Mesaba gets CRJ's

[PCL_128]

Congrats guys. You deserve it after the BS you've put up with over the years. It's a good airplane and you'll love flying it.

 

[saabingitagain]

Current CRJ (40-59 seat jet) DOS + 1 Sample pay rates
1st year FO 23.54 All fleet types)
2 Year Capt 58.81 FO 30.99
6 Year Capt 66.19 FO 36.88 (Hopefully there won't be any 6 year fos anymore!)

 

[xjavro85]

Sounds like most of the xj crj flying will be msp based and pncl will shrink some in msp but grow in mem....

 

[RampTower]

Whatever NWA plans to do with the CRJs, it's still speculation until more routes are announced.

But in practical terms, I just can't see a whole lot of net growth in MSP excluding any future terminal additions. 2 runways (minus the new, out of place runway 17/35 in no man's land), and it's already backed up so bad we're turning 30 mile finals, regularly holding 10-20 minutes, and ground stopped at out stations on a regular basis.

I'm all for growth, but lets say NWA wants to shove another 25-30 CRJs in MSP. good luck in trying to work that out with the FAA, who already is not very tolerant of NWA trying to grow MSP. We will all be turning final beyond St. cloud using the 12s or turning final over La Cross using the 30s. Then imagine the ground traffic, especially at the 1, 5 and 7pm push. However, some of these CRJs could be replacing the Saabs. Oh well ,we're all on the clock. We'll just be taxiing 1 hour for 20 minute flights.

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Sounds like most of the xj crj flying will be msp based and pncl will shrink some in msp but grow in mem....

Steenland:

. . .we will be growing our Milwaukee hub by 40% and our new Indianapolis hub will double in size. We will be opening new hubs in Dayton and Grand Rapids. The real pain will be in Memphis and Minneapolis where we will only grow 5-10%. Detroit will grow a healthy 20% as it is the core of our business strategy.

His words. And I'd love to give you guys a source, but I can't find the link anymore. I bummed that quote from another thread.

So, growth in MSP? Maybe, maybe not.

 

[Indypilot]

Steenland:

. . .we will be growing our Milwaukee hub by 40% and our new Indianapolis hub will double in size. We will be opening new hubs in Dayton and Grand Rapids. The real pain will be in Memphis and Minneapolis where we will only grow 5-10%. Detroit will grow a healthy 20% as it is the core of our business strategy.

His words. And I'd love to give you guys a source, but I can't find the link anymore. I bummed that quote from another thread.

So, growth in MSP? Maybe, maybe not.

Now is that mainline NWA opening a GRR hub? and if so, would some of the airlinks open a hub there too, or would it simply be a mainline mini hub?

 

[xjhawk]

I think, the best news is that our Union leadership held strong! way to go! that makes me very happy!

 

[Lear70]

What are your current pay rates in your new contract for the CRJ??

The same as Pinnacle's 5 year-old contract rates plus about 1%.

This comes as no surprise to anyone unless your head's been burried in the sand the last few years, and is definitely long-overdue growth for Mesba. Congrats to all moving up to CA slots on the Saab and new CRJ pilots - hopefully your training program will be better than ours and our management can "take notes"...

 

[wmudriver]

Is XJ going to keep hiring like they have been for "attrition and better a/c utilization" or are they going to put the brakes on that and wait to start up again when the CRJ's are closer to being on property?

Hopefully they keep hiring through March 2006 like they say they will be.

 

[Carl_Spackler]

Just don't get bent out of shape when ATC tells you to follow the "company" CRJ

 

[RampTower]

Just don't get bent out of shape when ATC tells you to follow the "company" CRJ

When the Avro first arrived, NWA guys would get all bent out of shape when they were told to follow "company Avro".

 

[RampTower]

Is XJ going to keep hiring like they have been for "attrition and better a/c utilization" or are they going to put the brakes on that and wait to start up again when the CRJ's are closer to being on property?

Hopefully they keep hiring through March 2006 like they say they will be.

Well according to our union, there are no changes in equipment changes/freezes. There WAS talk of it before this announcement but now when the CRJ arrives, it's an all out seniority based bidding war. It's safe to assume, that most senior Saab captains will bid the CRJ CA (Avro Captains sitting well will probably not give up their pay to fly something new, except those low on the Avro CA list) and the CRJ FO could go to junior Saab/Avro folks who are tired of gettting Saab azz and just want to fly something new. but it's all speculation at this point. All in all, it's really tough to predict who's going to bid what. And with the question "Where are the CRJs going to go?" could there be a GRR base? IND? MKE? in time we will find out.

As of the last vacancy awards, DTW saab CA is starting to go more junior, under 5 years now. July or August 00 I believe.....

 

[Carl_Spackler]

I could just see some NWA pilot having a heart attack after hearing something like that.

 

[Simon Says]

I think, the best news is that our Union leadership held strong! way to go! that makes me very happy!

It is about time someone spoke up to give the Union some credit. There are no concessions people!!!!!!! This is no small feat. What do you think the union and the company were talking about the last four weeks. The Mesaba MEC came out strong on this one.

Oh yeah lets give a shout out to Brad and the rest of the negotitating comittee.

Good Job folks and keep up the good work.

 

[cl-65link]

To all XJ'ers, congrats. For the Saab folks, enjoy the hot-wing in the winter and the APU in the summer(when it's not deferred) .

 

[The Transporter]

Glad to see union grew some gonads and told company where to shove managements proposal for extended contract,pref bidding and postion freezes..I just couldnt bear to give anything on our "growth contract" even if it meant this deal didnt come to fruition....but that said...thank fcuk for some growth and maybe we can get a few career FO's off food stamps...its been a long time coming .

 

[dueguard1]

With This many CRJ's comming aboard, approx. How many crews/ pilots would it take to operate each aircraft?????

 

[jobear]

deleted sounded to arguemenative

 

[RampTower]

With This many CRJ's comming aboard, approx. How many crews/ pilots would it take to operate each aircraft?????

Typically, we've used about 9 pilots per aircraft, 5 captains and 4 First Officers. With no changes to our equipment change and freeze language, I think most newhires will not be getting the CRJ. Most existing Saab Captains will slide over to CRJ CA and existing FOs with more than 3 years but probably not more than 4 years, will want to bid the CRJ FO. Once u change equipment as an FO, you're seatlocked for 2 years. Current 4+ year FOs are now looking to take the saab upgrade as the company prepares for the mass exodus from Saab to CRJ.

 

[BighitterLama]

Virgin post here: Does anyone know why we rejected PBS?

 

[Towelie]

Virgin post here: Does anyone know why we rejected PBS?

I put this on the other thread too...

PBS would be great, however, we need certain guarantees from the company before we say "yes."

The company wants to implement PBS with the ability to control what is allowed to be bid on. For instance, they might decide one month to pull all day trips out of the PBS so they can't be bid on. Dumb stuff like that so they can manipulate the PBS at their whim. ALPA said we want to make sure PBS is what it should be -- a true PBS system with no contraints.

Bottom line, the company wants PBS so they can have their cake and eat it too. ALPA has said that ain't going to happen.

Make no mistake, ALPA would like PBS to help the pilots. But they aren't going to do it just to do it. Also, with three fleet types the company is REALLY going to need this or crew planning will be buried. This way ALPA can help force the issue. By not agreeing to it before the announcement, they can get it done the right way after the award.

 

[Longhorn]

Congrats to the Mesaba guys...You deserve it. You will love the CRJ. Great plane to fly.

longhorn....

 

[psycho]

Can't wait to see you (Mesaba) guys when the man makes me go back to the salt mine on the 26th. Gonna be some smilin faces in the hallway cuz you know 15 jets is just the start. WORD UP You folks deserve some growth and thanks for being so gracious while we were getting ours. Now we need to go to work on our mainline buds to create a Shindler's list of sorts for us.

Congrats again.

 

[T-handle]

That was quick Supervisor of CRJ Training

Posting Date:04/25/2005

Job Title:Supervisor of CRJ TrainingJob

Location:Eagan, Minnesota

Job Details at www.mesaba.com (employment page)

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• 3 – 5 years of experience in air carrier operation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills.
• Broad and in-depth knowledge of the aircraft's operation, as well as general business knowledge.
• Knowledge of company policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Basic computer skills including proficiency with word processing and email soft.

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• ATP certificate with CRJ type rating

 

[CptOver]

Most existing Saab Captains will slide over to CRJ CA and existing FOs with more than 3 years but probably not more than 4 years, will want to bid the CRJ FO.

I doubt it. Most newhires will be CRJ FO's. Why, because all 15 are to be delivered (supposedly) by Feb. FO's with less than 3 years can't move aircraft, and FO's with more than 3 years will be Saab Captains (or CRJ captains as everyone watches how the lines develop). Unless of course, the FO has more than 3 years and refuses to commute.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

Seatlock is only for two years. So I'm with RampTower that we will see many 2 year, out of seatlock FO's jump ship to the CRJ. Many will take the first opportunity to fly a jet.

 

[RampTower]

Seatlock is only for two years. So I'm with RampTower that we will see many 2 year, out of seatlock FO's jump ship to the CRJ. Many will take the first opportunity to fly a jet.

Actually Stiff (to correct myself)

The initial seatlock from DOH is 3 years then you can change seat to another FO seat and then it's 2 years. But seatlock and freezes, can be waived at any time the company so desires to fill the seats. Right now the Saab upgrade is at a little less than 5 years and will be rapidly falling this summer/fall as the CRJs come online and training goes into full swing. This is how it was when we got the Avro.

The CRJ CA could initially go more junior than most people think because of several reasons. The training- who wants to be the guinea pig in the first couple of classes? WHERE will the initial trainig takes place?? In montreal or at our own training center? Will we have CRJ simulators by the summer time?

What about the schedules? we will probably only have a few select cities, at first, so it's going to be crappy 11-12-13 day off lines with lots of sit time between turns. And that brings up the other big question? Where will these 15 CRJs be based out of ? If not one of our hubs, then GRR? IND? DAY? MKE? This is all common when new aircraft arrive. But in the long run, it all works out. I for one will put up with the headaches of new aircraft. Time will tell, time will tell.....

 

[Workin'Stiff]

My bad... Haven't look at those type of "contract" items in a while... I stand corrected.

 

[GEORGE DUBYA]

If a newhire were hired in the next month or so would they get the CRJ or are they going to start hiring into it later on?

 

[PCL_128]

To be honest, with the pay being the same I would probably stay on the Saab if I were an XJ FO. It usually takes a little while for the schedules to get bearable on a new fleet type. Your QOL would probably be much better on the Saab, and flying an RJ really isn't that big a deal.