Delta is in talks with SkyWest to sell one or both of its regional airlines.

[IFLYASA]

Yes, Skywest reps were in ATL recently taking in an overall look at the ASA operation.


Then they saw the FA's and promptly left on the first available flight to SLC.

Medeco

Medeco

You just cracked me up!!

 

[General Lee]

first of all, didn't you get the memo from management. The reason they closed the dfw base is because DELTA was sucking wind out there. If anything ASA Skywest and Comair helped relieved the pile of money you guys loved to burn out there. General lee, it is not like you to lie about facts of your own airline. Usually your pretty accurate. STAY THAT WAY!

HA! Riiiight. The reason we initially downsized DFW is because we needed some of the planes to replace mainline service that was now being used for the new Song start up. Mainline 757s were being transferred to Song, and other mainline planes---738s and MD-88s/90s were being pulled from DFW to cover other flights. So, management thought "hey, a CR7 or CRJ can fill in for a mainline bird...." WRONG. AA kicked our (your) a$$. Hmmmmm--Should I fly a CR7 from DFW to SNA or OAK and be cramped, or should I fly an AA MD80 or 757? Hmmmm. RJs scared away most of our Medallion flyers in DFW----they all left for someone else. That really is the truth Tex. Even Grinstein said RJ flights should be limited in time.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Oakum_Boy]

So what is your point? Delta, the company YOU work for, made poor choices regarding DFW. Is that somehow ammunition for the war against RJ pilots?

 

[IFLYASA]

I'd rather be bought out by Skywest then Mesa. How about ASA and Comair merge and be a seperate company? Just need a buyer...

 

[uba757]

Interesting idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FlyComAirJets]

Be careful what you wish for.

Didn't Johnny O. at Mesa make a hostile run on ACA/Independance just after the pull out? There were rallies, buttons, the works. Beware. he could just be a disruptive influence for the pure sake of causing trouble.

 

[General Lee]

So what is your point? Delta, the company YOU work for, made poor choices regarding DFW. Is that somehow ammunition for the war against RJ pilots?

No, I was correcting Southtex. Delta did make some mistakes, namely giving DFW to RJs and thinking it could survive against AA. But, we did correct that mistake eventually. Live and learn.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[MedFlyer]

HA! Riiiight. The reason we initially downsized DFW is because we needed some of the planes to replace mainline service that was now being used for the new Song start up. Mainline 757s were being transferred to Song, and other mainline planes---738s and MD-88s/90s were being pulled from DFW to cover other flights. So, management thought "hey, a CR7 or CRJ can fill in for a mainline bird...." WRONG. AA kicked our (your) a$$. Hmmmmm--Should I fly a CR7 from DFW to SNA or OAK and be cramped, or should I fly an AA MD80 or 757? Hmmmm. RJs scared away most of our Medallion flyers in DFW----they all left for someone else. That really is the truth Tex. Even Grinstein said RJ flights should be limited in time.


Bye Bye--General Lee

Just because you keep repeating the same lie over and over again still doesn't make it true.

DL has continually lost money at DFW. Even when DL had 250 mainline flights at DFW...they lost money. I remember when DL mainline flew DCA-DFW...they were lucky to get a 50% LF. After a while, management got tired of the constant losses and brought RJ's in to reduce those losses. The RJ's did reduce DL's losses, but not nearly enough to make DFW viable. Management finally pulled the plug last year.

 

[difete]

The thread of the century

THIS THREAD MAY GROW TO BE THE BIGGEST ONE IN THIS SERVER!!

I dont even know what to think on this? Good vs Bad?
If anything will come out of this, is going to take a while,
dont think the high end people rush into things like this
so quickly.

If anything materializes from this, I hope all pilot groups
from all the companies involved have a fair share.

 

[N2264J]

Re: Delta is in talks...

And, I am only 40............ How old are you?

The fact that you passed Delta's psychological testing for pilots may be one of the most bizarre mysteries in aviation that I have ever witnessed. You would make a truly remarkable case study of the relevance of such testing in assessing a maturity level or perhaps just an indictment of the profile Delta was trying to achieve at the time: ie image over substance.

Fascinating stuff. So much more interesting to me than the prospect of Skywest buying ASA/Comair.

 

[General Lee]

Just because you keep repeating the same lie over and over again still doesn't make it true.

DL has continually lost money at DFW. Even when DL had 250 mainline flights at DFW...they lost money. I remember when DL mainline flew DCA-DFW...they were lucky to get a 50% LF. After a while, management got tired of the constant losses and brought RJ's in to reduce those losses. The RJ's did reduce DL's losses, but not nearly enough to make DFW viable. Management finally pulled the plug last year.

And the CR7 flights really helped keep the frequent flyers! We probably lost all or most of our best customers after we started the CR7 long range stuff. Then we just sold to the lowest bidder. Hey, RJs always save the day---just ask Mike Boyd. Moving planes around to cover for the Song 757s was the problem----and it isn't a lie.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

The fact that you passed Delta's psychological testing for pilots may be one of the most bizarre mysteries in avaition that I have ever witnessed. You would make a truly remarkable case study of the relevance of such testing in assessing a maturity level or perhaps just an indictment of the profile Delta was trying to achieve at the time: ie image over substance.

Fascinating stuff. So much more interesting to me than the prospect of Skywest buying ASA/Comair.

There is a very good chance that you will never even make it to the psych exam!


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Oakum_Boy]

RJ's are the cancer of the industry. It's too bad ALPA didn't take care of this disease when they had the chance. Sorry General, it's not our fault. We just fly airplanes and do the best we can to put food on the table, like it or not.

 

[Typhoon1244]

C'mon, guys. Delta let this story leak to scare the piss out of the ASA guys.

(It appears to be working. 'Scuse me...I gotta go to the john.)

 

[MedFlyer]

Moving planes around to cover for the Song 757s was the problem----and it isn't a lie.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Yes, it is a lie.

Delta began pulling DFW down in the late 90's. By time Song was launched, DL had already reduced DFW from its peak of 250 mainline down to 120. Let me repeat that for you General, DL had already cut DFW mainline in half BEFORE Song was ever heard of.

After the launch of Song, DL had over 30 732's that had been flying Delta Express. These aircraft were now free to be sent wherever DL wanted. These aircraft could have been used as backfill out of DFW for the shorter haul stuff. This would then have allowed DL to keep 738/MD90s available for the longer DFW routes.

The launch of Song was purely an aircraft swap-out...it didn't shrink the size of DL's mainline fleet. If DL had thought mainline could make money in DFW, they would have put the planes there.

 

[jarhead]

C'mon, guys. Delta let this story leak to scare the piss out of the ASA guys.

(It appears to be working. 'Scuse me...I gotta go to the john.)

Whether it's a "leak" or a legitimate press release doesn't seem to matter, IMHO. It "is what it is". It will be interesting to follow the developments. Maybe something will happen, or this SkyWest acquisition talk will break down and fizzle out.

 

[RichO]

Comair Sale A Rumor, Says Company's President

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Reported by: http://www.wcpo.com/wcpo/bios/9News & AP
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Last updated: 3/8/2005 12:35:20 PM





Comair's president says the company is viewing a report that Delta might sell Comair as "a rumor."

Fred Buttrell says The Wall Street Journal's Tuesday report "are not based on fact as it applies to Comair.

The newspaper reported that Delta Air Lines Inc. is in talks with SkyWest Inc. to sell one or two of its regional feeder carriers.

Delta has said publicly in the past that it was evaluating all of its assets, including its feeder carriers Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines, as it seeks to return to profitability. The company lost more than $5 billion last year and has been racked by continually high fuel prices.

Comair is based at Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport.

The Journal said Bradford Rich, chief financial officer of SkyWest, said at an investor conference Monday in Orlando, Fla., that the discussions were in the early stages. Rich did not say if SkyWest was interested in one or both of the feeder carriers.

"We think we're in the best position of anyone to take advantage of this type of opportunity," Rich was quoted as saying. A SkyWest spokeswoman at the company's headquarters in St. George, Utah, could not immediately confirm Rich's comments or provide a transcript of the comments when reached Tuesday by The Associated Press.

Asked about the report, Delta spokesman John Kennedy said Tuesday, "It's Delta policy not to comment on industry rumor or speculation. It would be inappropriate for us to discuss Mr. Rich's comments."

Fred Buttrell, Comair President, gave the following statement at noon on Tuesday:

"Comair has not been asked by anyone to conduct any due diligence.

News reports on this topic are not based on fact as it applies to Comair.

Delta has commented that it constantly evaluates assets for maximum value. This has led to rumors and speculation that it may monetize Comair and/or ASA.

Comair views this just like any rumor and we will not allow it to distract the airline from its mission to ensure operational reliability, customer service excellence and to achieve a winning growth strategy Whether independent or wholly owned Comair's success is based on its ability to execute in these three focus areas."

 

[RoyalAviation2]

This reporter was just looking for a story. This will be just another rumor in two or three months that never materialized. I ain't losing sleep over it.

 

[Yudso]

So, was the Comair LOA just a way to sweeten the pot for a potential buyer?

 

[sleepy]

Very ironically stated by somebody who probably PFT'd.

Actually, I never PFTed at ASA. I was hired in 2000 and quit in 2004. But I am willing to bet that you voted to lower the bar at Comair for the chance to maybe fly an E-170. Now if you are sold to Skywest, you will be back in the E-120, and some Skywest E-120 FO will be a Capt on the E-170 that you took a play cut to fly (and he will be flying it for CRJ 50 seat pay to boot). LOL!

 

[Dave Benjamin]

You are incorrect Sleepy. I did not vote to lower the bar at CMR.

 

[Morning Wood]

Each time SKYW has bought an airline the employees of the acquired airline have
really gotten the short end of the stick. If SKYW does buy ASA or CA I would be very surprised to see the ASA or CA guys get treated fairly. The only hope they have is that ALPA may be able to broker some sort of Allegheny/Mohawk merger deal. Once on property, they could maybe get ALPA on property and things wouldn't be so bad for them. That is probably the best case scenario. The worst case scenario is Jerry A. getting his wish to just buy the assets and then hire the employees that he needs. That would most likely be in reverse seniority order like it was when they bought WestAir.

It would be better if XJT was to buy ASA and CA. Then there would be one huge A$$ ALPA regional carrier that might just have a little leverage to shake things up a bit in the regional industry. I've heard around town that DAL execs have also had a few working dinners with the XJT guys about this same issue. It makes sense to have more than one company in on the bidding to see who will give them the most cash. The only reason you don't hear about XJT in on the deal is that their execs can keep their mouths shut and the SKYW guys are always running their mouths about stuff they shouldn't.

The only airline Skywest ever bought was Sun Aire. West Air was out
of business when their assets were picked up.

 

[Morning Wood]

Someone just posted a successorship clause right before this post. If this is for CMR, ASA or both, you are covered. If an airline does not have this, there could be trouble.

Lacking a successorship clause, it depends on whether or not the company's are "operationally integrated". This is unlikely. Odds are things will remain quite the same. If they are integated, CMR and ASA guys are screwed. This is the worse case scenario. Skywest can do what they want. At least they will finally be union...

With no integration, all are screwed to some degree. Can you say whipsaw???

XJT did NOTHING when we were sold off from CAL. The capacity purchase agreement was set up as part of the IPO. It did not come afterwards.

This is one more reason why SCOPE even at the small jet level is such an important issue. The XJT scope clause guarantees us fair and equitable seniority integration with ANYONE that buys us and integrates the operations.

Good luck to all of my ALPA bro's at CMR and ASA. I wish you the best.

Dude....I didn't really read your post...I couldn't get past the aviatar. I about
choked on my ice water. Too funny

 

[TX_DFW]

DELTA PRESS RELEASE

March 8, 2005

Several media outlets are reporting that officials from SkyWest Airlines have expressed an interest in acquiring one or more of Delta's wholly owned subsidiaries. Consistent with longstanding policy, Delta will not comment publicly on such stories. Delta has said repeatedly that the Delta Connection program remains a strategic component of the network. Employees of Delta Connection carriers have long played a critical role in delivering good service to Delta customers. Delta intends to continue its use of regional carriers to provide efficient, reliable service to customers.

I guess you have to chose who you believe.

 

[VABB]

maybee skywest will pick up the frj's as well...if skywest picks up ASA and Comair then they can do what ALPA at ASA and Comair have been pushing for over the last few years, have one airline. Although, it would be interesting to see how they would merge the airlines with non-union and union.

The union thing won't be an issue for SkyWest. Comair/ASA guys will be stapled to the bottom. If they don't like it, they will be forced to look for work elsewhere. What's ALPA going to do, take a non-existent union to court and sue them? SkyWest has the cash, they have the upper hand, and they call the shots.

 

[patriotflier]

Finally after 6 pages of stuff....Yudso hit the nail right on the head!

So, was the Comair LOA just a way to sweeten the pot for a potential buyer?

Fred is denying what he has known for some time....It is no secret that Delta has Comair on the market. By the comair pilots voting in the Pay freeze it made Comair much more attractive for a buyout.

Don't you think it is ironic that Fred becomes CEO, pushes for a pay freeze and then all of a sudden Comair/ASA are on the used car lot for sale? Kinda sounds like a person inheriting a cheap car, reconditions it and then goes to the auction to sell if for a huge profit.

I am more shocked about ASA being talked about in a buy out! Did'nt see that one coming!!!!!!

As people have mention about DFW....That has no bearing on this situation at all!!!!! DFW has been lodsing money for 9 years. THe competition in Dallasa is fierce including the airline most people forget to mention SWA! You cannot compete with SW with an RJ...Just can't happen! This has absolutely no bearing on this possible buy out. So drop the issue.

Bottom line is Comair is going to be sold and ASA very well MAYbe sold also and there is not a dam thing we can do to stop, control or influence the decision Mother Delta will make. The only thing we could possible do is to band together and purchase the airline ourselves. I really can't say I have that type of money laying around in my bank account.

 

[FL000]

repeat delete

 

[FL000]

The union thing won't be an issue for SkyWest. Comair/ASA guys will be stapled to the bottom. If they don't like it, they will be forced to look for work elsewhere. What's ALPA going to do, take a non-existent union to court and sue them? SkyWest has the cash, they have the upper hand, and they call the shots.

Just what Skywest needs...300 shiny, new planes and no one to fly them. I'm sure it won't take them long to get 3,000 new pilots up to speed, though.

 

[treetopflyer]

hey hey, here is some food for the fire.


www.careerbuilder.com

search for pilot under job search, about ten entries down is an ad for skywest pilots out of....... your guessed it HOTLANTA. chew on that while you fight amongst yourselves for the scraps of this industry.

 

[BID]

I think Brad Rich, CFO of SkyWest might of said too much!

"A SkyWest spokeswoman at the company's headquarters in St. George, Utah, could not immediately confirm Rich's comments or provide a transcript of the comments when reached Tuesday by The Associated Press. "

Huh? Our website is usually really quick to point out negative news information on our home page. "Comair freezes pay" "UAL losing money" etc. etc, but I have yet to see anything about this "rumor".

Our jet orders end this summer and WallStreet wants us to start using our money. Maybe this rumor is true????????

Time will tell, I just hope I am gone before anything happens, JetBlue! please take me away.