Ata Update/ Latest

[mach zero]

Originally from Dart

Thats what they say! I myself am a poolie aswell.

Who was responding to embpic who said:

I am curious if this is what mgmt is asking for. I am a poolie and was wondering if I would be at first year fo pay for the next 2 years if the union accepted this?

Guys, the ATA MEC has NOT clarified what the company is asking for yet. They were in session today and we expect to hear back soon. There has been NO concessionary agreement offered up for us to vote on yet. At this time, we do NOT know if current / future probies would be frozen at first year pay for greater than first year. Any agreement on concessions would FIRST have to be ratified by vote by the membership. Just relax let this thing play out and STOP believing rumors.

 

[ataopsdave]

On the MEC line it said that they would open a new base and do more point to point in the near future. Also on a side note a CA told me they will be having upgrades and new hire class here shortly.

 

[mach zero]

Originally from his highness the General:
QUOTE]Where would ATA use the 717s? I am lost here. Would they replace planes? Be based at MDW? How would buying new airplanes be a concession?[/QUOTE]

From what I understand, the proposed B717 order would supplement our current fleet.

 

[MooseTrax]

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I listen to the MEC hotline and they use words like "abysmal" in reference to the companies economics and the CP hotline uses words like "dire" in reference to the same, it is pretty scary. Also when folks that have been there for a while say things like "I can't recommend coming here to work unless you're unemployed with no better options." it makes you think. There is no doubt when you talk to ATA folks that it is a fun place to work with great people and great airplanes, but the fact is there are some serious financial hurdles in short term that I think were unexpected. A lot of folks, me for one, figured that if/when the bond issue was worked out things would be looking up. Sadly I now wonder how things will go as it sounds like lots of concessions will be needed to avoid the big "B" word. Good luck to all those already there and those waiting.
Regards,

 

[Dart]

At this point....how bad would the big B be? Just a question!

Also, I would like to thank all ya guys for the great info! This site is pretty nice when you have lots of questions.

 

[727PAA]

Any rumors as to location of the new base? More point to point flying? Sounds like an East Coast base to me. Thanks to all who are keeping us wanna be's in the loop.

 

[FlyChicaga]

Any speculation on the best course of action for those of us exiled to the south ramp (Chicago Express)? Seems like half are saying to jump ship, and half are staying to hang on and wait things out. I'm starting to get dizzy going back and forth between the two. I hope I don't get an ulcer!

I love working here, but can't help but be a little concerned about the company's future...

 

[embpic]

Guys, the ATA MEC has NOT clarified what the company is asking for yet. They were in session today and we expect to hear back soon. There has been NO concessionary agreement offered up for us to vote on yet. At this time, we do NOT know if current / future probies would be frozen at first year pay for greater than first year. Any agreement on concessions would FIRST have to be ratified by vote by the membership. Just relax let this thing play out and STOP believing rumors.

Thanks for the info mach. I am not concerned about the rumors. I was just wondering about what possible concessions the company might ask for. This forum is one of the few resources I have to keep up to date on ATA.

Looking forward to flying with you fine folks.

 

[mach zero]

Originally from MooseTrax:

I don't know about the rest of you, but when I listen to the MEC hotline and they use words like "abysmal" in reference to the companies economics and the CP hotline uses words like "dire" in reference to the same, it is pretty scary. Also when folks that have been there for a while say things like "I can't recommend coming here to work unless you're unemployed with no better options." it makes you think. There is no doubt when you talk to ATA folks that it is a fun place to work with great people and great airplanes, but the fact is there are some serious financial hurdles in short term that I think were unexpected. A lot of folks, me for one, figured that if/when the bond issue was worked out things would be looking up. Sadly I now wonder how things will go as it sounds like lots of concessions will be needed to avoid the big "B" word. Good luck to all those already there and those waiting.

In my opinion, you have to take what was said by the company with a grain of salt. There are 2 large employee groups in negotiations right now (mechanics and ramp workers). Plus they want us pilots to give up a hard fought for contract. The picture the company paints is therefore not going to be be very rosy. They know getting what they want from us will be a hard sale. I am waiting for the MEC to report back from their economic analysis then I will decide.

 

[mach zero]

From FlyChicaga:

Any speculation on the best course of action for those of us exiled to the south ramp (Chicago Express)? Seems like half are saying to jump ship, and half are staying to hang on and wait things out. I'm starting to get dizzy going back and forth between the two. I hope I don't get an ulcer!

First, no airline job is safe anymore however, I would not do anything drastic yet. We don't have all the FACTS. I would be more concerned if we had been in bankruptcy for awhile and our finances still looked bad. I am a bit skeptical on how we could go from a profitable 2003 to the situation they claim we are in now. I believe we are losing money but I will wait to hear what the union says after its analysis then consider the facts and make a decision. Besides, how can they be contemplating a large aircraft order with no money and poor credit? To me something sounds fishy.

 

[rudderdog]

Where would ATA use the 717s? I am lost here. Would they replace planes? Be based at MDW? How would buying new airplanes be a concession?

Bye Bye--General Lee

Hopefully they are using the 717s to bypass the whole "RJ" thang. What a concept....

If you really what to know what I think... And I know you do...ATA-Airtran-Hawaiian, CEO-Don Carty

"Three great airlines, One great future"

 

[vclean]

Any speculation on the best course of action for those of us exiled to the south ramp (Chicago Express)? Seems like half are saying to jump ship, and half are staying to hang on and wait things out. I'm starting to get dizzy going back and forth between the two. I hope I don't get an ulcer!

I love working here, but can't help but be a little concerned about the company's future...

Since you are in the bottom half of the FO list, I would consider looking elsewhere. Movement is going to be very slow for the near (6-8 months) future.

 

[PingPong]

Anybody have any advice for me being in the current pool at Chicago Express? When I interviewed last December things looked to be ready to expand and growth looked positive. Now hearing all this what are my chances on getting a class this year and being happy there once I do get hired? I know things have slowed down but hearing all this makes me nervous being an upcoming new hire. AHHHHHH!

 

[Pickle]

Dash 8 Q400

So we are coming down the ILS to 4R to MDW this afternoon, and what do I see awaiting takeoff clearance but a great big long Dash 8 Q400. Now what was that doing in MDW??

 

[saabcaptain]

The Q400 is on a tour of many airlines (including Chicago Express.) I haven't seen any *real* intrest in it... but hey a free ride is a free ride right?

To FlyChicaga... if you feel you have competive hours to get on with another regional offering RJ time and you are fairly confident of reasonable upgrade times you have to at least consider it. I can't imagine we won't have more direction on the status of our company within the next 12 months... but if that direction is going to be positive or negative, is IMHO anyones guess.

 

[Pickle]

Will the Dash 8 Q400 even fit on the south ramp?

Did you ride in it? If so, how did you like it?

 

[ataopsdave]

Will the Dash 8 Q400 even fit on the south ramp?

Did you ride in it? If so, how did you like it?

I am not sure if it will fit there or not. 2 of my boss' flew on it today and they said it is a good ride. I would have to agree with SAABCAPTAIN in that there is no real interest, just a stop on the sales tour.

ATAOPSDAVE

 

[FlyChicaga]

Will the Dash 8 Q400 even fit on the south ramp?

Did you ride in it? If so, how did you like it?

First question, nope. It is just about exactly the length of the south ramp.

I rode in it, and I was very impressed. From a pilot standpoint, and a passenger standpoint, it seemed like a great airplane. Very quiet, due to the active noise dampening (not ANR, but mechanical dampeners). You don't even need the heavy DC headset clamps it's so quiet. Telex's are the way to go. Large galley, APU, very powerful engines, good range, fuel efficient, fast, etc. Honestly, I highly doubt we are going to get them anytime soon, if ever. I'd hope they would, since we could most likely make some good profits with them. Whatever we do, we need to get rid of the Saabs IMHO.

saabcaptain,

I'm not really keen on the idea of leaving, but I also don't want to end up unemployed with no direction. I figure I'll hang on for a while longer, particularly since I doubt I'm marketable to many other airlines. I hope to see good things happen here. We'll just have to wait and see. 12 months won't be too long. I'm coming up on month 10 here, and it seems like I just finished new-hire class yesterday. I still remember what questions I missed on the systems exam...

 

[ataopsdave]

FLYCHICAGA

I guess the Q400 breaks even with something like 22 pax at a 85 dollar fare.

 

[FlyChicaga]

Yeah, in the packet they gave us it has a BELF chart for the different seating configurations. For the 78-seat configuration, it was 44? at $50, and like you said 22 seats for the 70-seat configuration at $85 fare.