Mesaba Big Announcement on Friday

[Mel Sharples]

I think it's time we get some new bag stickers printed:


"My MEC speaks for me! I just have no f***ing clue what they are saying!"





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[T-handle]

This wait is probably worse than holding my bladder from MSP to BIS with a stiff headwind.

We gotta find this secret batcave where this meeting is taking place.... who's up for a recon mission?

 

[Gator1999]

"My MEC speaks for me! I just have no f***ing clue what they are saying!"

Now that's funny!

 

[ultrarunner]

I think it's time we get some new bag stickers printed:


"My MEC speaks for me! I just have no f***ing clue what they are saying!"





.

The first pilot I see dragging his flight bag around with this sticker gets a hundred bucks, from me. That's a promise!

 

[Fly4hire]

Here's a clue. What is the relationship between Mesaba and Skywest?

**********************************************************

Delta Air in talks with SkyWest-report

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Delta Air Lines is in talks with SkyWest Inc. to sell one or both of its regional subsidiaries, according to a report published late Monday citing a SkyWest executive.

Bradford Rich, chief financial officer of SkyWest, said Monday at an investors conference that Delta had expressed "more than just an interest to sell Comair and Atlantic Southeast, the Wall Street Journal reported on its online edition.

See full story.

"We think we're in the best position of anyone to take advantage of this type of opportunity," the Journal quoted Rich as saying at the Raymond James Institutional Investors Conference in Orlando, Fla.

According to the report, Rich did not specify if SkyWest (SKYW: news, chart, profile) was interested in one or both carriers and said discussions were in the early stage.

Rich said SkyWest's initial view is that it can cut about 5 percent of the costs of either carrier, the Journal reported.

A Delta (DAL: news, chart, profile) spokesman did not return a call from the Journal seeking comment. A SkyWest spokeswoman said she didn't have additional information to provide, the Journal reported.

According to the Journal, Delta spent $2.9 billion buying ASA and Comair.

 

[flap operator]

Skywest has no affiliation with NWA. What's your point? We can attempt to link this Mesaba issue to anything in the news. That's how bad and ridonkulous the speculating has become!!!


FO

 

[Towelie]

Skywest has no affiliation with NWA. What's your point? We can attempt to link this Mesaba issue to anything in the news. That's how bad and ridonkulous the speculating has become!!!


FO

I heard that Eastern Airlines and Trans World Airlines went under. I wonder if Northwest will merge those seniority lists with Mesaba and start Super Connie service to Europe?

 

[Fly4hire]

Typical juvenille response here.

I thought that Mesaba and Skywest had a code share or some other marketing relationship. Perhaps I have them confused with another carrier.....if so my bad

 

[trip]

Skywest has codeshare with NW on some DL connection flights.

 

[flap operator]

Well in that sense, Mesaba has a codeshare agreement with DL, KL, CO then! NWA doesn't have a codeshare with Skywest... NWA has codeshares with DELTA some of the flights happend to be operated by Skywest. Big difference.

FLY - maybe you're thinking of BigSky. Mesaba and BigSky have the same parent company, MAIR HOldings.



FO

 

[Dodge]

Well, I lost another bet to the wife. She told me last week that we would be lucky to hear anything by Friday.....Friday the 11th.

My guess now is that whatever the MEC is speaking about will fall through just like everything else Mesaba has pursued. A year from now we still won't know what this was all about due to the gag order.

I have always wondered, of all the big plans that this management team has put out over the years, the only one that panned out was the Big Sky purchase. The shareholders should revolt on that alone.

 

[flap operator]

But they never treated the BigSky deal with such secrecy. I'm also beginning to give up on hearing anything, anytime soon. It was just too good to be true to get some good news around here. Next thing you know they'll just award PNCL 61 more planes. Why 139? Let's go for a nice round numer 200!


FO

 

[Fly4hire]

FLY - maybe you're thinking of BigSky. Mesaba and BigSky have the same parent company, MAIR HOldings.

That was it. Thanks for the correction. No correlation with SkyWest.

 

[Ace McCoy]

Seriously what the he|| is going on around here?!?!? What could possibly take a week of marathon negotiation sessions?

I am getting some serious frustration going over this whole thing. Anyone have any more ideas on how to find some more info???

 

[flap operator]

Do we really know if there have been marathon negotiations? We're having LEC meetings this week, so how can they be in two places at once? I was under the impression that they met last week and that was it. Now we're playing the waiting game.

I've all but given up expecting something. Thank goodness I get to go to work tomorrow to try and forget about it!! Yea... right.


FO

 

[T-handle]

at these LEC meetings yesterday, which officers were there? today there is an MEC meeting in MSP.

 

[flap operator]

IF and I say IF this deal has anything to do with CHicago Express... this could be why there have been no announcements. Take from it, whatever you wish. Not really sure if it means anything, other than the fact it sounds like no decisions have been made.

http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/227601-1762-223.html


FO

 

[Mel Sharples]

Nothing new to report....

But why in the hell would this be taking so long? I can't imagine a scenario involving just XJ and XJ ALPA that would require negotiations that are this long and this hush-hush.

I'm assuming the gag order is because it could have SEC implications. I'm also assuming if "most will like it, some won't" that it involves a pay freeze to get new planes and/or a seniority shift.

In any case, I grow less excited by the day and a lot more nervous. Somehow I think this whole deal is going to turn into a giant turd in the punchbowl.

 

[T-handle]

Don't forget a 2 year contract extension.

Add that to just under 4 years left in our existing contract, with another 2+ years of contract negotiations.............

 

[Fly4hire]

Nothing new to report....

I'm assuming the gag order is because it could have SEC implications.

Or business information or plans they do not want competitiors to know about. BTW, it's a confidentiality agreement, not a gag order. Sort of "we'll give you early info on an item so you can act on it, but we don't want our competitors to know yet". Don't forget these agreements are voluntary - don't agree and you won't get the info.

Many MEC's have been working with thses restrictions for years, and it has always been the topic of conspiracy theory, accusations of under the table deals, and other speculation.

Generally it is to an MEC's advantage. Do you want to be reacting to a business event when you read it about in the paper? The flip side is MEC's that don't use this provisions then get slammed for not being ahead of events.

 

[Ace McCoy]

In any case, I grow less excited by the day and a lot more nervous. Somehow I think this whole deal is going to turn into a giant turd in the punchbowl.

It sure was fun for a few days to think that we actually may have a shot at some good news but Mel is right the longer this goes on the less exciting this gets.

I think this has nothing to do with NW and is more flying for another carrier using the Big Sky certificate.

Probably though in about a week we will get an announcement saying "both sides tried to work on something but it fell through and will not be happening. However, due to confidentiality agreements signed we cannot tell you what it was. Please continue to fly safe and focus on our cost metrics moving forward year over year blah blah blah...."

 

[Vdub Pilot]

It does seem coincidental that C8 was waiting for news on Monday and didn't get it. Apparently they hear the same thing. News coming soon... gag orders signed all around. Food for thought.

 

[Ace McCoy]

No offense to my ChiExp brothers but I hope it is something more exciting than getting more saabs. We really need some growth around here to give some relief to our 5+ year fo's

Now I'm at the point where if this thing drags on through the weekend I'm voting no out of spite no matter what the LOA says.

 

[Dodge]

Just for S&G's, does anyone know what is the hire date of Chicago Express's most senior pilot?

Oh well, it was fun for a few days to believe that management would actually do something positive for this airline other than throw money out the window with Big Sky. It shows how stupid they really are. The contract negotiations are over. The company got their pitiful payscale and no trip and duty rigs. No better CDO language or pay. No sick pay accrual enhancement.

They can sell Big Sky any day now.

 

[Inconceivable]

My prediction

not that I pretend to know anything, but how about this scenario:

an expansion of Big Sky flying, outside the NWA family (or maybe as the 3rd link, who knows with these people) in anything from 1900's to E170's. a relaxing of your scope and or list merger with big sky pilots. maybe adjusted pay rates as part of the whole package.

Some are happy: the 5 year f/o's who get to sit left seat in a 1900

Some are not: newhire f/o's who find themselves displaced to Montana.

If the SEC and/or NWA MEC aren't involved, there are a limited number of internal scenarios that could keep your MEC occupied with this for so long.

Best wishes and happy thoughts, regardless.

 

[Mesabi Miner]

Probably though in about a week we will get an announcement saying "both sides tried to work on something but it fell through and will not be happening. However, due to confidentiality agreements signed we cannot tell you what it was. Please continue to fly safe and focus on our cost metrics moving forward year over year blah blah blah...."

Dude, that is the BEST analysis I've heard thus far. "Please continue flying safe and focus on increasing our operational performance." Right out of JS's mouth!!! I can hear it right now!

MM

 

[Vdub Pilot]

Just for S&G's, does anyone know what is the hire date of Chicago Express's most senior pilot?

About 11 years ago.

 

[hawkerflyer]

Mesaba's changing their name to Pinnacle Express...

 

[anavrofo]

Mesaba's changing their name to Pinnacle Express...

Thats not true, Its going to be Pinnacle Express I.......

 

[Napoleon TNT]

Maybe they mean THIS (18th) Friday...