FreedomAirlines "Mission Statement"

[DBacks]

For your enjoyment... from their website.
http://www.freedomairline.com About Freedom Airlines

It is the vision of Freedom Airlines' management that this carrier will be based on a new relationship between management and employees, based on mutual respect and trust that provides opportunity for growth and professional advancement. We intend to break the mold of traditional management-employee relationships in favor of dialogue, personal interaction and individual responsibility.

History has shown that the business as usual mentality that pervades much of the airline industry is fundamentally flawed. We want to challenge traditional thinking and create an open atmosphere where all employees perform their responsibilities with the overreaching goal of customer satisfaction. This endeavor will require teamwork and a firm belief in our organizational mission. To accomplish these goals, changes must be made from the top down.

Accordingly, management at Freedom Airlines has attempted to incorporate the best of "what works" in its compensation, work rules and policies. Our policies were developed in close association with active pilots and were drafted in a way to maximize both lifestyle issues important to pilots while assuring the productivity necessary for the organization's success.

We look forward to making Freedom Airlines a unique workplace experience. In order to achieve this goal our highest priority is to treat our employees as well as our customers in a helpful, friendly and respectful manner. Freedom Airlines believes in an atmosphere of teamwork fostered through common goals and the collective effort of all involved.




© Copyright 2003, Freedom Airlines. All Rights Reserved.

 

[Jetscream32]

I guess that worked for what, 6 months. Now they get to come back to the MAG and deal with it. I don't know that I will ever consider giving a Freedom pilot the time of day. Inside the plane is a different story, but on the ground no way. I find most of them responsible for me being out of work going on one year. Good news is if the new TA passes I will jump over all the new hire Freedom guys and some that jumped from Mesa. Welcome to the new MAG!

 

[DBacks]

Guess I haven't kept up on the goings-on at Mesa, its subsidiaries, etc. Is Freedom going away? Are they being merged into Mesa?

 

[big dog1]

If the TA passes, the pilots have yet to vote.

 

[WileE]

Yep, if it passes.

And it really should be a no brainer for the union guys to pass it. The biggest give away is that unlike all the other contract talk in the past months Johnny O is "NOT" trying to sell this one to the pilots. He has been conspicuously silent since the TA came into being. That's not like him, if this was anything towards his favor he'd be dishing out the propaganda for it with a steam shovel. He's desperately hoping that the pilots won't pass it so that he can trash the scope clause that he suckered himself into.

Basically, if the TA is passed, Freedom ceases to exist as a separate carrier and all it's assets (planes and pilots) will be sucked back into Mesa. While there is no specific requirement for the Freedom name to go away, it will because there will no longer be any benefit to maintaining the seperate certificate with all the associated, redundant costs.

 

[Juan Valdez]

Freedum Ass

To all you Freedom guys. You are the S_IT on my front lawn that my dog drops off ervery morning. You have bent over with out lube all your Mesa ALPA brothers and their families. You will never be forgotten as well as your NAMES!!!

 

[General Lee]

I have a question. Will those Freedum CRJ70 Capts now be bumped to Air Midwest BE-1900 FO's with DOH seniority? That would be interesting!! Capt on a nice 70 seat RJ flying on the Civet Arrival to LAX one day, to an FO and hand flying a BE1900 in the bumps and dust for 2 hours to a hazy visual approach to Lake Havasu City the next. Bummer.

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Cardinal]

FreedomAirlines "Mission Statement"

I need a hug!

 

[big dog1]

Mesa TA

Mesa MEC

Tentative Agreement Summary


----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------



Section 1: Recognition



New NMB certificate number for:
Mesa Airlines
Air Midwest
CCAir
Freedom Airlines
All flying performed by "Mesa Air Group" Pilots
Length of wet lease/contract flying time now 60 days versus 90 days
No creation of "alter-ego" airlines
"Successorship" and "Transfer of Assets" language
Protection of pilots if Mesa Air Group acquires/transfers
subsidiaries
Allows pilots the opportunity to follow aircraft if assets are
transferred


Section 2: Definitions



"Company" - now includes:
Mesa Airlines
Air Midwest
CCAir
Freedom Airlines
Any other airlines acquired or established by Mesa Air Group
"Pilot" - now references "Mesa Air Group"
Other New Definitions reflect FAA training terms


Section 3: Compensation



Pay increases are guaranteed
New rate increases every 18 months
Addition of Company's 97.5% Controllable Cancellation pay
Controllable defined as:
Schedule adjustments
Mechanical
Aircraft damage
Crew
Historic average from Mar 2000 to Oct 2002
98.1%
Of the 32 months, 8 months would not have met the requirements
Company will now pay 150% for all open time flying, including Junior
Availability


Section 4: Minimum Bid Period Guarantee



Current Book


Section 5: Expenses



Rate of $1.15/hour with annual increase based upon CPI
Language added requiring the Company and Association to meet
regarding any lodging concerns
Transportation for PHX based pilots from PHX to Williams Gateway
Training Facility
Moving expenses:
Company pays up to 9000 lbs of household goods through an agreed upon
moving company, or
Company will pay an allowance plus $500 if pilot self moves with an
agreed upon truck/van rental (Ryder, U-Haul)


Section 6: Deadhead



Current Book


Section 7: Vacation



Vacation week Sunday through Saturday
All 52 weeks eligible for bid
Cancellation notice
4 weeks, previously 2 weeks
Any documented non-refundable deposit reimbursed for cancelled
vacations (except for voluntary training)
Annual bid


Section 8: Sick Leave



Sick leave buy back program (productivity incentives)
"Catastrophic Illness Protection"


Section 9: Leaves of Absence



Jury Duty may be vacation or sick leave


Section 10: Physical Examinations



Incorporates System Board settlement
Chief Pilot's or designee's request for doctor's notes with
reasonable cause


Section 11: Training



Notification Requirements
7 days for training
5 days for PC/PT
considered notified until returned to line
Training contracts are now straight line amortization
50% reduction for 45 days notification of resignation
Set dollar amounts for Jet, TP 20-40 seat, TP 0-19 seat
SA transportation to training center in PHX for PHX based pilots


Section 12: Hours of Service



Minimum Days Off
Line Holders: minimum 10 days off per bid in domicile or TDY domicile
Reserve/Mixed Line Holder: minimum of 8 days off per bid in domicile
or TDY domicile
Pilots in training current practice


Section 13: Scheduling



Consecutive days off to 3 groups of 3 days for lineholders
(Company's
best effort)
Consecutive days of to 2 groups of 3 days for reserves (to the extent
possible)


New Timeline for Scheduling Distribution

CB=Current Bargaining Agreement, TA=Tentative Agreement




§ Pilots required to fly carryover trips

§ During Integration, FAR conflicts will be resolved by
dropping either shifts or segments

§ Uncovered flying created during integration will be
assigned to pilots, in the following order:

o Line Holders

o Mixed line holders

o For IOE or consolidation

o Reserve

§ Call Me First (CMF)/Call Me Last (CML)

§ Extended Reserve Call Out provision

§ Ready Reserve incorporated

§ Company has right to reserve up to 5% of all known
flying
for consolidation only

§ Continuous Duty Overnight cannot be scheduled for more
than
14 hours of continuous duty



Section 14: Transfer to Non Flying or Supervisory Duty



Management/Supervisory pilot return
Will return to a vacancy as per Section 23
Previously, came back solely on seniority
Pilots who transfer between the training department and the line
Instructors awarded domiciles in accordance with seniority
Now paid according to their equipment and seat as per Section 23
Instructors will not appear on the bid roster for bidding a line when
assigned to the Training Department
Instructors that are not in the domicile for the entire bid, will not
be on the roster
Instructors returning to their domicile in the middle of a bid, will
be assigned reserve until entitled to bid a line


Section 15: Miscellaneous Flying



Dual qualifications
No dual qualifications required (aircraft)
Only for Supervisory pilots
Previously for training pilots






Section 16: Seniority



All reference to Mesa Airlines, now Mesa Air Group
Posting of Seniority List
Now on computer
Previously via bulletin board


Section 17: Furlough and Recall



Unlimited recall duration (previously 6 years)
Recall bypass rights
all junior pilots to furlough are recalled
at 12 months from date of furlough


Section 18: Grievances



Attempt to resolved issues with department supervisor


Section 19: Discipline and Discharge



No suspension will be without pay pending an investigation
Exception, an immediate FAA certificate action for safety issues


Section 20: System Bard of Adjustment



Language changed to current practice


Section 21: Agency Shop and Dues Check Off



Inclusion of ALPA PAC dues check off
Complete membership information provided monthly


Section 22: General



Commuter Policy
Crew lounge, language requiring cooperation between the company and
the Association


Section 23: Filing of Vacancies



Permanent Vacancy
more than 112 days (4 bid periods)
previously 120 days
Temporary Vacancy
14 to 112 days
Previously 14 to 120 days
Posting of temporary vacancy language
No less than 3 days
Previously 72 hours
Vacancies postings require a 10 day notice, previously 7 days
New submission of bid will be via:
Fax
Electronic
Certified Mail
Car mileage allowance rate while on TDY
CONUS
Previously, 0.20/mile

Equipment Commitments
18 months for Turboprop CA
36 months for Jet CA
TP F/O can only move to CA on same equipment or to CA on jet
ERJ pilot can move to CRJ (fleet combination)
CRJ CA can NOT move to ERJ, except for substitution/displacement
No seat locks
Pilots will be trained and qualified on all aircraft derivatives


Section 24: Insurance Benefits



After 24 months the Company will guarantee a 2% match on 401(K)


Section 25: Duration



54 months from date of signing 15 Equipment Commitments

 

[azpilot]

I have a question. Will those Freedum CRJ70 Capts now be bumped to Air Midwest BE-1900 FO's with DOH seniority? That would be interesting!! Capt on a nice 70 seat RJ flying on the Civet Arrival to LAX one day, to an FO and hand flying a BE1900 in the bumps and dust for 2 hours to a hazy visual approach to Lake Havasu City the next. Bummer.

Bye Bye---General Lee

Tough sh-t! They will get what they deserve if this happens. My fear is Mesa will make up some excuse about training costs and let them stay. I know the contract should prevent this but you never know. I am sure some of these short sighted a-holes will try to run to some other airline where they can shortcut seniority. I hope the MAPD dorks who couldn't wait their turn will learn a valuable lesson as well.

 

[big dog1]

Most likely most will stay as jet fo's, they imposed a seat lock on our 1900 guys

Equipment Commitments
18 months for Turboprop CA
36 months for Jet CA
TP F/O can only move to CA on same equipment or to CA on jet

 

[Mayday911]

If that TA summary is correct and accurate...it is embarassing!!

 

[Juan Valdez]

Freedom Monky Spanks

All Freedom pilots should be deported to Afghanastan and dropped off into the Talibans training camps. Those sorry A_SES... It's called payin the M'FN dues brother your telling me that a brand new CRJ 700 CA at freedom should remain in his/her seat and a 4 year 1900 CA should take it up the shang wang? BRING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Intruder One]

$1.15 per diem...10 days off lineholder....8 days off reserve...2% match on 401K,boy they sure are generous,I also like the wording "Companys best effort" and "to the extent possible" JO must think his pilots are a bunch of idiots.

 

[WileE]

As far as the Freedom pilots go, they will be back to Mesa's seniority if they had one. Any new hires will go at the bottom of the seniority list. The Jet seats will go based on seniority. All the positions will be open to the entire Mesa list, including CCAir pilots. All the seats are open for bidding, if they aren't senior enough to hold it, they can be displaced completely out of the jet.

As far as the seat lock goes, that is only as of your next training event. If you are already a 1900 CA you are not seat locked until your next upgrade. If you are a 1900 FO, you will be seat locked when you upgrade to CA for 18 months, not when the contract is signed. Also, the time is not a seat lock. If you are awarded FO in the beech (as a new hire say) and fly FO for 1 year, when you make captain you are only locked in for another 6 months before you can bid something else.

For Intruder One: Yes, this is the current contract with a few small improvements such as an additional guaranteed day off for line holders (it was 9), an increased per diem (back dated so everyone will get a small check), a moving allowance where they will actually pay to move up to 9000 lbs of stuff (like the military's PCS policy for any other prior service folks), and a guaranteed raise every 18 months (as opposed to the last contract where he had weasel room and there hasn't been one for 4 years).

The improvements are all small things, but they are improvements. There are no concessions. Compare that to other companies in negotiations right now that are giving up 15-25% of their pay back to the company. Compare that to the fact that under the new contract and J4J Mesa will more than triple in size in the next 4 years (there are already 13 new ERJ's and 46 new CRJ's bought and paid for). Any pilot on the payroll right now down to the last 1900 FO will be in the top quarter of the seniority list when this contract comes around again in 4 and a half years. By then every one of them will be able to hold jet Captain.

Basically the lack of any huge gains is the "Price of Freedom". The new scope clause is ironclad and will prevent Johnny O from transferring assets, getting rid of the 1900's, or ever starting another carrier like Freedom. By next contract Mesa will have become the next Major airline and all the leverage will be in the hands of the pilot group. How would you like to have been in the top 20% of the pilots at Southwest when it went major? Same thing if you are in the pilot group at Mesa right now. Any pilots hired under J4J will go on the bottom of the seniority list, there is no integration. They may be in jets, but they are the ones who will be holding reserve, be on the crappy schedules and will be at the worst bases.

All that goes away if the pilots reject the TA and every last one of the Mesa pilots will be on the street with all Mesa's assets going to non-union Freedom. It's sign this contract or be on the street with the 7000 other pilots out on the pavement not flying. Like it or not, that's the choice. Right now is not the time to fall on your sword for the non-existent chance of getting that holy grail of "industry best" contract that just isn't going to happen. Maybe in the next contract, but not right now.

 

[GearUpBitch]

I think it's great that Mesa is returning to seniority/DOH. Those Freedom guys are finally gonna get what they deserve. My only thought is how much $$$ in training cost is this going to burn? What do you guys have now...2000-2500 pilots total now? I can see up to 40-50% of you guys getting new equipment/upgrade slots. Oh well, I guess that's the way it has to be???

 

[WileE]

Training costs

In the longer run, training costs are going to be much less than the savings the company will have by bringing back everything under Mesa's certificate. The have already decided to shut down the Airmidwest, CCAir and Freedom certificates and bring all the planes and pilots under Mesa. That will be a huge cost savings because under the same certificate they won't need the three completely separate management structures they have now. The only reason it made sense to have the three was to whipsaw pilot groups against each other and to be able to play accounting games with the costs. Now the scope clause eliminates any advantage Johnny O had to maintain the multiple certificates so it will all be under one to save money.

 

[Intruder One]

To Wilie:

Yes probably bitting the bullet over there is probably all that can be done at this point in time given the state of the industry,but my neighbor down the street has enlightend me on a current point of that T/A that was left out in the post above(he's a furloughed CCAir pilot.) JO slipped in a good one that current Mesa pilots may or may not care anything about.To bring the CCAir pilots on board they must come in at the senority that they have accrued since being bought by Mesa,which comes to about 3 years.Not for bidding mind you,the 10yr. plus guys will still be Capts, just for pay and longivity.Can you imangine what JO will do with this?He is already looking at other USAirway express carriers to acquire,now he would be able to start them over at year one pay!Piedmont for instance who has 15 to 20 yr. guys on the payroll.For that matter other ALPA carriers that might acquire each other in the future.Delta say buys United........sorry boys year one pay, ALPA has already approved this over at Mesa.JO and other CEO's are chopping at the bit,this could save them millions in future merger.