ASA finally Sold....really

[chperplt]

I didn't see any mention of SKYW assuming XXXX million/billion in RJ debt as the General said would be a must when a sale would happen.

Did I miss this info in the press release??

 

[legalalien]

As someone who has been at ASA for more than 5 years I think that this will be a good thing. I guess I'm a glass full kind of guy!

With any luck Skywest will replace our management "team" with people who know how to manage. It seem's to me that Skywest people are generally happier with their company than we are with ours, and I would have to say that is all down to the management "style" we endure on a daily basis!

My only worry for the commuters at ASA is that I believe Skywest gets S3C on Delta, so that is going to make life really difficult for a lot of commuters. That is a large percentage of our pilots.

Things are going to get interesting with the contract now! I can't believe that Skywest will want to drag out the negotiations any longer than necessary.

 

[MrSalty]

Rape the horses, and ride out on their women!

 

[Yank McCobb]

Arrr!!!

 

[Mmmmmm Burritos]

This is interesting!! Message from Jerry Atkin on the new skywest.com:

" Welcome to SkyWest, Inc. We're excited about bringing a new carrier under the SkyWest, Inc. umbrella. In today's fluid environment, it seems everyone from analysts to the average airline passenger has ideas on rebuilding our industry's model, but we know that some things remain timeless best practices in any business. We've found that quality service with a competitive cost structure is the cornerstone in excellence for our employees, our customers, and every stake holder at SkyWest, Inc.
Though both airlines will continue to run as separate entities, ASA's information technology and administrative functions currently managed by Delta will transition to SkyWest, Inc. within the first twelve months. SkyWest, Inc. will also begin a "best practices" initiative with both airlines to learn from each other's strengths, as we believe that the collective synergies of both airlines creates a powerful force as an independent yet cohesive alliance.


So while others make failed attempts in search of reinventing business models or wait for paradigms to shift, we're going to continue to build on what's made us successful for over thirty years. We welcome ASA to the SkyWest, Inc. family and look forward to bridging the regional gap from West to East.


Jerry Atkin
Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
SkyWest, Inc.

 

[Spinplate]

Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme

 

[Halo_RJdriver]

Dream on about Skywest mgmt. They are all high altitude....(insert your insult.) or tight azz's. Sapa is the fast track to managment. SGU's arbitors. Last year's union drive did not pass because of the california bases. SLC and DEN are pro-Union and now ORD. All others are dragging the wages and QOL to the bottom.

 

[Mmmmmm Burritos]

Straight from the Acquisition Q&A on skywest.com:

http://www.skywest.com/qa/index.php

The SkyWest, Inc. pay philosophies of being fair to employees while maintaining a competitive cost structure will be applied to both companies, but this does not necessarily mean that all pay scales will be identical. SkyWest, Inc. will be in the unique position of allocating resources, including growth aircraft to the two carriers, so it is imperative that both carriers have competitive cost structures to support future growth opportunities. Each carrier may arrive at competitive costs in different ways.

Seniorities will not be merged since the companies are independent.

There are many questions and issues regarding employee travel privileges and benefits that we will have to work through. This may take some time, and there will not be immediate answers. Our general guiding principle will be to improve wherever possible.

Jerry Atkin will serve as chairman of the board and chief executive officer (CEO) of SkyWest, Inc., SkyWest Airlines and ASA. Brad Rich will serve as chief financial officer (CFO) for SkyWest, Inc., SkyWest Airlines and ASA. Ron Reber will serve as president of SkyWest Airlines, while Bryan LaBrecque will serve as interim president of ASA.

 

[Beechnut]

Straight from the Acquisition Q&A on skywest.com:

http://www.skywest.com/qa/index.php

The SkyWest, Inc. pay philosophies of being fair to employees while maintaining a competitive cost structure will be applied to both companies, but this does not necessarily mean that all pay scales will be identical. SkyWest, Inc. will be in the unique position of allocating resources, including growth aircraft to the two carriers, so it is imperative that both carriers have competitive cost structures to support future growth opportunities. Each carrier may arrive at competitive costs in different ways.

Seniorities will not be merged since the companies are independent.

There are many questions and issues regarding employee travel privileges and benefits that we will have to work through. This may take some time, and there will not be immediate answers. Our general guiding principle will be to improve wherever possible.

Jerry Atkin will serve as chairman of the board and chief executive officer (CEO) of SkyWest, Inc., SkyWest Airlines and ASA. Brad Rich will serve as chief financial officer (CFO) for SkyWest, Inc., SkyWest Airlines and ASA. Ron Reber will serve as president of SkyWest Airlines, while Bryan LaBrecque will serve as interim president of ASA.

Oh boy! There it is in Black and White. ASA guys, play nice or no more airplanes! SkyWest pilots, you guys don't have ANY say so you ARE the new whipsaw!

Forget merger, it's better for Management you two stay seperate!

S.

 

[Halo_RJdriver]

"best practices" should include $$$, work rules, etc.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

What are the chances of SkyWest getting ALPA on property ASAP? This whole union/non-union thing is just a little bit unnerving...

 

[Halo_RJdriver]

The union ring leaders here were laying low on our new contract of course now we know why mgmnt woulnd't budge.........now we have a whole new can of trash to take out. Hopefully we will ditch the talks for this year and vote in the union and renegoitate and set the standard for regionals for 2006 and beyond.

 

[Crash Pad]

If you are skywest why do you want the Union? Your company is aquiring regionals and growing more powerful than ever imagined. Maybe you can bring in ALPA and then what?

 

[puddlejumper101]

all i know is this will be very interesting. Skywest has managed to keep ALPA away somehow, and at ASA, without ALPA, we would be flying 30 days a month...different cultures, this can be good...at least looking at the glass half full theory...especially being here at ASA

 

[Mmmmmm Burritos]

So it looks like ASA can now fly for other airlines besides Delta?

Interesting news from United today- doesn't mention who will be flying them... or is this G0Jets?:

UPDATE 1-United to add bigger planes on commuter routes
Mon Aug 15, 2005 05:36 PM ET
(Adds with UAL exclusivity filing) CHICAGO, Aug 15 (Reuters) - United Airlines said on Monday it would add 26 planes with 66 or 70 seats to its commuter fleets, a shift to larger planes that one analyst said reflects the carrier's improved competitive position after years of restructuring.

United, a unit of UAL Corp. (UALAQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) , said the larger planes to be flown by its United Express partners would be in addition to the 74 larger, regional jets already in service. Most of the United Express jets have 50 seats.

Separately, United said it had sought a 60-day extension of its exclusive right in bankruptcy to file a reorganization plan.

Earlier this month, the airline delayed filing the plan until September after creditors requested additional time to review it.

United said it still intends to submit a business plan with the court next month but wants to extend its window for doing so until Nov. 1. The current period of exclusivity expires Sept. 1.

United still hopes to step out of Chapter 11 in the fall but the company has said emergence could be pushed back to early 2006. United has been in bankruptcy since December 2002.

The shift to bigger aircraft on commuter routes shows that United, in Chapter 11 since 2002, hopes to lure passengers by offering more leg room and perks on regional flights.

"United in bankruptcy has more flexibility now than other airlines in using the bigger (regional jets)," said Calyon Securities analyst Ray Neidl. "They're taking advantage of that."

"This is probably going to put more pressure on other carriers to do the same," Neidl said. "It will make their system more efficient."

United calls the new service "explus." It features Embraer SA's (EMBR4.SA: Quote, Profile, Research) Embraer-170 and Bombardier Inc.'s (BBDsvb.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) Canadair RJ-700 regional jets, which offer United First and Economy Plus seating, snack boxes, full-sized leather seats, large overhead bins and spacious cabins.

The No. 2 U.S. carrier said that scheduled flights out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport longer than two-and-a-half hours will be served by United mainline jets, Ted, which is United's low-cost carrier, or the new explus found on United Express.

A United spokeswoman said United's restructuring while in bankruptcy is dedicated to cutting costs but also to improving service.

"United's restructuring is about improving our cost structure and running a much better airline -- one that is relentlessly focused on the customer," said Jean Medina. "Explus is a key example of that."

 

[Halo_RJdriver]

Growth for Skywest means job security. It does matter however if your making 60 an hour at skywest and the asa pilot is making 70 ...then he ll yeah i want a union and better work rules. The problem with being an at will employee is you can be let go "at will"...who wants that?

 

[Grassstrippilot]

Sh!t, S3B city here we come


S3Bs??? You wish. Try S3Cs, domestic only (meaning western hemisphere basically). Also, say bye, bye to:

- Travel net
- S2s
- H-1 jumpseat priority
- buddy passes
- Your parents bennies (on mainline. Nothing but ID-75 or 90s for them)
- International travel days. Oh, you'll get three per year. Good for one R/T for one person to Europe.
- DECU (did we ever decide this one for sure?)

Disclaimer: This is based on what we had at my previous airline operating as a DCI carrier last year. I believe it is the same that all third party carriers get.

Sh!tty deal. Not to mention all the more important issues at hand.

 

["GO AROUND"]

You guys should be hoping we will raise the bar for you with the new contract!

 

[panamclipper]

Lower The Bar. Fly For 50 Seat Pay Bottom Feeders!!!!

What in the heck are you talking about?

 

[pinkbush]

So SkyWest took on a union. Now we'll see just how wonderful SkyWest management is. I think some folks are up for a rude awakening.

S.

All unions default

 

[rtmcfi]

You guys should be hoping we will raise the bar for you with the new contract!

You better believe it. Any OO (or other pilot for that mater) should be pulling hard for you. Hopefully you guys will finally get a decent contract. Don't cave like the OO folks. Show them how it's done! Drop some ALPA cards by the crew rooms while you are at it......

 

[~~~^~~~]

Sh!t, S3B city here we come

Also, say bye, bye to:
- DECU (did we ever decide this one for sure?)

Sh!tty deal. Not to mention all the more important issues at hand.

I read that our DECU membership will remain. After all, DECU is profitable and our business helps

 

[pinkbush]

You better believe it. Any OO (or other pilot for that mater) should be pulling hard for you. Hopefully you guys will finally get a decent contract. Don't cave like the OO folks. Show them how it's done! Drop some ALPA cards by the crew rooms while you are at it......

Show them how it's done?? Is that HOW IT's DONE? Unions fail airlines, you sit in front of your computer with a prime example! I do congradulate ASA for a better future but should care for that future. Leave the past behind

 

[FixNFly]

So if SkyWest has a union vote and its approved, does that mean mgmt can't keep ASA & SkyWest separate?

The ALPA "identical carrier" clause or whatever its called won't allow for two like carriers to be owned by the same company without merging the seniority lists(as my weak mind understands it).
Not that ALPA followed it when Delta bought ASA & Comair.

 

[Baronman]

Does this mean ASA guys don't have to wear their cheesy hats anymore?

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Sh!t, S3B city here we come


S3Bs??? You wish. Try S3Cs, domestic only (meaning western hemisphere basically). Also, say bye, bye to:

- Travel net
- S2s
- H-1 jumpseat priority
- buddy passes
- Your parents bennies (on mainline. Nothing but ID-75 or 90s for them)
- International travel days. Oh, you'll get three per year. Good for one R/T for one person to Europe.
- DECU (did we ever decide this one for sure?)

Disclaimer: This is based on what we had at my previous airline operating as a DCI carrier last year. I believe it is the same that all third party carriers get.

Sh!tty deal. Not to mention all the more important issues at hand.

Don't count on the above to remain the same. I'll bet Delta offers Skywest, Inc. employees a better travel deal. At least I'm hoping anyway. It certainly isn't set in stone yet...

 

[Oakum_Boy]

So if SkyWest has a union vote and its approved, does that mean mgmt can't keep ASA & SkyWest separate?

The ALPA "identical carrier" clause or whatever its called won't allow for two like carriers to be owned by the same company without merging the seniority lists(as my weak mind understands it).
Not that ALPA followed it when Delta bought ASA & Comair.

They may have to merge senority lists, but I don't think they have to merge the two companies. ALPA gurus, please correct.

 

[Heavy Set]

Delta wouldn't cover the debt of a non-owned entity...

I didn't see any mention of SKYW assuming XXXX million/billion in RJ debt as the General said would be a must when a sale would happen.

Did I miss this info in the press release??

First, I want to wish everyone luck in this process. As far as RJ debt is concerned, I am certain that the leases or RJ debt will be assigned to Skywest. Do you think that Delta would continue to guarantee the debt of a non-owned regional? Highly doubt it. Skywest will likely assume any debt or aircraft leases - period.

I agree that the whipsaw negotiating tool will likely be used in the future, unfortunately. For example, if the ASA guys don't agree to Skywest CR7 wages, then all growth will go to the "compliant" Skywest pilot group... And back and forth and back and forth - it's a classic negotiations strategy.

Good luck to everyone involved

 

[Erlanger]

Skywest just redesigned their website.

http://www.skywest.com/

check out the new combined routes.

http://www.skywest.com/routemaps/rm_img/asa_combined_72.gifhttp://www.skywest.com/routemaps/rm_img/asa_combined2_72.gif

 

[CarjCapt]

Crank up the NMB and the single carrier.....Here comes ALPA, Skywest