Mesaba cancels classes

[littlebrownman]

Does anyone think that classes will be rescheduled (I was scheduled for saab class on 9/26) in the near future. Or should I just give up on Mesaba and start looking elsewhere.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

I wouldn't give up on the company yet. Hopefully a few questions will be answered for us on October 6th... So hang tight...

 

[RampTower]

Does anyone think that classes will be rescheduled (I was scheduled for saab class on 9/26) in the near future. Or should I just give up on Mesaba and start looking elsewhere.

If Mesaba is your absolute number 1 pick, then hang tight, this is just a hiccup- things will smooth out. We're still getting CRJs and maybe you'll be switched to a future CRJ class!

But some people may tell you to shop around as a backup. I suppose it won't hurt at all if you apply at other companies while you wait. Showing up at another interview and telling them you have an offer from Mesaba tells them you are hirable. Look at it as a plus! Use it as leverage!

 

[arthompson]

If NW wishes to continue operating the ASE route then it needs the Avro's. This is the same reason why UA has come back to ZW and asked to retain some of the 146 flying.

 

[arthompson]

PCL will continue hiring pilots and FA's according to our CEO.

 

[TinGoose1]

NWA is just trying to get new lease agreements with the AVRO's. Why would they park an AVRO and keep a DC-9? Two things are going to come out of this: First, the AVRO's leases are going to be renegotiated. Second, scope is going bye-bye and they will be reconfigured to hold 85 seats. I would think that the real question would be if the Mesaba MEC has enough backbone to require a higher payrate for the additional seats. If they roll over and keep current book for the same aircraft (more seats) they will be undercutting future gains with 70 seaters.

 

[Jimdandy]

They are trying to scare us to get us ready for concessions. And for Pcl that want it as an excuse to give them a crappy contract.

Don't fall for it boys and girls our costs are in line with the rest in the industry. The people that need to give back is the mainline this is their responsibility not ours.

 

[gnx99]

Possibly just a scare. But then they'd be lying in Federal court, to a Federal bankruptcy judge about the Avro being a "potential excess aircraft".

 

[Jimdandy]

True,

But I guess my real point is there is nothing we can do in the form of concessions to keep that aircraft. Even if we worked for free it wouldn't help. The only thing that will change NWA desire to get rid of those things is the banks re-working the leases.

 

[TinGoose1]

Possibly just a scare. But then they'd be lying in Federal court, to a Federal bankruptcy judge about the Avro being a "potential excess aircraft".

Your kidding right? Has NWA ever told the truth to their unions? Federal judge or not, they don't make their plans public to anyone. Do you remember the insider trading that went on during the pilot strike in 99? CEO sells a pile of stock right before the strike and then buys it back directly afterward. "Federal court" doesn't see a problem with this and the upper management at NWA goes free. Just remember that federal judges are appointed by elected officials that are bought and paid for by private industry. Even the FAA knows it's limits, if they weren't affraid of the political fallout from DC Pinnacle would have been shut down after the second hull loss. Even "federal judges" have career expectations, and those judges are accutely aware that those expectations can be cut short with one unpopular decision from the bench. Don't put to much faith in the federal government's oversight of the airline industry. We're the only ones that we can count on to look out for our best interest. If we stand strong we can make a change. If we fold, we'll all be complaining tomorrow about how the federal courts are screwing us. Right now the courts are under the authority of a Republican administration that hates organized labor. How mad do you think the courts are going to be about the unions getting screwed? Those same judges that your expecting to be fair are the same ones that killed the United pilot's pensions, and then sent Enron's upper managment to prison for the same thing.

 

[Dodge]

I would think that the real question would be if the Mesaba MEC has enough backbone to require a higher payrate for the additional seats. If they roll over and keep current book for the same aircraft (more seats) they will be undercutting future gains with 70 seaters.

I wouldn't hold my breath. This pilot group has been down this road before. Delivery of Avros, parking Avros to scare pilots into a ho hum pay rate, same pay rate for a Metro FO as an Avro FO. However, I might be delightfully surprised.

 

[jschroed]

Does anyone know if they canceled classes for all A/C on the 26th or just the Avro? I know that the first week of training is indoc and isn't A/C specific.

 

[littlebrownman]

Saab class has been postponed. Jody from HR is supposed to call pilots from that class tomorrow with more info.

 

[Monster Buck]

We are holding off on future avro classes until new and definate plans are layed out by NWA. All actions to this point are preperation for new terms from financing. If NWA gets what they want, the avro's fly. If they don't they will be replaced or returned. Personally I think the new terms for NWA will be good and the avros will fly for some years to come. Not forever, but for the near future. NWA has a very good position to get the terms they want. Tingoose had some very good points. Hold strong. Make sure you do all you can to let the your union know how you feel about any possible pay reductions. For now that is all we can do.

 

[RampTower]

Just saw this at MyMesaba.com Flight Ops section

- under the vacancy section, there is a big link titled CRJ Class Delayed. but the link doesn't direct you anywhere.

 

[saabass]

If expand the Vacancy section, and click on CRJ Class Delayed, you will see the CRJ class is delayed until the 10th of Oct. The award has the same people on it.