Midwest Express to lay off 200 to 250

[DH106]

Anyone hear any rumors if pilots are included in these layoffs at MidEx?

REUTERS --- "Midwest Express Holdings Inc. (NYSE:MEH - News), in another sign of lingering trouble in the U.S. airline industry, on Thursday warned it would lose more money than analysts had expected and said it would take steps to reduce costs, including cutting 200 to 250 jobs by year-end."

 

[Fr8Dog]

did they say if it was going to be pilots or other employes.

 

[DH106]

I don't know. That's what I was asking in the original message. If anyone knows, please reply. Thanks!

 

[Fr8Dog]

Ok I talked to one of our mechanics, who flys for MidEx today and he said at this time they are saying it is NOT pilots that are being laid off just other people.

 

[DH106]

Well, as much as I hate that anyone would get layed off (I'm one of the furloughees currently), I'm glad that the rumor is that pilots will not be among the additional layed off. Thanks for the info.

 

[Capt. Over]

Hey Capt. Oveur

Nice name jerkweed.....very original.

 

[pilotyip]

Why the layoffs?

Companies only make money when people pay for their product, if their product or sevice is not competitive they take in less money. Rumors of strikes worry people paying money to go somewhere. Without money coming in to cover expenses, companies go out of business. Lay offs come when a company is worried about going out of business. Without layoffs the day may come sooner. This management's fault, they are not properly manging the company. Management needs help. Have the employee's steped up to help managment save the company, like AirTran did last year.

 

[Lindy]

You need better information...

PilotYIP:

You are misinformed about what AirTran did versus MidEx.

At no time did Management proffer any opportunity for reduced line flying to prevent furloughees; in fact, there exist lines w/ over 80 hours credit to date, open time, while there are still pilots on furlough.

The Management at AirTran was willing to listen to alternatives to avoid furloughs and layoffs. Midwest Express decided to furlough, no discussion.

There are two different management teams in place and for you to imply that the employees are at fault, you are simplifying the issue.

As for the potential flight attendant strike (debacle), I guess they didn't "get the memo" about what is going on in the rest of the airline industry.

 

[Dep676]

Well you know that pilotyip is in management at his company. That is why he thinks like that.

 

[pilotyip]

Like I said

Like I said it is a management problem, not a line problem, unions are caused by bad management. If you had had good management you would not have these problems. I suggested you help them. Show them how to save the airline, go on strike if they don't follow your sugggestions whe nyour contract comes up for renewal.

 

[Lindy]

Uh, why so bitter against MidEx? Going on strike isn't the answer to everything.

I know "D" (my fomer roommate) turned them down and he is doing absolutely fabulous at JetBlue.

And, I really am furloughed from MidEx.

Take Care and Fly Safe

 

[eightdriver]

I have a friend at ME on furlough, and he just received a letter from the Chief Pilot. It stated that no more pilots will be called back this year or in '03. It stated that all recalls were frozen for the next year or so. Does anyone have any more info on this situation?

 

[SpiderMan]

Wow, havent heard that, how recent was this letter? I also have a friend that is 25 away from being called back. That totally blows dog if its true.

Never mind you said your friend just received it, so it must have been late last week. Bummer.

 

[bravo]

Not good news at Medex. I am one of the furloughed DC-9 guys that got the letter this week. It was dated Sept.12. It seemed to go along with the announcement this week by Midwest on the very bad 3rd. quarter loss and a very poor outlook for the rest of the year and 200 - 250 people layed off. Looks like changes again in there flight schedules to reduce service just like they did after 9/11.

With the sale of two DC-9's by the end of the year and nothing to replace them would indicate less pilots needed at this time. Wouldn't be surprised if the 717's are pushed back. They need them for fuel and maintenance savings, but you have to have the revenue and cash flow to make the payments. Business does not look good.

 

[magneticmd80]

I just got off the phone with our MEC Chairman, and he said he knew nothing of this so called letter sent out to the furloughed pilots. I myself am furloughed, and I have yet to receive this letter. I am inclined to believe no such letter exists. I take the words of my MEC Chairman more seriously than a message board. If anyone did receive such letter, please let us know what it said. Thanks.

 

[bravo]

There is a letter

Yes, there is a letter. Came from Mike Rabbitt himself. One of my classmates also got one. Jay might want to give Mike a call and see whats up or for that fact, call him yourself. His closing sentence " Please call our office if we can help in any way". You know Mike, a pretty open guy. Mail might be alittle slow in some areas.

This furlough business is serious stuff for alot of pilots, and I would never play games with news like this.

I am sure that things can change at a moments notice, but inlight of the financial news and the flight attendant situation, things are not looking to good.

Good luck.

 

[Lindy]

The letter...

Yes, it really does exist. Received it in the mail today. Not to be rude, I have found that the information on this board is MORE accurate than other sources.

It was well written and I especially like the first paragraph that, in part stated "[o]ur prayers are with all of the families affected by the tragedies last year."

Additionally, the time line for recalls, as ennunciated by Midwest Express : "will not be recalling any more pilots for the remainder of this year, and potentially the first half of 2003."


The one item that didn't add up was the listed number of pilots still furloughed. I thought that there were about 12 more than listed. Check your seniority lists.

PM if anyone has questions.

 

[Jake]

Amazing!!

About four weeks ago at the OBAP convention Midex was all smiles and said they would be having new hire classes the first of the year. Then three weeks ago, this info was confirmed by a VERY reliable source in the pilot recruiting office. In the course of three weeks they have become so hard-up that they are laying off 200-250 people and pushing off recalls almost a year.

Absolutely amazing!! How can such a well run airline make such a blunder. Did someone in the finance dept. misplace a decimal several places or add a several zeros inadvertantly? Did mid-quarter numbers all of a sudden take a "dive"?

Oh well, best of luck to everyone who was counting on some good news for a change and now has to re-group.

Cheers.

 

[1800 RVR]

That was the story that was floating around back in August - new hire class in Jan/Feb. However, the flight attendants threatening their CHAOS stuff I believe is really cutting into the future bookings. This, as well as the industry going into the slowest 2 quarters, isn't helping the bottom line. The predictions that they made this summer in regards to staffing needs were probably viewed through rose-colored glasses. Now they're talking about eliminating 200-250 positions to ease the financial bleeding. Some of those jobs will be through furlough.

NOTE: NO PILOT FURLOUGHS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED, YET.

This doesn't mean that there won't be any again. The latest message says that management needs to figure out the block hours, aircraft flows, training bubble for the 717, etc. for the revised flight schedule that will go into effect in Nov. This will give an idea as to how many pilots are needed to cover the schedule. We are opening new markets as well as giving some to Skyway RJ's, so it's hard to tell what the net increase/decrease in flying will be. Those of us at the bottom of the list are waiting to see if we are going to be shown the door, again.

I really think that if the AFA and the company could agree on a contract, things might start to look a little better.