretty much what they are telling us.....

 

[Freight Dog]

Aloha Airlines reports profits

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer


Aloha Airlines earned $693,616 in the third quarter, as it returned to profitability for the first time since its proposed merger with Hawaiian Airlines was called off.


Aloha Airlines posted third-quarter profits, the company's first quarter of profitability since the proposed merger with Hawaiian Airlines failed earlier this year.
Advertiser library photo

This is the first quarter of profitability since the breakup of Aloha's planned merger with the larger Hawaiian Airlines earlier this year. Aloha, the state's second-largest airline, posted a $12 million loss in last year's fourth quarter, a $7.1 million net loss during the first quarter of this year and a $6.8 million loss in the second quarter.

For the third quarter, the airline earned $1.6 million on operations, compared with a $1.25 million loss a year ago, according to figures released by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Total operating revenue was $90.1 million, and the airline's operating expenses came to $88.5 million, including $34.4 million for salaries and benefits.

Aloha, a private company, is not required to report earnings to the SEC but does file income statements with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Aloha has said it will reduce its interisland schedule by about 20 percent starting Dec. 2 under a plan to split capacity with Hawaiian Airlines on some routes.

Aloha recently was given a federal antitrust exemption to cooperate with Hawaiian on schedules. Both airlines have said they have lost money on interisland service.

To further reduce its costs, Aloha is asking its unions, representing some 3,000 employees, to take a 10 percent wage cut over the next three years.

The wage concessions, if agreed to by the unions, are expected to save the airline about $37 million over the three years.

Aloha said the pay cuts are part of its proposal for $40.5 million in loan guarantees that were given conditional approval by the Air Transportation Stabilization Board.

According to the report released yesterday, Aloha had $19.4 million in cash on hand, up from $18 million in the second quarter.



http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Nov/23/bz/bz02a.html

 

[Sleepyhead]

Finally some good airline news.
I hope this means hiring will continue even though
they are dereasing inter-island flying.

Freightdog,
Any news at Island that they will increase
inter-island flying when Aloha and Hawaiian
cut back?

 

[Freight Dog]

Who knows... we're sort of overstaffed per Island Air president's request. I think the future classes at Island Air depend on how many go to Aloha.

Where Island Air may benefit is if Hawaiian pulls out of LNY and MKK, then we would probably add more flights there. But that remains to be seen. We are increasing flying in December, but not by too much. As for interisland nonstop flying between the 5 main Hawaii airports, we are subject to Aloha's scope clause that basically says only Aloha Airlines pilots. Pretty cut and dry.

 

[got_jumpseat?]

Aloha Airlines reports profits

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer


Aloha Airlines earned $693,616 in the third quarter, as it returned to profitability for the first time since its proposed merger with Hawaiian Airlines was called off.http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Nov/23/bz/bz02a.html

VERY INTERESTING as I think this is the first time AQ posted any profits or losses ever. They are a private company and do not need to disclose this info. Maybe they are just fluffing their feathers for the public at large to prove they are doing OK in such a turbulent time.

 

[got_jumpseat?]

Aloha new hire class

I got this accurate info from somebody that knows.

2 Navy C-130 Commanders
1 USAirways f-100, 737-200 First Officer (and ex Mesa CRJ captain)
1 Island air Dash-8 Captain
1 HANG F-15 pilot
1 Female executive air 737 first officer
1 Horizon F-28 Captain
AND 1 MESABA SF-340 FIRST OFFICER NO PIC, NO TURBOJET, LIMITED EFIS, 100% PURE LOCAL BOY.

Would the Island Air CA be our very own Dash Trash?

 

[AQ PILOT]

Got Jumpseat, Do you know when that class starts? I hope you're correct and it is consistent with the rumor that we were hiring another class soon. I hope it isn't the class that just finished Friday, I know it had an F-28 guy in it.

With regards to your comment about the reporting of a profit, I believe the reason that was put out there, is because of the negotiations we are in with the company. Management is being forced to show us its books for the first time. Personally, I do not trust the numbers we receive fully.

One question, why did you capitalize the mesaba 'local boy' new hire? Just curious......Where you flyin' now?

 

[got_jumpseat?]

Got Jumpseat, Do you know when that class starts? I hope you're correct and it is consistent with the rumor that we were hiring another class soon. I hope it isn't the class that just finished Friday, I know it had an F-28 guy in it.

With regards to your comment about the reporting of a profit, I believe the reason that was put out there, is because of the negotiations we are in with the company. Management is being forced to show us its books for the first time. Personally, I do not trust the numbers we receive fully.

One question, why did you capitalize the mesaba 'local boy' new hire? Just curious......Where you flyin' now?

I thought it was a new-newhire class but now i think it might be the class that just finished. I was copying something over from my e-mailbox a lot of people send me stuff. The BOLD was the initial sender's emphasis not mine. I think he emphasised the 100% local boy because no PIC time and no Jet time either. He was trying to encourage me because I have low time considering what i am up against. I live in Honolulu now been on Oahu 25 yrs since keiki days. I fly the CRJ-200 for Mesa.

 

[AQ PILOT]

That did kind of suprise me. I thought I had read somewhere that you were from the islands. So you're in the RJ at Mesa. Tell me you're based in PHX...I have a great friend out there that flies the RJ out of there as a Capt. And I do think having the 'local' connection helps, obviously, but it sure isn't a requirement! Good luck getting on. We are gonna be doing some serious hiring from what I've been told....

 

[got_jumpseat?]

That did kind of suprise me. I thought I had read somewhere that you were from the islands. So you're in the RJ at Mesa. Tell me you're based in PHX...I have a great friend out there that flies the RJ out of there as a Capt. And I do think having the 'local' connection helps, obviously, but it sure isn't a requirement! Good luck getting on. We are gonna be doing some serious hiring from what I've been told....

Yah, PHX based. I hope Aloha picks me. Things could go real bad this year if we strike and I dont have a flying job. New keiki on the way compounds the stress. Good thing my wife stresses enough for the both of us so I am worry-free.

 

[Sleepyhead]

"We are gonna be doing some serious hiring from what I've been told...."

AQ pilot,

What exactly have you heard?
From my info, there are only 11 pilots in the pool and all
of those will be in a new hire class in Jan.
So if they are planning on some major hiring, shouldn't they be having interviews?

 

[Freight Dog]

From what I've observed in the past, Aloha hires enough people for the next class and puts them in the pool. When they run a class and empty the pool, they interview and replenish it if they plan to continue hiring.

 

[AQ PILOT]

AQ

HAL-
Hey man, I just heard from one of your guys today about the cuts. 43... That is so not right. He also mentioned that there were supposed to be a lot more to follow? I truly am sorry about that. I hope this is just a seasonal thing and you're up and flying again in no time. Keep the faith man. What was your class date?

Hog-

My informal understanding of our hiring plans is this. We are going to be running either an upgrade class or a new hire class every month for the near to mid term future, i.e. 2-6 months. Where are you flying now? Our training department is pretty small, and we've been growing like mad for the past few years. It is tough for us to have a large pool and be interviewing all of the time.

I agree with freight dog, for the most part anyway. Aloha is famous for calling the same week of the interview, hiring a day or two after, and putting you in a class the following Monday. Happened to me and a bunch of the guys I know. Latest rumor is 5 more airplanes next year. We are already short staffed, even though the interisland reduction took place, we are still hitting the minimums for reserves. Personally, I see a doubling in the size of our fleet in the 2 years....so another 5 aircraft in '04. That is only my guess..and that with $5 will get you a cup of coffee downtown. Most of what I hear is only rumors, although from time to time I do swing into ops and ask a few questions....

Freight Dog-

You're in the pool aren't ya?

Got Jumpseat-

PM me with your name, I'd like to ask my buddy if he knows ya!

 

[Freight Dog]

Re: AQ

Personally, I see a doubling in the size of our fleet in the 2 years....so another 5 aircraft in '04. That is only my guess..and that with $5 will get you a cup of coffee downtown. Most of what I hear is only rumors, although from time to time I do swing into ops and ask a few questions....

Freight Dog-

You're in the pool aren't ya?

Man, that better be some GOOD pure Kona coffee
Yep, I'm in the pool.

 

[Slim Dusty]

Re: AQ

We are already short staffed, even though the interisland reduction took place, we are still hitting
the minimums for reserves.

700 base is full with qual'd FOs (me) pushed back to 200s. Heard 28 -200 reserves for Dec, nearly 100% coverage with the new reduced sked. (Haven't checked my box yet.) And that doesn't include all of the new hires who haven't completed IOE so can't bid but will be flying the line. Sounds overstaffed to me, yet still hearing about a possible Jan class. Crazy. I did 2 trips in Nov and will probably have Dec - Jan off. Something is up, but who knows what. How do those flows go again?

 

[CARVEMASTER]

Default Flow:

Forward = Fast
Back = Slow

 

[HAL]

AQ Pilot:
I was hired in mid '99, and have about 100 below me. Management says 100+ on the furloughs though, so I just don't know where I'll be by next summer. Hopefully still flying the 767. They say they're trying to make a more efficient airline - but furloughing more than 20% of the pilots? We may have been a little overstaffed with the DC-10's gone, but no way that much. Best guess is that it is also a negotiating tactic for the 2004 contract. We'll just see.

HAL

 

[AQ PILOT]

HAL-
Well I sure hope things work out for you. I agree, I don't see how they can cut back 20%. Makes no sense. Especially with the local papers talking about you starting new routes. (Yeah, I know the Vegas route wont really be a 'new' one, but still...) One of your guys was telling me that this is real common around Xmas? Is that true? There are gonna be tons of changes in the near future in this industry....its all kind of a crapshoot right now!

Freight Dog-
That was just MY feelings on the fleet size. I also have a feeling that the Seahawks are gonna win the Superbowl. Hope that tells ya something. Nah, we are gonna grow, we have to, I just like to think it will be faster rather than slower!

Rodgers-
Read your PM, you'll be back in the -700 directly!

 

[captain]

sorry to break in on this, but I was interviewed in sept. got shot down, I think it was the sim. I was not ready for that frasca. haven't flown a recip in four years. that thing does not carry momentum like I am used to. anyhow my fault I should have gotten some sime time b4.

have any of you heard that they have hired any that have been turned down in the past? or is it a one shot deal?

there were many on interview day that had more quals than I.

if at first you don't succede...

 

[AQ PILOT]

Hey Capt-
One of my closest friends interviewed in May. 6500 hour RJ captain. Same thing, he jumped in the sim and saw all those round dials and couldn't make it work smooth. He was so used to glass. I've been trying to get him another interview, but they like to take a break for a bit if you don't get through the first time. I'm not sure how long that break is. But, on a good note, there are people here who have interviewed twice....Good luck!

 

[got_jumpseat?]

Re: AQ concession package

700 base is full with qual'd FOs (me) pushed back to 200s. Heard 28 -200 reserves for Dec, nearly 100% coverage with the new reduced sked. (Haven't checked my box yet.) And that doesn't include all of the new hires who haven't completed IOE so can't bid but will be flying the line. Sounds overstaffed to me, yet still hearing about a possible Jan class. Crazy. I did 2 trips in Nov and will probably have Dec - Jan off. Something is up, but who knows what. How do those flows go again?

Did any of you AQ guys attend the powerpoint presentation on the proposed concession package yesterday? From what I hear ALPA National believes Aloha is in worse shape than Hawaiian. My buddy came out of that meeting with this.. Aloha either needs to expand the 700 flying into a large Central and South Pacific long haul operation or they will cease to exist.

Is it just fancy negotiating by clever Chinese with good old-fashioned haole connections to ALPA's Economic & Financial Analysis (E&FA) Dept? I am not sure what to think. ALPA is saying Aloha is worse off than Hawaiian yet Aloha is hiring while Hawaiian isn't.

Two airlines in bad shape, one hires like crazy to save the farm while the other is laying of dozens at a time. Go figure. They obviously went to different schools growing up eh?

You are right, something is up over there. What is going on I am not sure any of us know. I suspect there are powerful forces at work ensuring the 40.5 million in loan guarantees from the Air Transportation Stabilization Board go through. That money will be used to help finance a new fleet of Boeing 737-700's.

More power to you guys. This is the way to work the system. I hope I get in to share in the reaping of this hard work. What I am getting out of this is it sounds like Aloha Management works well with ALPA and that's GOT to be worth something. Go Aloha.

 

[Sleepyhead]

"Two airlines in bad shape, one hires like crazy to save the farm while the other is laying of dozens at a time. Go figure. They obviously went to different schools growing up eh?"


Well Aloha seems to be smart enough to realize that you have to grow the company to increase profits.
Look at aviation history and you will see everytime an airline trys to shrink to increase profits they just keep shrinking. The competitors will start to take your market share.

 

[AQ PILOT]

JIM-
Yeah, unfortunately for us to qualify for the loan the company had to show something. Without going too far into it, really the only way we could do it was to take the pay cut...really. I'd like to explain more, but A) I'd probably mess it up and B) I don't know what the general public is supposed to know although I assume if I know it, everyone does...

Rest assured though, ALPA did some great work for us and we will be seeing the concessionary money again. There is a set in stone plan for us to get every penny back. As for the stock in the company idea, something like that is going to happen as well....Personally I think we got pretty lucky with the deal we ended up with. Wish it never had to happen though!

For what its worth, I'm still sick for you guys over there. 20% of your pilot group is just bunk.....good luck and let's hope you guys catch a break!

Got Jump-

Personally I think Aloha is the stronger company by far. No offense to HAL at all, but our owners have a lot to lose. HAL's don't. The positive side for them is they have that big bond company to draw from. Again, this is all my opinion. I do know one thing for sure....neither of us is sitting pretty right now. Its too bad that merger failed. That would have saved us all. I went to the first ALPA meeting and I really liked what I heard...with the exception of the pay cut of course.....

Hog-
Yeah baby...let's keep on expanding!

 

[got_jumpseat?]

Personally I think Aloha is the stronger company by far. No offense to HAL at all, but our owners have a lot to lose. HAL's don't. The positive side for them is they have that big bond company to draw from. Again, this is all my opinion. I do know one thing for sure....neither of us is sitting pretty right now. Its too bad that merger failed. That would have saved us all. I went to the first ALPA meeting and I really liked what I heard...with the exception of the pay cut of course.....

Hog-
Yeah baby...let's keep on expanding!

It doesn't help either if your company is nothing more than a school for CEO's going somewhere else. Hawaiian needs solid Island-bred leadership. No more CEO's just looking for an airline to add to their resume. Which malahini would be up to the task? It's not like Hawaii has many aviation experts running around either. Theres got to be somebody.