TWA Dude said:
The new airline does not abrogate their recall rights. That's a false rumor. The furloughees will be recalled when we start hiring again. The Transition Agreement will dictate the terms but I would expect them to receive longevity pay and a seniority number at the bottom. When the combined seniority list integration is complete it's theoretically possible that their number could be adjusted but I don't anticipate that happening.
Just some points in general to both sides: no pilot here is "entitled" to any job. The airline owns the flying, not the pilots. None of us deserves anything less than the best we can negotiate. If a USA guy says he wants a DOH integration I take no offense because that's merely a bargaining position. AWA is the financially better-off carrier but as I preached during the TWA/AA integration I don't believe a pilot's worth is determined by the financial health of his employer. Recognizing that each side has very different opinions as to what constitutes fairness I suspect it will come down to the arbitrator and come what may we'll have to accept it. As always the bitterness will last forever for some but most of us will deal with it and move forward.
TWA Dude, We can always count on you for a voice of reason when the argument gets heated. I agree with absolutely everything you said!!
For the others,
How many times do we have to say that the name of the company means NOTHING. There are no wrenches, curve balls, etc...by calling our new company USAirway's. The name is actually being assigned to the merger of America West Holdings and the Barbell Corporation which holds custodialship over the USAirway's Group in this transaction. If you are bored, they just put out a few hundred page prospectus on the merger that you can read. It explains the transaction in great detail.
The Company and both MEC's have agreed to hire pilots from the US Airway's furlough list before taking from the pool. The terms aren't public but our MEC did put out a blastmail stating that the off the street pool guys are basically out of luck. There will be NO true new hires at US Airway's or AWA for many years.
The details of the furloughed pilots return is unknown by us line people, and any statements regarding pay, seniority, etc...are pure speculation.
It seems that the AAA guys forgot that AWA operated 747's for a few YEARS. I have flown with many captains that flew the 747's. To say that these guys never had a hope of flying wide bodied equipment again is just pure speculation again. You would have to be a fly on the wall of the AWA BOD to truly know future fleet plans.
Should you be fenced off 757 Hawaii flying because you didn't bring it to the table?
Fences can be dangerous. Careful what you wish for. Most guys don't want your 330/767 flying.
Back to the original topic. The furloughed pilots of AAA will be considered at the newco before any poolies or off the street hires. That is all we know.