JO Decides Code-Shares Are Better Than Flying Empty in HI

[Erndogg]

Question for the Mesa guys:
With the EMB-195 order what kind of pay rates are you guys going to be fighting for?? Can we expect something in line with Jet Blue's rates??

PLEASE DONT LET YOUR OWNER LOWER THE BAR FOR US!!!

 

[Soverytired]

Premature speculation ? ? ? ?

Question for the Mesa guys:
With the EMB-195 order what kind of pay rates are you guys going to be fighting for?? Can we expect something in line with Jet Blue's rates??

PLEASE DONT LET YOUR OWNER LOWER THE BAR FOR US!!!

Actually, our current CRJ900 BASE rates are pretty close to the JetBlue E-190 rates already . . . and since our scale goes up to 20 years (JB only to 12), it's actually tops out higher (Mesa 20 year CRJ 900 top out at $102/hr, 12 year top out at JB at $89/hr ).

Of course, JB has a 150% override for anything over 70 hours, so it's sort of apples and oranges. Oh, and a few people might think that working for JB has other advantages . . . .

Frankly though, I can tell you that there are many, many, many other issues that our new MEC would rather get fixed before giving a tinkers damn about a pay rate for a couple of jets in Hawaii.

 

[Future Furlough]

20 years at Mesa?

Actually, our current CRJ900 BASE rates are pretty close to the JetBlue E-190 rates already . . . and since our scale goes up to 20 years (JB only to 12), it's actually tops out higher (Mesa 20 year CRJ 900 top out at $102/hr, 12 year top out at JB at $89/hr ).

And how many people stay at Mesa 20 (or even 12) years? And yes it is apples to oranges. Work rules play a huge role in overall compensation.

FF

 

[mdanno808]

If things continue in this industry the way they are going, then a 20 year Mesa captain may not be an uncommon thing. Those of the Mesa guys cheering for 737's, E 195's, etc. had better think long and hard about where they want to be when they turn 60.
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[Soverytired]

Above my pay grade, but I ain't gonna cry if it happens.

If things continue in this industry the way they are going, then a 20 year Mesa captain may not be an uncommon thing. Those of the Mesa guys cheering for 737's, E 195's, etc. had better think long and hard about where they want to be when they turn 60.

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AMOUNT OF INPUT MESA PILOTS HAVE ON GETTING ANY TYPE A/C ON PROPERTY =

ZERO

If it happens, it happens. And there will be a marginal pay increase. Plus, I think Mesa will be flying its own brand name stateside w/in the next 2-5 years, at least in part. And everyone at flightinfo will scream what a bunch of scumbags Mesa pilots are becasue they have the audacity to work here. This is just a stupid as some of the railing going on about CHQ getting COEX flying . . .those guys have NOTHING to do with those decisions, or about the furloughs that will happen at COEX.

BTW . . . .Right now, there are about 150 pilots at or above the 12 year mark. Maybe a dozen at the 20 year mark. (no, I'm not either . . . thank god!)

 

[mdanno808]

Pilot's (via their union) can turn down any pay rate proposal JO put's on the table. So how do you figure that pilot's have no say in what aircraft JO wants you to fly. What if he came with 744 payrates with a 20 year captain making 99 bucks an hour? Are you saying you guys would have no choice but to fly the planes?
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[Soverytired]

BOILERPLATE ("Alpa approved") UNION LANGUAGE 101

Pilot's (via their union) can turn down any pay rate proposal JO put's on the table. So how do you figure that pilot's have no say in what aircraft JO wants you to fly. What if he came with 744 payrates with a 20 year captain making 99 bucks an hour? Are you saying you guys would have no choice but to fly the planes?




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First, the company can put any equipment not covered by the CBA on-line at any time, and pay the pilots whatever it wants. But they have to start negotiations for new rates immediately, and those rates will be retroactive.

Second, the pilots can refuse a pay rate proposal that management puts on the table . . . However, this is a temporary solution at best; our current contract states "in the absence of an Agreement (for new equipment pay rates), a mutual request for National Mediation Board assistance will be filed."

So the pilots WILL get a pay rate (via negotiation, or via mediation) one way or the other, whether they want to or not. In that vein, I find it highly unlikely that any mediator would agree to a 20-year 747 rate at 99/hr, to answer your hypothetical.

Can they refuse to fly that equipment? Yes, to a point. They can refuse to bid it, but the company can junior assign pilots to aircraft if no one bids it.

 

[dash8driver]

pizza hut delivery is above mesa pay grade...

I find it highly unlikely that any mediator would agree to a 20-year 747 rate at 99/hr, to answer your hypothetical.

if anyone still doesnt believe that one pilot groups contract affects another.. ask youself where the mediator would come up with a pay scale if it came down to mediation over a payscale for an aircraft type.


.

 

[mdanno808]

Man, JO has you guys right where he wants you. I guess negotiations and unions are wortheless. Bring on the big jets JO, cause we realize that we will end up flying them one way or another. ALPA should print up some of those stickers for the road shows.

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[CFIse]

Puh-lease. JO has something up his sleeve (I hope). Everyone on the local level is looking at "Go" through their local-issues prism, but only one man has the "big picture.", and really knows what the real reasons are. . . .

One word - E195s.

Just as nice inside as a 737, almost the same load, cheaper seat mile cost. That's the big picture - why the opening salvo with the CRJs I have no idea - but that's the big picture - compete with the E195s and THAT may be some tough competition.

 

[Soverytired]

Whistling in the dark, whistling in the dark . . (they might be giants . . )

I'm open to suggestions. Our union will negotiate for payrates to the best of its (and with ALPA's crack/"on-crack" advice), but let's face it, the company makes fleet-type decisions, not the pilot union. Right now, "industry average" for the E190 at JB and CHQ aren't exactly high though . . . .

Short of asking every pilot tasked to flying larger aircraft to intentionally fail checkrides (which can lead to termination, and hinder future employment options elsewhere), I'm not really sure what lever the union has beyond those already stated.

Man, JO has you guys right where he wants you. I guess negotiations and unions are wortheless. Bring on the big jets JO, cause we realize that we will end up flying them one way or another. ALPA should print up some of those stickers for the road shows.

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[Taco Rocket]

Man, JO has you guys right where he wants you. I guess negotiations and unions are wortheless. Bring on the big jets JO, cause we realize that we will end up flying them one way or another. ALPA should print up some of those stickers for the road shows.


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As usual some more homework needs to be done. If this were the case there would already be 737s on property.....

 

[Taco Rocket]

One word - E195s.

Just as nice inside as a 737, almost the same load, cheaper seat mile cost. That's the big picture - why the opening salvo with the CRJs I have no idea - but that's the big picture - compete with the E195s and THAT may be some tough competition.

Me thinks the CRJs are just there to put one of the big boys out of business so J.O. can crack the other at the knees in another "merger." How long will it take to do that? Probably not that long at all -- no way both airlines will make it against $39 fares, which with Mesa can break even.

This is how he will get the larger fleet types -- not through negotiation but rather through acquisition.

M erge

E every

S mall

A irline

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

get a life mdanno808!

Man, JO has you guys right where he wants you. I guess negotiations and unions are wortheless. Bring on the big jets JO, cause we realize that we will end up flying them one way or another.

So, do you have any control over what aircraft your airline operates? I doubt that you do, and neither do we.

Mesa ALPA was already made an offer a year or so ago by JO to fly 737's for the 900 rate + 15% (I think that is right, correct me if I am wrong please). We said NO WAY JOse! You don't see any 737s on the property do you?

If you want to make this about your pilot group vs. Mesa's pilot group then that is your problem. We are just trying to do our jobs and live our lives. We know better than anyone out there that our contract needs alot of improvement in almost every way. Thanks for your concern, though!

 

[mdanno808]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/3820751.html April 26, 2006, 7:23AM
Mesa Air 2Q Profit Declines

© 2006 The Associated Press
PHOENIX — Mesa Air Group Inc., operator of regional airlines Mesa Airlines, Air Midwest and Freedom Airlines, on Wednesday said fiscal second-quarter profit dropped 51 percent, hurt by a debt-equity charge and expenses related to a startup.
Net income fell to $5.3 million, or 14 cents per share, from $10.8 million, or 26 cents per share a year ago. Results include a $7.5 million charge associated with converting debt to equity. The company had a $3.6 million expense in the quarter relating to starting up a Hawaiian operation.

Revenue grew 18 percent to $312.1 million from $263.8 million, reflecting improved traffic. Like other airlines, Mesa had to deal with higher fuel costs during the quarter. Such costs rose to $103.2 million from $65.2 million a year ago.
Analysts, on average, predicted a profit of 30 cents on revenue of $295.5 million, according to a Thomson Financial poll.
Revenue passenger miles increased 15 percent to 1.6 billion, compared to the same period last year. A revenue passenger mile is equal to one paying passenger flown one mile.
Capacity increased 8 percent to 2.19 billion available seat miles. Occupancy, or the number of seats filled, increased to 73.2 percent, compared with 68.9 percent during the same period last year.


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[mdanno808]

So, do you have any control over what aircraft your airline operates? I doubt that you do, and neither do we.

Mesa ALPA was already made an offer a year or so ago by JO to fly 737's for the 900 rate + 15% (I think that is right, correct me if I am wrong please). We said NO WAY JOse! You don't see any 737s on the property do you?

If you want to make this about your pilot group vs. Mesa's pilot group then that is your problem. We are just trying to do our jobs and live our lives. We know better than anyone out there that our contract needs alot of improvement in almost every way. Thanks for your concern, though!

That is exactly my point. You guys said go to hell, and he did. Pilot groups do have a say in what equiptment is flown through the negotiation process, as your union did with the 737 rates. I don't even fly for Hawaiian or Aloha, and I jumpseat on Mesa a lot. I misspoke, and I don't think you guys understood the meaning of my post. I don't have anything against the guys operating the plane. I just hope that you guys get some good payrates to fly the E195's, as well as some pay raises for your current planes.
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[Soverytired]

And now, for the rest of the story . . .

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/3820751.html April 26, 2006, 7:23AM
Mesa Air 2Q Profit Declines
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​

Yup. Mesa's profits went down. However, if you remove one-time charges for new business with legacy carriers, deb-conversion, and the go! start up, Mesa's EPS is more like 30 cents, as opposed to the reported 14 cents per/share. Nice article summarizing it here:

http://www.thestreet.com/_googlen/stocks/transportation/10281898.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA
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The more interesting discussion during the web-casted earnings call was during the Q&A. When asked why Mesa didn't get the COEX business, and Republic did, I thought the answer was kinda wishy-washy. "Win some, lose some?" "Republic's turn to win?" Kinda reminds me of S.Connery in "The Rock": http://161.58.5.90/rock/losers.wav


Weakest sidestep: When asked if Mesa didn't get the new business because of cost, or becase of "service issues." Uh, methinks Mesa might be getting a reputation?

 

[mdanno808]

http://www.myspace.com/mesagohome
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[mdanno808]

​

Yup. Mesa's profits went down. However, if you remove one-time charges for new business with legacy carriers, deb-conversion, and the go! start up, Mesa's EPS is more like 30 cents, as opposed to the reported 14 cents per/share. Nice article summarizing it here:

http://www.thestreet.com/_googlen/stocks/transportation/10281898.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The more interesting discussion during the web-casted earnings call was during the Q&A. When asked why Mesa didn't get the COEX business, and Republic did, I thought the answer was kinda wishy-washy. "Win some, lose some?" "Republic's turn to win?" Kinda reminds me of S.Connery in "The Rock": http://161.58.5.90/rock/losers.wav


Weakest sidestep: When asked if Mesa didn't get the new business because of cost, or becase of "service issues." Uh, methinks Mesa might be getting a reputation?

Does Mesa have a spokesman? Someone brought this up earlier, and I can't remember the answer. Seems like JO spends an awful lot of time doing interviews, answering questions, etc. Seems like something he'd have a spokesman type do for him.
[/INDENT]

 

[RJP]

Does Mesa have a spokesman? Someone brought this up earlier, and I can't remember the answer. Seems like JO spends an awful lot of time doing interviews, answering questions, etc. Seems like something he'd have a spokesman type do for him.
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I mentioned that I thought it was odd that JO was the only one that ever speaks to the media. Just like our buddy GK. "The CEO of PW/GO says.....". He must spend a hell of a lot of time just figuring out what to say to the media. Sad, really.

 

[Hawaiiansmurf]

If JO had any employees for Public Relations then he would need to let them know his "secret plans". This guy sounds like a micro-manager. I think it's sad that his employees make comments like "I think" and "I hope" when they talk about what they "think" his goals for the company are.

 

[skydivinguy]

http://www.myspace.com/mesagohome
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why no PW on your space bruddah?

 

[airplane.tape]

PW is too small be on myspace. it's nothing but a joke

 

[Soverytired]

For those who care . . .

First three "Go" jets have been painted and spotted on the ramp in PHX.

They have a white body with a blue "breaking" wave that looks like the surf is breaking over the forward part of the wing (actually, when I see it it reminds me of pilots stomping on the brakes too hard and blue juice rolling out of the lav and to the forward part of the airplane).

"Blue Juice One" will probably be on the ramp in HNL sometime this weekend.

As of today, I don't believe "Go" has turned any profits. (sic)

 

[dash8driver]

its already here.






.

 

[Flyerjosh]

The first plane landed yesterday (friday) in HNL.

Here's the details:

http://forums.aca-lounge.com/showthread.php?kw=aviation-pilots-flying&s=&threadid=5154

 

[RJP]

its already here.
.

So much for the hope that it was a bad joke.

 

[sniper]

Pilot's (via their union) can turn down any pay rate proposal JO put's on the table. So how do you figure that pilot's have no say in what aircraft JO wants you to fly. What if he came with 744 payrates with a 20 year captain making 99 bucks an hour? Are you saying you guys would have no choice but to fly the planes?

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And they did turned down a 128 dollar per hour 737 captain rate. (2/2005)

 

[dash8driver]

So much for the hope that it was a bad joke.

now its like a case of the herpes...




.

 

[mdanno808]

A ramper told me today that someone has already written home next to Go on the aircraft, and that there is now a security guard assigned exclusively to the plane.
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