Comair News Hits!!!!!!

[RichO]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]DJ Comair To Reduce Operational And Employment Costs In Support Of Delta Air Lines' Transformation Plan>DAL[/FONT]
10/13/2005
Dow Jones News Services
(Copyright © 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)


(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0830ET
Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]*DJ Delta's Comair To Cut Costs By Up To $70M A Year >DAL[/FONT]
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0831ET
Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]*DJ Delta To Remove Up To 30 Aircraft From Comair Schedule[/FONT]
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0832ET
Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]*DJ Delta's Comair: 11 Aircraft To Leave Schedule By Dec.>DAL[/FONT]
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0833ET
Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]*DJ Delta's Comair To Cut Up To 1,000 Jobs >DAL[/FONT]
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0833ET
Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]*DJ Delta's Comair To Cut Pay For Officer, Non-Union Workers[/FONT]
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0834ET
Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]*DJ Comair Plans Talks With Unions To Cut Employment Costs[/FONT]
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0835ET
Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]*DJ Delta's Comair Aims To Reduce Dependence On 50-Seat Market[/FONT]
(MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0836ET
Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]DJ Delta To Cut 1,000 Comair Jobs, Seeks To Lower Costs >DAL[/FONT]
CINCINNATI (Dow Jones)--Delta Air Lines Inc.'s (DAL) regional unit, Comair, plans to cut up to 1,000 jobs to reduce costs by up to $70 million.
In a press release Thursday, Delta, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, said about 350 of the Comair job losses already were announced as part of a plan to trim service to and from Cincinnati.
In addition to layoffs, Comair will seek to cut pay for pilots by $17.3 million, flight attendants by $8.9 million and mechanics by $1 million.
Pilots are already under a pay freeze that began in June. Flight attendants are dealing with a new-hire scale.
In addition to union employees, Comair said it will seek to save $5.2 million by cutting pay to non-union workers.
Delta plans to remove up to 30 aircraft from Comair's schedule, including 11 by December.
The initial reductions stem from Delta's plans for its Cincinnati hub and will predominantly affect 50-seat planes. Long-term cuts will also target 40- ad 70-seaters.
Company Web site: http://www.comair.com
-Ian Salisbury; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5400; [email protected]
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
10-13-05 0909ET Copyright (c) 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

 

[IFlyFL410]

Changes Ahead For Comair

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Bumpy ride ahead for airline
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[FONT=verdana,arial]RELATED WCPO STORIES[/FONT]
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Comair Meets To Discuss Company's Future (10/12/05)

Comair Meets To Discuss Company's Future (10/06/05)

County, Airport Officials Meet Over Common Concerns (10/05/05)

Delta Files For Bankruptcy (9/14/05)
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Reported by: http://www.wcpo.com/wcpo/bios/Jay Warren
Web produced by: Neil Relyea
Photographed by: 9News
10/12/2005 11:07:49 PM
After hours of meeting behind closed doors Wednesday night, Comair employees aren't saying much about what was on the table.
This, of course, comes after Delta filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month and is looking to streamline it's operation.
A source has told 9News that they are looking at least two issues: pay cuts and a re-organization for some employees.
The meeting was held at Receptions banquet hall on Donaldson Highway in Erlanger.
No one stopped to talk to reporters about what was discussed. Calls to corporate communications did not yield any information either. The source for 9News though did discuss likely changes for employees inside the terminal, where supervisors and ticketing agents may have their jobs combined -- and some employees may have to re-apply for their jobs.

 

[noonan]

and so it begins.

 

[RichO]

any idea how many pilot cuts for 1000 jobs and 30 aircraft?

 

[Otto]

The magic number is....

any idea how many pilot cuts for 1000 jobs and 30 aircraft?

Rich,
The rule of thumb seems to be 10 pilots per aircraft so it sounds like it will be around 300 pilots. This blows. Does this mean you'll be spending some more time at Altus? (AC school)

 

["GO AROUND"]

Probably about 300 or so crews if they staff at 5 crews per ac. And 17 mil in concessions.

 

[CLE145CA]

If you assume a standard staffing of 5-6 crews per aircraft, then pilot layoffs would amount to somewhere between 300 and 360 of the 1,000. That is just my guess.

 

["GO AROUND"]

Oops, probably won't be concessions, they'll just impose it.

 

[Tim47SIP]

Rough times ahead!

DJ Delta's Comair Aims To Reduce Dependence On 50-Seat Marke

Comair is going to suffer here for a while, but I think in a year or two, they will come out smelling like a rose. This may be the key to start flying numerous 70+ - 99 seat aircraft. With the reduction of 30-50 seater's, I wonder where they will go? I doubt the desert, but who knows?

I would think that ASA/SKY should be able to absorb some of these already trained pilots (without interviewing). Good luck to you guys.

 

[RichO]

Rich,
The rule of thumb seems to be 10 pilots per aircraft so it sounds like it will be around 300 pilots. This blows. Does this mean you'll be spending some more time at Altus? (AC school)

Hmm, I don't know, they keep trying to get me to go......but.....we'll see....I think I'm just scared of Altus, there's nothing to do out there.......you heading to March?

 

[RichO]

DJ Delta's Comair Aims To Reduce Dependence On 50-Seat Marke

Comair is going to suffer here for a while, but I think in a year or two, they will come out smelling like a rose. This may be the key to start flying numerous 70+ - 99 seat aircraft. With the reduction of 30-50 seater's, I wonder where they will go? I doubt the desert, but who knows?

I would think that ASA/SKY should be able to absorb some of these already trained pilots (without interviewing). Good luck to you guys.

Yeah, I found that interesting in that they mentioned briefly larger than 70 seat aircraft

 

[IFlyFL410]

believe me, ASA would make them reinterview as if they'd never seen an RJ before.

 

[KingAirer]

Mesa adds 30 RJs and Comair loses 30 RJs...Dont think its a coiencedence.

 

[IFlyFL410]

nothing in this business is coincidence. One of the first things I learned a loooong time ago.

 

[FL000]

...without interviewing...

I can be pretty nice sometimes, but not that nice! I wouldn't even want some of our OWN pilots getting rehired without an interview.

 

[Otto]

Hmm, I don't know, they keep trying to get me to go......but.....we'll see....I think I'm just scared of Altus, there's nothing to do out there.......you heading to March?

No plans yet. The wife is in grad school here so I have to stay put at least until this summer. Rumors abound of J's or C-17's...we will see if our politicians can deliver the pork!!

 

[Otto]

To the boneyard...

Mesa adds 30 RJs and Comair loses 30 RJs...Dont think its a coiencedence.

Maybe I missed something here but I haven't heard anything of Mesa increasing their fleet. Skywest yes, but they were 70 seaters. I think these thirty Comair 50 seaters are headed to a nice long stay in the sands of Arizona. The market for fifties is saturated...who would want them?

 

[IFlyFL410]

Freedom started flying 30 RJs for Delta starting this month. That was announced sometime back in the early Spring or so, I believe.

 

[RichO]

They are talking about larger than 70 seat aircraft in the future.....maybe E170's and E190's.....what do you think????

 

[Wheres the van?]

Wasnt that carrott dangled during the pay freeze.

 

[RichO]

we just had air time on CNBC.........I should have shorted Delta stock a couple of months ago.....I would have made up for the pay cut

 

[fugghedabowdit]

How big is the backorder now on the E jets? I heard 4 years. That ship sailed already.

 

[RichO]

Are the E170's/190's cheeper to operate than the RJ's?

 

[CRJ puppy]

:bawling:

Well since no one here was at a meeting, here's the latest:

Block hrs. for CMR now reduced 26% instead of 14% starting Dec. 1st.

11 aircraft parked on Dec. 1st. Will contniue to use them as spares until picked up by lessors.

A/C utilization going from about 11 hrs/day to about 8.5 hrs/day never to return to previous utilization for forseeable future.

Renegotiating leases to get more favorable rates. Actual negotiated lease costs will determine how many a/c leave the fleet. Worst case scenario for now is 30 a/c leaving the fleet...all 50 seat planes.

Starting Dec. 1, GSO base decreases by about 15 crews or 25%; JFK increases by 10%, MCO was supposed to close but now going to keep it open, just in case...

Pilot furloughs: 220 - 440
Flight attendants: 110 - 220
Field Agents: 130 - 160
Managers/Support: 90 - 130
Mechanics: 40 - 50

Above ranges are based upon exactly how many a/c leave the fleet and how many people take voluntary separations, voluntary furloughs and leaves of absences. Incentives for the voluntaries is pending bankruptcy court approval but includes enhanced medical and travel bennies.

Timing. Voluntary separations & furloughs: Dec. 1st; Involuntary furloughs after the holidays. Bid for voluntary separations, furloughs, etc is to open up Oct. 19th.

In negotiations with unions for pay and work rule changes to achieve cost savings of $17.3 million from pilots, $8.9 million from Flight attendants and $1 million from mechanics. Looking for things like min. line reductions to lessen the furloughs and other benefit changes.

Fred takes a 15% pay cut, other officers and directors take 10%. Salaried take a 7%, hourly take a 4% cut.

Defined retirement contribution at high risk, 401(k) match ok. Changing precription drug plan (no cost changes to employee) and no plans to change health care provider for 2006.

Working on preferential hiring for furloughed CMR pilots at other DCI carriers.

That's about it.

Life sucks, then u die.

 

[Lance501]

Then all the little puppies run over to another DCI carrier. Which happens to be the places that under cut thier current employment. Management must just laugh at stupid pilots. No balls to say no and more that willing to work for less as long as they can fly a jet.

 

[logolight]

Be careful of those furlough dates. Independence Air announced furlough dates and later moved them up to expidite the cost cuts. I'd say get your resumes out NOW.

 

[logolight]

Working on preferential hiring for furloughed CMR pilots at other DCI carriers.

I would say Air Wisconsin. They can't find enough pilots. They gave us pref hiring at Independence and the interview was totaly informal (no sim). Class was only 3 1/2 weeks long because we were current and qualified in the CRJ.

 

[RichO]

:bawling:


Above ranges are based upon exactly how many a/c leave the fleet and how many people take voluntary separations, voluntary furloughs and leaves of absences. Incentives for the voluntaries is pending bankruptcy court approval but includes enhanced medical and travel bennies.

Timing. Voluntary separations & furloughs: Dec. 1st; Involuntary furloughs after the holidays. Bid for voluntary separations, furloughs, etc is to open up Oct. 19th.

When will the incentives for voluntaries be out??? Any more specifics on this?? Enhanced medical and travel bens?? How much more enhanced??

 

[CRJ puppy]

deleted...

 

[bvt1151]

Are the E170's/190's cheeper to operate than the RJ's?

No.

CRJ-700's are cheaper and cost less to operate than a 170. The CRJ-900/E190 difference is even greater.

The difference is in the revenue premium the Embraer jets can generate.