Anyone heard from NWA?

[NuGuy]

you are saying that NWA is losing 30 pilots a month? Where are they going? Is this due to mostly retirements? It must be. I have seen that most of the other airlines are adding narrow body planes to their fleet, where as NWa seems to be only slated for the new boeing 787 orders which does not seem that big compared to other orders. Then there are the remaining 330 deliveries..... With the scheduled parking of the 9's and the loss of the 319's how is this any growth to compete with the other airlines in taking market share for the expected growth of air travel? Does NWA just plan on covering this growth with 76 seat flying? Whats up with that? should we expect any a/c orders from NWA thats larger than 110 seats?

Heyas XJ,

Your analysis is close to the mark. There's really no long term growth at all, and lots of flying being lost to the RJs.

The actual attrition is about 25-35/mo, although some months it's higher. That number represents the actual shrinkage of the seniority list, so it's actually a 25-35 net loss after you add in recalled pilots. The list went from about 5600 to 5300 in a year.

It's a mix of retirements and resignations. One of the LEC reps in MEM just quit to go to UPS.

Nu

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Have you? Please Rez - I'd love to hear your definition of a "real" airplane.

It was an inside joke.................

But if you must.....

the only real airplanes out there are

• B737
• F-15
• F-16
• F-22A

Anyone who flies anything else is subpar....

 

[optimater]

It was an inside joke.................

But if you must.....

the only real airplanes out there are

• B737
• F-15
• F-16
• F-22A

Anyone who flies anything else is subpar....

737? I submit that the DC-8 is the only real airplane out there, with honorable mention going to the 727 and DC-9.

 

[Schwanker]

you are saying that NWA is losing 30 pilots a month? Where are they going? Is this due to mostly retirements? It must be. I have seen that most of the other airlines are adding narrow body planes to their fleet, where as NWa seems to be only slated for the new boeing 787 orders which does not seem that big compared to other orders. Then there are the remaining 330 deliveries..... With the scheduled parking of the 9's and the loss of the 319's how is this any growth to compete with the other airlines in taking market share for the expected growth of air travel? Does NWA just plan on covering this growth with 76 seat flying? Whats up with that? should we expect any a/c orders from NWA thats larger than 110 seats?

XJ Hawk-
The 30+ is mostly retirements, although not everyone is waiting until age 60. There are a few resignations, mostly near the bottom of the list. There should be better fidelity on the numbers in the coming months, but the furloughees are not returning to training at the rate the company was expecting/hoping for. There are some resignations within this furloughed group, but a lot are on long term bypass (up to 4 years) and military leaves. These folks will likely not be back near term, who knows a couple years down the road.

I believe your fleet estimates are fairly accurate, but only management knows the real numbers. Granted, the announced 18 firm orders isn't huge, management seems pretty excited about them. Remember, there are options for 50 more although I'm not sure when deliveries positions are for the options. NWA was the 2nd airline to get in line for these so these options may have delilvery positions relatively early in the production cycle. Although it does have some negative impact, I think the -9 and 319s leaving may be a bit overplayed. The fleets are not being parked, but it does suck to lose any NB hulls. I still think the 9's will be around for several more years. As far as a replacement, who knows. Obviously, 76 seaters will have a significant impact on NB growth. It will result in less hiring at mainline in future years, but I can't imagine the pipeline being turned off. NWA can barely train to cover attrition, not to mention they are probably 400-500 short today. The loss of some 319s and -9s does suck, but it won't fix their staffing problems. I think there would be more of a threat if Compass was actually up and operational. Right now, it's been pretty slow to get on their feet. Others predict a flush back to Compass. I don't see it. They will hire at Compass to fill those jobs. Despite all the talk, there will be plenty of people lining up for those shiny E175s with a potential for a quick upgrade. Best of luck in whatever you choose.

Schwanker

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

737? I submit that the DC-8 is the only real airplane out there, with honorable mention going to the 727 and DC-9.

Agreed! The DC-8 is one bad ass MOFO...

Inboard TR on the decent! very cool....

 

[Workin'Stiff]

Can I get a "AMEN!" for the good 'ole 72!

 

[NuGuy]

Can I get a "AMEN!" for the good 'ole 72!

AMEN!

I don't know why Boeing bothered with a new design for a "Sonic Cruiser"...they already had one in the 72...

Of course, you'd be deaf when you got to where you're going, but still...

Nu

 

[Workin'Stiff]

AMEN!

I don't know why Boeing bothered with a new design for a "Sonic Cruiser"...they already had one in the 72...

Of course, you'd be deaf when you got to where you're going, but still...

Nu

If the noise from the JT-8's don't get to ya, the "ca-chunk" from the trim wheel will!

 

[27 driver]

If the noise from the JT-8's don't get to ya, the "ca-chunk" from the trim wheel will!

I miss that "ca-chunk"
:bawling:

 

[OPECJet]

The Lear 24 still has them all beat... Well, except for the F-15, F-16, and F-22....

 

[Diesel-9]

PHANTOM'S PHOREVER! p.s. NWA close to deal for doing the NBA charters again. A-319's for use. Would be keeping 8-10 of them for the charter business. Anyone heard more on this? Been on vacation and out of the loop.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

We had heard that over here at Champion as well. And it may definitely have some validity as I just received my "Base Closure Notice" from Champion management. Yep, DTW is no longer a base for Champion effective October 1st...

October is going to be a quiet month around DTW. First Spirit, now Champion.

 

[Lear70]

Oh crap, does THAT suck...

Are they going to downsize the fleet or just move them all to another base?

 

[Scrapdog]

It was an inside joke.................

But if you must.....

the only real airplanes out there are

• B737
• F-15
• F-16
• F-22A

Anyone who flies anything else is subpar....

Rezzie - so astute of you...actually the only real airplanes are B737, F-15, F-16, F-22A - but only with cookies next to ya when you fly 'em. :crying:

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Rezzie - so astute of you...actually the only real airplanes are B737, F-15, F-16, F-22A - but only with cookies next to ya when you fly 'em. :crying:

CrapDog (aka Mr. Fighter Pilot)

I could never fly those jets... I'd hurl those cookies into my nomex glove....

I'm sure you look better in a zoom suit too....

Rezfully yours....

 

[Scrapdog]

CrapDog (aka Mr. Fighter Pilot)

I could never fly those jets... I'd hurl those cookies into my nomex glove....

I'm sure you look better in a zoom suit too....

Rezfully yours....

Ahh, so now we're degrading ourselves down to "crap" dog. You sound very much like a complete child, aka Pocono Pilot. Rez, I gave you so much credit...I guess I take it back.

I don't analyze myself in a flight suit, so I couldn't tell ya. I guess that's what you meant by "zoom" suit. But I do wear it to work, because that's the uniform that is required for the job.

Should I get the chocolate chip, or oatmeal? You're certainly the afficianado there! You know, after I put away my "zoom" suit and get myself to my other job. That always ensures the jumpseat...I forgot where I heard that, but it is certainly sage advice. I highly recommend it!!!:smash:

 

[Workin'Stiff]

Oh crap, does THAT suck...

Are they going to downsize the fleet or just move them all to another base?

Well, for the time being, they are just distributing all of the DTW pilots throughout the rest of the bases. I'm sure there will be a bunch of downgrades, and such. The CEO stated that we lost a bunch of MLT flying and rumor mill has it that NW has about sealed the deal with the NBA. Kinda tough when that encompasses about 80-90 percent of our flying. But he mentioned new aircraft to keep competitive, blah, blah, blah. uke:

Too bad that should have happened years ago when our customers first started complaining. But what do I know, I'm just a dumb pilot.

But for the time being, there are plenty of us who have just been turned into vagabonds while it appears the company is simply turning the screws to us during our never ending negotiations.

 

[Lear70]

Jeez... I feel for you.

That's exactly how the 727 operator I worked for ended up shutting down, starting back in early 2001 with FedEx taking over the USPS contract.

Good luck, guys & gals!

 

[Heavy Set]

I have always wondered where the A330 base is for all of that Asian flying? Are those guys DTW, MSP, or SEA based? Do pilots fly 12 day trips to NRT and then do hub and spoke from there? How about the 757s from NRT to Guangzhou etc? Are they senior trips? Thanks.

 

[Cobraair75drvr]

Most of the Asia 330 flying is out of SEA. Trips are anywhere from 6-14 if over the end of the month. And yes once over in NRT they hub and spoke. Don't know how UAL does it but once you get to NRT you are fair game to be used like a reserve with resked. I don't know about the330 but I hear the 747200 gets resked like crazy. DTW gets a little now, however once MSP opens in DEC my guess is DTW will just be Europe with MSP doing some Pacific via HNL and Europe. 757 guys dh over then fly around 10-12 days then dh back. Very good deal for west coast commuters. JS over from the west coast work about 10 days or so, then JS home never going to Minnehopelis.

I have always wondered where the A330 base is for all of that Asian flying? Are those guys DTW, MSP, or SEA based? Do pilots fly 12 day trips to NRT and then do hub and spoke from there? How about the 757s from NRT to Guangzhou etc? Are they senior trips? Thanks.

 

[Diesel-9]

F-16's and F-22's fly on autopilot. Real pilots flew the F-4 and F-15. P.S. First NWA newhire class is rumored to be mid October.

 

[Limeyflyer]

First NWA newhire class is rumored to be mid October.

That would be nice

 

[Diesel-9]

Should be announcing soon the NBA Charter contract. Will be keeping 8-10? of the A319 for that. Did loose 9 or so A319's going to Russia. They were very high $ leased a/c that couldn't get reduced rates on.http://www.nwa.com/features/pilothire/

 

[EV120]

Just checked my app. status as well.

Under review...

 

[Limeyflyer]

Under review....