Comair to Furlough

[flyboyike]

Management doesn't need to create a bigger then necessary exodus by announcing accurate figures, so I figured they'd give a low ball figure to the pilot group

Why not? If they start a "bigger than necessary" exodus, the furlough problem might just resolve itself.

 

[CopilotDoug]

Why not? If they start a "bigger than necessary" exodus, the furlough problem might just resolve itself.

My line of thinking is that they don't want to find themselves in a pilot shortage i.e. they anounce 300 furloughs and 450 pilots end up leaving...then they need to put more money into training costs

 

[JECKEL]

"Management doesn't need to create a bigger then necessary exodus by announcing accurate figures"

An exodus to where? Home Depot?

 

[flyboyike]

My line of thinking is that they don't want to find themselves in a pilot shortage i.e. they anounce 300 furloughs and 450 pilots end up leaving...then they need to put more money into training costs

Well, then if they announce 150, 300 will leave and the situation will still resolve itself.

 

[flyboyike]

"Management doesn't need to create a bigger then necessary exodus by announcing accurate figures"

An exodus to where? Home Depot?

Good point. Good thing I still have my class B CDL.

 

[CopilotDoug]

Well, then if they announce 150, 300 will leave and the situation will still resolve itself.

Perhaps. What are other line pilots thinking? Are people expecting to weather the furloughs? Or are people getting antsy with the DAL/NWA merger? The 2 airlines don't need 6 feeders and the NWA feeders are cheaper to operate, right?

 

[CopilotDoug]

An exodus to where? Home Depot?

Where ever your Plan B, C, or D is.

 

[jws717]

Back in the fall of 2005 they hired people and trained them right up to furloughs in the Winter.

 

[DX Rick]

How long did those furloughs last? I didnt think we ever furloughed before.

 

[flyboyike]

How long did those furloughs last? I didnt think we ever furloughed before.

10-90 days.

 

[wmuflyguy]

How long did those furloughs last? I didnt think we ever furloughed before.

A couple people got JM'ed into their furlough. Their last day of work, they were out flying and crew scheduling calls and says we need you to overnite and fly a flight tomorrow (their first day of furlough).

They were all less than 90 days.

 

[CFI2766]

Perhaps. What are other line pilots thinking? Are people expecting to weather the furloughs? Or are people getting antsy with the DAL/NWA merger? The 2 airlines don't need 6 feeders and the NWA feeders are cheaper to operate, right?

Where'd you get that the NWA feeders were cheaper to operate? Any references? Stats?

I doubt that either side's feeders would be able to seen as 'cheaper'.

Doesn't really matter: I think we are all in for some tough times, regardless of what is painted on the tail.

 

[CopilotDoug]

Where'd you get that the NWA feeders were cheaper to operate? Any references? Stats?

Airlinepilotcentral.

I doubt that either side's feeders would be able to seen as 'cheaper'?

Yes...NWA's feeders are cheaper.

Doesn't really matter: I think we are all in for some tough times, regardless of what is painted on the tail.

But it does matter. This will either be an opportunity for whipsawing or consolidation using lower rates.

 

[CopilotDoug]

Heard it on the radio today: Comair to Furlough 300.
That sucks.

 

[crjdxr]

Right from Tricia Macke's DSLs last night, Comair to furlough 300 pilots and 200+ f/a's. Of course, they also had to talk about the possible 'silver lining', which was an idea that a LCC would zip in and make up the difference.

 

[Flyguy1226]

Can someone explain to me why Southwest, AirTran, etc. can't operate in/out of CVG?

 

[Medeco]

Can someone explain to me why Southwest, AirTran, etc. can't operate in/out of CVG?

Its not that they cant.

They dont want to, because it goes against the business model that works so well for them.

The same reason SWA wont fly into ATL.

Airtran is a bit different, but a similar theme.

SWA prefers to do quick turns and get off the ground asap, which is nearly impossible in large hubs. Obviously there is exceptions to the rule, but CVG isnt appealing to them.

Medeco

 

[johnboy99]

Can someone explain to me why Southwest, AirTran, etc. can't operate in/out of CVG?

Don't know if it is true but this is what I was told once upon a time when I asked a similiar question. Delta has something written in their contract with the Kenton County Airport Board (KCAB). It says that if the KCAB offers to lease a gate/jetway at a cheaper price to any other airline than what Delta pays they will get the same rate for all the gates they lease. It would go against the LCC model to pay a high price for gate space. Delta has owned CVG for years. That is about to come to an end with the merger. Don't think it will happen just take a look at PIT ala U.S.Air downsizing a hub to nothing then here comes Southwest. They may not close CVG but you are already seeing it downsize and will see more shortly.

SWA goes to IND and SDF. They already draw people away from CVG and you will not see them in there anytime soon. Airtran comes into Dayton. When Delta pulls more out of CVG and if this economy turns around you may one day see another LCC come in but not soon.

Good luck to all the guys/girls at Comair. You are a stand up class act and don't let Delta tell you any different. Don't forget the most important thing

MESA SUCKS

 

[DX Rick]

Who is this "Mesa" you all speak of?