ASA ALPA message makes me wonder?

[ke4akj1976]

I just read the MEC message and it sounds a little depressing. Does anyone have additional info on what was behind this message?

 

[79%N1]

What message are you referring to?

 

[BOX OFFICE]

This one:

MEC EYES MERGER IMPACT
Now that Delta and Northwest have officially announced plans to merge the two companies, we’re all
wondering what will happen next. Knowing that the possibility of such a move has been clearly
contemplated for the past several months, our MEC has been watching this situation closely. Our union
leadership will continue to monitor and evaluate the move to consolidate these carriers, with special
attention given to the short and long term effects on ASA pilots. Additionally, we will continue to
communicate with our brothers and sisters at other carriers so that we can help each other through
whatever challenges we may all be facing.

Prior to the merger, Delta announced system wide capacity reductions, mainly due to the high price of oil.
With no foreseen drop in oil prices any time soon, we suspect those reductions and similar streamlining
efforts will continue.

With mergers also come consolidation and change. We don't know whether those changes will have a direct
impact upon us or what that impact might be; it's simply too early to tell. At this point it is crucial that we
keep a level head as we consider this merger and the trickle down influence it may eventually have on all of
us as ASA pilots.

As a strong, unified pilot group we need to stay focused on the immediate tasks of contract implementation
and simply doing our job. In this rapidly-changing environment, it's easy to see that the carriers
demonstrating performance and strength stand the greatest chance of continued vitality and are at the least
risk of dissolution. Our airline’s performance has steadily been on the increase over the past few months,
and we should all take pride in our role as pilots in that improvement. Our greatest strength is our
professionalism. The same level of professionalism that served us well through five years of contract
negotiations will see us through this metamorphosis.

 

[WalterSobchak]

I just read the MEC message and it sounds a little depressing. Does anyone have additional info on what was behind this message?

This whole industry is depressing right now...why would their tone be all "sunshine and rainbows" when that is clearly not the case?

 

[XPOO]

I think JA has shown a clear commitment to seeing both ASA and SkyWest emerge as the strongest regional airline alliance in the country. Until proven otherwise, I would have to say that history shows you have little to worry about.

 

[jegermeister]

Don't want to rain on the growth parade, but with Delta wanting to cut 200 RJ's (they've mentioned already that they have too many 50's) I see some storm clouds on the horizon for ASA. We are losing the ATR's this fall, oil is at $117 a barrell and climbing, little opportunity to get outside flying, and well over a 100 reserve captains on the 200 for just over 300 hard lines.

Is it the end of the world for us? Absolutely not! Does it mean upgrades climbing well above the two year mark? You bet. Also you can probably count on much longer reserve times for junior CA/FO's.

The union is just giving a reality check for those of us with our head in the sand. For example.. those who aren't on board with fuel conservation and operational perfomance.

Just my 2 cents.

Jeger

 

[samballs]

For some reason OH has a huge jump of flying in ATL come June?

 

[SPDBRD747400]

For some reason OH has a huge jump of flying in ATL come June?

I wouldn't get to excited, ASA is taking over the Freedum flying down in MCO so a little shift in flying down to MCO and OH probably filling in the gap in ATL.

 

[samballs]

I wouldn't get to excited, ASA is taking over the Freedum flying down in MCO so a little shift in flying down to MCO and OH probably filling in the gap in ATL.

Where was my excitement? the last thing I want is others flying (except getting our flying back from Freedum). Its actually a lot more than Freedum was doing.

 

[crjskipper]

the ev june sched shows us doing a lot more 200 flying from cvg and a bunch more in mco. considering a month ago our 200 flying was getting chopped i consider that good news.

delta cant be happy with peanucles performance so far - no excuse for their completion factor when they have a spare parked every day.

the summer will be much tougher when we dont have as many spares as we have now, but spreading our operation around cvg and mco will help when those daily atl summer irops hit.

 

[goahead]

It's because soon OH and EV will be one.

 

[MJ42]

Where was my excitement? the last thing I want is others flying (except getting our flying back from Freedum). Its actually a lot more than Freedum was doing.

I hope it was just a poor choice of words but...Since when is it your flying? It's Delta's flying that was given to you. Hopefully poor scope will be changed if Delta/NWA ever get on the same page

 

[ohplease!]

I hope it was just a poor choice of words but...Since when is it your flying? It's Delta's flying that was given to you. Hopefully poor scope will be changed if Delta/NWA ever get on the same page

It became "our" flying right about the time Delta "gave" it to us (ASA). More scope will be given up by Delta/NWA pilots in an effort to keep you from being put on the street for a while (and it probably won't keep you safe anyway). Make no mistake about it. Delta and NWA are, and have been, on the same page for a while now. And they don't give a damn about you, me or any other pilot out there.

 

[JECKEL]

Just so everything is clear. Nothing was given to anyone. The Delta pilot group "SOLD" it back to management. It was negotiated away for money and benefits to the Delta MEC/pilots years ago. It was then allocated and eventually awarded to bidders.

 

[MJ42]

It became "our" flying right about the time Delta "gave" it to us (ASA). More scope will be given up by Delta/NWA pilots in an effort to keep you from being put on the street for a while (and it probably won't keep you safe anyway). Make no mistake about it. Delta and NWA are, and have been, on the same page for a while now. And they don't give a damn about you, me or any other pilot out there.

Oh please! It's Delta's flying, period. I may or may not be safe, that's not the debate. If I'm not safe then that just hurts every regional pilot out there who wants to move up to a major. Shouldn't we be striving to increase mainline flying to create more mainline jobs so others have the chance to move up? Or, do you think most regional pilots are content being at a regional for life?(or at least spending less time at a major, therefore hurting future QOL and potential career earnings).

You're right, Delta/NWA does not care about us, that should be why we have ALPA. But the infighting is doing more harm than good at the moment, hopefully that will change. Only time will tell. But, don't confuse your flying with, what actually is, Delta's flying given to you. Who owns and sells the seats? Not ASA.

 

[ohplease!]

Oh please! It's Delta's flying, period. I may or may not be safe, that's not the debate. If I'm not safe then that just hurts every regional pilot out there who wants to move up to a major. Shouldn't we be striving to increase mainline flying to create more mainline jobs so others have the chance to move up? Or, do you think most regional pilots are content being at a regional for life?(or at least spending less time at a major, therefore hurting future QOL and potential career earnings).

You're right, Delta/NWA does not care about us, that should be why we have ALPA. But the infighting is doing more harm than good at the moment, hopefully that will change. Only time will tell. But, don't confuse your flying with, what actually is, Delta's flying given to you. Who owns and sells the seats? Not ASA.

ALPA doesn't give a damn about you either.

You are the confused one. I know NONE of this flying belongs to ANY of us. Any and all could be taken away at the whim (not really a whim, actually very calculated by the only ones who stand to make any real money from any of this).

You and these other "mainline fools" who think you have ANY control are laughable. At best.

But hey, don't let me rain on your parade. Keep riding that high horse down the road thumbing your nose at anyone not at a major or not at the major for whom you toil. One word of advice though; watch out where you're going. That low hanging limb you can't see with your nose so far up in the air is going to hurt when it smacks you under the chin.

 

[MJ42]

ALPA doesn't give a damn about you either. Yeah, what a pity. I guess you are just throwing money away by paying your dues. Would you rather see things remain status quo or attempt to change things for the better? Keep bitchin while others try to improve the profession, such a smug attitude!

You are the confused one. I know NONE of this flying belongs to ANY of us. Any and all could be taken away at the whim (not really a whim, actually very calculated by the only ones who stand to make any real money from any of this).Wrong, DAL owns DAL flying, NWA owns NWA flying. You seem to be the confused one . Yes, it could be taken away...if either company goes out of business. But both companies choose to either increase or decrease THEIR flying as warranted.

You and these other "mainline fools" who think you have ANY control are laughable. At best.Never said I have any control you "mainline wannabe fool" Keep spinning my words.

But hey, don't let me rain on your parade. Keep riding that high horse down the road thumbing your nose at anyone not at a major or not at the major for whom you toil. One word of advice though; watch out where you're going. That low hanging limb you can't see with your nose so far up in the air is going to hurt when it smacks you under the chin.

I came from a regional, fool. I worked my ass off to get to where I'm at, which included flight instructing, 135 night freight and turboprop and RJ flying at 2 regional(and a furlough after 9/11). I remember where I came from and want to help those who come after me. What a bad attitude you have!

 

[Medeco]

I hope it was just a poor choice of words but...Since when is it your flying? It's Delta's flying that was given to you. Hopefully poor scope will be changed if Delta/NWA ever get on the same page

Since you hope that the merger will change the scope back , and you came from two regionals, seems like your not too concerned about any job loss that would result at the regional level.

I'd say the bad attitude exist with you too?

Let me get this straight, your now at NWA, so regionals should no longer have what they do now?

Medeco

 

[MJ42]

Since you hope that the merger will change the scope back , and you came from two regionals, seems like your not too concerned about any job loss that would result at the regional level.Wrong, I don't want anyone to lose their job. I've been there and know how it feels!

I'd say the bad attitude exist with you too? Really, read below...

Let me get this straight, your now at NWA, so regionals should no longer have what they do now?Nope, not what I said. I'd love to see flow ups actually work. I'd like to see more mainline jobs so regional pilots can move up. I'd like to see regional flying go back to turboprops. I'd like to see "regional feed" be regional, small cities flying to hubs to support mainline flying.

You and I both know this isn't going to happen, but growing regionals is not the answer. It makes people stay at regionals longer, that's not good for pilots who want to move up.

Medeco

When will pilots (mainline and regionals) stop shooting themselves in the foot?

 

[JoeMerchant]

When will pilots (mainline and regionals) stop shooting themselves in the foot?

...your one of those firing those shots into the feet...On another thread you are shooting down the idea of a national list...Now you want to return "regional" flying to "what it was".....Why do we even have "regional" flying? At one time there was no such thing....The mainlines did it with the "prop" planes...You are falling into the exact trap that got us into this mess....You are trying to define "regional" and "mainline" flying....What happened to "airline" flying?

Just out of curiousity....can you tell us which two regionals you flew for and what freight job you had?