Mesaba Furlough?

[Peanut Chaser]

Has anyone heard any furlough rumors for Mesaba Pilots?

 

[RampTower]

"rumors" yes... fact = no (at lesat not yet) No reduction notices out either. Too early to tell at this point. We are still interviewing and hiring into the CRJ. Crew planning claims they haven't heard anything but if they knew something they wouldn't say anything to me over the phone until some offical notice is out.

 

[Simon Says]

What is funny if they do furlough, they would have to furlough all the newly trained CRJ FO's before getting to anyone else.

 

[jschroed]

Given the circumstances it would seem that furlough would be inevitable, but why are they continuing to call people as late as last Friday saying “You’re Hired, but we don’t know when your ground school will be?” Sounds kind of contradictory to me.

 

[DoubleDown]

I wouldn't worry too much about a furlough. Remember that the whole reason for the growth of all the United and Delta regionals was to drop some of the expensive main line flying for "cheaper" regional jets. Either you will continue as always or grow.

 

[CubanSmoker]

Given the circumstances it would seem that furlough would be inevitable,

I was thinking that same thing all weekend, but upon further review, it seems that all of the Avro flying is back on the nwa.com website after Jan and we still are receiving CRJ's.

Granted, they may try to get concessions from us in one form or another, but we (XJ and 9E) are not the fatty parts of this operation that Steenland and the boys are trying to trim. It'll be interesting here the next 6 months, but I honestly believe we should be OK without furloughs here at Mesaba. Lots of people might jump on me for saying that and they probably have a lot more years in than I do, but that's my gut feeling.

Welcome to Mesaba BTW. You'll find that many captains here are just as much fun to fly with as Benny S was.

Smoker

 

[Whyzitsokold]

I wouldn't worry too much about a furlough. Remember that the whole reason for the growth of all the United and Delta regionals was to drop some of the expensive main line flying for "cheaper" regional jets. Either you will continue as always or grow.

so you have pilots for 35 avros and x# sabs + x# crj pilots and you shed 9 avros in a month, how can you not furlough?

Anyone know how many crj guys got hired and are in training? I'm guessing 20? maybe? 9 ARJ = about 90 pilots minus the 20 new guys, then you wouldn't be safe for the first round unless you have 70 people below you. Then comes the next wave.

But of course, this is all speculation. I think we are all screwed. If you are above seniority number 110, then you should leave for another job you really should quicker the better, it's only going to get worse. For those of you below seniority number 110, do as you wish.

 

[Whyzitsokold]

CubanSmoker

I like your quote on the bottom, but it should read 5 apu's. There aren't any engines on that thing! If it have 4 engines it would be able to accelerate at 29K above M.7. 1.7 hour flight and we were to climb to 30K and we received a discretionary descent to 24K, we never made it to 30K! Gotta Love MEM @ 100 degrees. Anyhow, I thought it was funny. Thing runs like a jet ski - full throttle or idle, only 2 settings. haha!

 

[CubanSmoker]

The funny thing is, that quote is from a frantic passenger/moron that came up to the cockpit asking how in the world an airplane like the Avro can fly. According to her (and she's a "Silver Elite" so she would know) the only way an airplane flies is to go fast and you have to have big wheels to get airborne. Small ones like we had would never be able to spin fast enough to get the airplane to fly.

Who knew?
The captain didn't even acknowledge the question, turned back to me, and asked for the acceptance checklist and I was laughing to hard to read it.

 

[filejw]

One thing to consider .Nwa wants to come out of CH 11 looking like Jet Blue. Having lots of different type A/C is not part of the plan in the long run.

 

[gnx99]

The funny thing is, that quote is from a frantic passenger/moron that came up to the cockpit asking how in the world an airplane like the Avro can fly. According to her (and she's a "Silver Elite" so she would know) the only way an airplane flies is to go fast and you have to have big wheels to get airborne. Small ones like we had would never be able to spin fast enough to get the airplane to fly.

Who knew?
The captain didn't even acknowledge the question, turned back to me, and asked for the acceptance checklist and I was laughing to hard to read it.

That's great!

 

[idoitupsidedown]

Other than rumors (which I understand is the basis of a message board like this), has anyone heard any factual statements about the new hires? I was scheduled to be in the Avro class that was suppose to start today which means I'm still sitting in Indiana flight instructing. Is the Oct. 10th date still on? Or is the game just sit and wait for nwa to figure out what they're going to do w/ the airlinks? Its a nice to feeling to have a job on the table, but every day that goes by that I haven't heard anything new, i get the feeling the offer is thiner and thiner.

 

[sf3boy]

Let's all get something straight here. NWA is not in charge anymore. Managements may tell us dumb pilots at the three red tail companies otherwise, but the creditors and courts are going to be calling the plays from now on. NWA management admitted and agreed to the fact that they had no business running anything when they filed CH.11.

Thanks, Butters, for the appropriate avatar.

 

[airmasn]

so you have pilots for 35 avros and x# sabs + x# crj pilots and you shed 9 avros in a month, how can you not furlough?

Anyone know how many crj guys got hired and are in training? I'm guessing 20? maybe? 9 ARJ = about 90 pilots minus the 20 new guys, then you wouldn't be safe for the first round unless you have 70 people below you. Then comes the next wave.

But of course, this is all speculation. I think we are all screwed. If you are above seniority number 110, then you should leave for another job you really should quicker the better, it's only going to get worse. For those of you below seniority number 110, do as you wish.

dude seriously...
how long have you been in this business? sounds like about 3 or 4 days.
remind me never to look to you for career advice. by now you should know NOTHING IS...UNTIL IT IS.

the union hasnt even been approached yet, youre flipping out over heresay and rumors...

we'll be fine...I promise

 

[Whyzitsokold]

dude seriously...
how long have you been in this business? sounds like about 3 or 4 days.
remind me never to look to you for career advice. by now you should know NOTHING IS...UNTIL IT IS.

the union hasnt even been approached yet, youre flipping out over heresay and rumors...

we'll be fine...I promise

Dude, keep your skirt on. We all don't know exactly how this will play out. I was joking at the end. Ya know, haha??? Now go out and dry your panties.

 

[jetfo]

Last I heard all CRJ training is cancelled for now at Mesaba. Even PNCL is losing 15 CRJ's. I hope this is just an effort by NWA to reduce the Avro leases and that Mesaba will ultimately get to keep all of them.

 

[Whyzitsokold]

Last I heard all CRJ training is cancelled for now at Mesaba. Even PNCL is losing 15 CRJ's. I hope this is just an effort by NWA to reduce the Avro leases and that Mesaba will ultimately get to keep all of them.

I have a friend at 9E and they are taking voluntary furloughs. They must be planning on a reduction for awhile. He must be close to the bottom, he's considering leaving.

 

[FOrever85]

One thing to consider .Nwa wants to come out of CH 11 looking like Jet Blue. Having lots of different type A/C is not part of the plan in the long run.

Is that why they ordered the new Boeing airplane adding yet another type? Is that why they gave Mesaba CRJ's giving us a third type.

Yeah, that seems like Northwest's plan alright. Wow, NWA management sure is smart.


For all you guys who haven't been in the industry awhile, this just happened to Mesaba two years ago. It is the standard NWA playbook and its getting old.

1) They didn't furlough

2) They did put Avros in long term storage for awhile

3) They did ask for concessions

4) They didn't get them

5) We still got our planes back

Stay strong, don't take concessions, and stop worrying.

We are on page 3 of the "NWA go F our employees playbook."

 

[Butters]

Last I heard all CRJ training is cancelled for now at Mesaba.

Nope. Class was delayed from 10/3 to 10/10. Indoc class that should have started today was cancelled, but not all training is cancelled.

 

[TheJCNIs]

Hey,

Training is still going on at Mesaba. There are 8 of us in Avro class right now finishing up systems and still going to the sims, as of today. The saab class is in the sims and the Crj guys and gals are in class and at the sims right now. Training is just moving things back one week to see whats up. Everything will be alright!

Good Luck

 

[convair007]

Hi,

I'm one of the guys who got the "we want you but we'll get back to you in 3 -4 weeks" call on Friday. This will be my first regional job and am pretty new to all the regional jet politics. I would love to work for Mesaba, but don't want to get hired on and then find myself out of a job within a year. My question is would this be a good move right now? I've read all the threads on Mesaba and I get basiically two answers: "We'll be fine." or "We're all screwed." Can any Mesaba pilots give me a little insight? Thanks.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

Hi,

I'm one of the guys who got the "we want you but we'll get back to you in 3 -4 weeks" call on Friday. This will be my first regional job and am pretty new to all the regional jet politics. I would love to work for Mesaba, but don't want to get hired on and then find myself out of a job within a year. My question is would this be a good move right now? I've read all the threads on Mesaba and I get basiically two answers: "We'll be fine." or "We're all screwed." Can any Mesaba pilots give me a little insight? Thanks.

Well the only answer to that comment in bold is find another industry.... quite possibly in another country at this point. I came here six months ago being told this would be the best time in years to be hired in here..... now I could be on the street Nov 1... welcome to the sorry world of aviation these days. The way I see it the only secure job now is job outsourcer or in the military. Anything else is subject to the first person's job. I just wish everyone with the Wallmart mentality would realize that soon noone will have a job in this country to buy the crap we have outsourced everywhere else. We need another keep it in America campaign like the 80's auto industry or we are ALL in a world of hurt soon.


A member of the first generation of Americans to not improve on the lifestyle of their parents

 

[convair007]

Thanks WMUSIGPI, Go Broncos! I'm WMU alum as well.

 

[Detroitpilot22]

Fellow Bronco here as well

 

[airmasn]

so you have pilots for 35 avros and x# sabs + x# crj pilots and you shed 9 avros in a month, how can you not furlough?

Anyone know how many crj guys got hired and are in training? I'm guessing 20? maybe? 9 ARJ = about 90 pilots minus the 20 new guys, then you wouldn't be safe for the first round unless you have 70 people below you. Then comes the next wave.

But of course, this is all speculation. I think we are all screwed. If you are above seniority number 110, then you should leave for another job you really should quicker the better, it's only going to get worse. For those of you below seniority number 110, do as you wish.

Okay now I see it...yeah that last part is pretty funny. How could I have NOT seen the humor in that one???

Cant wait to fly with you...

 

[Fly4hire]

One thing to consider .Nwa wants to come out of CH 11 looking like Jet Blue. Having lots of different type A/C is not part of the plan in the long run.

Have you seen the buisiness plan proposal? I think ALPA and the rest of the unions haven't. They get briefed this week. BOHICA.

I think the only thing they want in common with JB is the pay and benefits.

 

[Fly4hire]

Let's all get something straight here. NWA is not in charge anymore. Managements may tell us dumb pilots at the three red tail companies otherwise, but the creditors and courts are going to be calling the plays from now on.

Lost on a lot of people is this is a self funded BK. There is no DIP financing. NWA is financing thier own BK. They have MUCH more control over the process than DAL has, or UAL or U has had. Theire is no AL Pension Corp. calling the shots. Sure they still have to work with the judge and creditiors, but they call a lot more of the shots.

NWA caught all the analysts and armchair pbservers off guard filing when thye did. Me thinks they know a little more than you give them credit for.

It will still be brutal for all of us on the receiving end though....

 

[Fly4hire]

Let's all get something straight here. NWA is not in charge anymore. Managements may tell us dumb pilots at the three red tail companies otherwise, but the creditors and courts are going to be calling the plays from now on. NWA management admitted and agreed to the fact that they had no business running anything when they filed CH.11.

Lost on lots of people is the fact that this is a self funded BK. No Debtor in Possesion (DIP) financing. No oustside financier calling the shots. NWA maintains a LOT more control in the process. This was by design, and even caught WS off guard. I think they know a bit more than you give them credit for.

As to filing when they did, think holding for your destination wx to come up to mins with T-storms all around. Do you wait until you get in a low fuel emergency or do you divert while you can still make the alternate safely?

 

[Whyzitsokold]

Okay now I see it...yeah that last part is pretty funny. How could I have NOT seen the humor in that one???

It's all good . . . . .

I have a friend here that is sending out resumes today! Is he crazy? Maybe he's premature.

If he was to get an interview, what do you tell the recruiter? "Yeah, I'll take your job offer! That'd be great, but I can't tell you yes or no till I get furloughd."

(over a year seniority) - Since I'm less than 300 from the bottom, I'm a little nervous. I'm going to get a management job at NW, then I'll be set no matter what with my new pension $$ I hope that doesn't get approved ;(

 

[sf3boy]

fly4hire

If this is a self financed BK, then NW has been planning on doing this for a couple of years. Maybe the management is smarter than I give them credit for. They got the NW pilots to give concessions all the while knowing that they were going to file. Now the real concessions will begin.