Jet USA / Active Aero lays off 50+?

[Flying Illini]

Heard this yesterday when dropping freight there. They let 40 mechanics go, 4 or 5 fueler/forklift guys go, and several ground equip. mechs go.

No pilots or dispatchers yet but also said that they want to get the fleet down to:
4 pax DC-9's
4 cargo DC-9's
4-5 cargo DA-20's

Also said that there are several -9's and -20's that are approaching major inspections that will not be completed. There are quite a few aircraft sitting on the ramp minus engines.

Is any of this true? What's going on over there?

 

[big_al]

layoffs and hard times in the auto industry are probably carrying over. sad to hear

 

[landlover]

heard they laid off about 8 pilots a few weeks ago, in addition to the about 8 that were fired.

 

[Flying Illini]

That's exactly what we all thought. Very sad to hear. It also sounded like there was a big meeting with the who's who of the flight side of things. Maybe discussing more upcoming layoffs. I dunno.

The question remains...is this true? I hope it's not but it took us a while to get a forklift to unload our freight and this was the reason we were given.

 

[Porky]

Its all true!!! We have no fuelers, no cargo, no stockroom, no ground service and a hand full of mechanics. We parked several aircraft also. The President of the company has been slowly running USA JET into the ground since he has been here. He blames the auto companies, but why is Ameristar, Cherryair and others flying? He wants to turn this place into a trucking company because thats all he knows. We lost alot of good employees yesterday and will most likely loose more if he has his way. Hey Chris, if your high dollar airline sales people are not gettting the job done, which appears to be the case, get rid of them too, don't hire more!! If you get rid of them it will free up more money to exspand PTM and then you can hire more of your VP buddies. Thats the real game plan right!! Suck the life out of the airline to be able to make PTM payroll, because PTM sure doesn't make enough money to make their own payroll. Keep up the good work, Ameristar loves you buddy!!!

 

[pilotyip]

we flew all 6 of our 4 DC-9 cargo airplanes yesterday.

 

[big pimpn']

we flew all 6 of our 4 DC-9 cargo airplanes yesterday.

All 6 of your 4?

 

[landlover]

we flew all 6 of our 4 DC-9 cargo airplanes yesterday.

This still doesn't take away the fact that many people were laid off. One good day won't save any company. sucks to see any company not doing well. best of luck jus guys

 

[Flying Illini]

Yep, we heard he wanted to turn the place into a freight terminal, where the trucks come and go as well as airplanes.

Well it sucks that all of what we heard seems to be true.

 

[pilotyip]

Yep CDL ratings in the Peterbuilt, Kenworth, and Freightliner will now be an application requirement.