Midwest looking for 50 seat A/C

[n757st]

Don't get too excited man. I don't want these guys looking at us like we looked at the CHQ guys when the 69 planes thing came out. At least we can stand on our laurels in that we have the highest paid contract, and that is is possible to attract new buisness with a good contract. Of course we may not get any new flying and be screwed!

Umm... if you are talking about your pilot contract... you are not the highest paid. Decent Contract? Yes. Highest paid.. no.

 

[avrodriver]

Umm... if you are talking about your pilot contract... you are not the highest paid. Decent Contract? Yes. Highest paid.. no.

Thank you!

I suppose this is where we start comparing paychecks and whoever makes a dollar more wins the title. WHO GIVES A SH*T.

Whether Mesa wins this or Expressjet wins this it all adds up to the same thing. WAKE UP!!

PILOT CONTRACTS TO NOT MAKE OR BREAK who gets new business. There are an endless amount of variables that go into these things. Management has suceeded in brainwashing half of you into believing that you determine your on fate on how low your willing to go.

On another note....get some class guys. Do you really think Skyway guys are going to look at an Expressjet/AWAC guy diffrerently than they do a Mesa guy if this whole thing goes through. Do you really think by constantly repeating "We's Rich B*tch, we don't work for free so it's ok!!!" that they will find some comfort in that?

This whole thing is f*cked up, but fortunately for some and unfortunately for others none of us have any say in it. Let it play out.

 

[BoilerUP]

I agree with avrodriver.

Pilot costs at the regional level DO NOT make a difference in whether a company can place a competitive bid or not. Aircraft payments/leases are a much larger piece of that puzzle, and a buck or even three per hour difference in hourly rates isn't a make-or-break deal. Besides, Midwest's standards of service are so high Mesa doesn't have a chance in this RFP. Not a dig on the pilot group, just stating facts.

All that being said, I seriously doubt anybody wants Skyway pilots to lose jobs over this. The RJ would almost have to be additionaly frequency for the 717s, replace or supplement the 328Js on high-load routes, or new market expansion.

 

[FlyinPiker]

Additional details released from AWAC:

Midwest is looking for 15-25 50 seat aircraft (inclusive of one spare).

Aircraft will operate from both Kansas City and Milwaukee.

Aircraft will also be doing some point to point service.

Will operate under the Midwest Connect brand which includes serving cookies.

Carrier selected will need to provide optimal service.

Operation will need to be self financed.

Bid is due by June 30th.

No deadline as to when results will be released.

 

[EX_CV580FR8Dawg]

We should know by the end of the summer/early fall as to what the analysis brings.

 

[pilotmyf]

Don't get too excited man. I don't want these guys looking at us like we looked at the CHQ guys when the 69 planes thing came out. At least we can stand on our laurels in that we have the highest paid contract, and that is is possible to attract new buisness with a good contract. Of course we may not get any new flying and be screwed!

Why did CO reduce you guys in the first place?

 

[DrewBlows]

well they requested a bid from us for 25 planes so i guess thats the number they feel they want, wouldnt you agree?

I have flown for two regionals, Comair and Skyway. While at Skyway, they discussed flying for Delta and United. At Comair they discussed flying with Northwest and United. The level of discussions varied but do you see my point?

 

[mckpickle]

I agree with avrodriver.

Pilot costs at the regional level DO NOT make a difference in whether a company can place a competitive bid or not..

So than why have so many taken pay cuts or accepted sub-par contracts then?

 

[mckpickle]

Why did CO reduce you guys in the first place?

To diversify the feed as well as reduce the number of RJ's flying the CAL brand. We are more expensive than other carriers. But do those other carriers offer a 99.92-.97% completion factor?

 

[mckpickle]

Umm... if you are talking about your pilot contract... you are not the highest paid. Decent Contract? Yes. Highest paid.. no.

Compared to whom? Apples to apples.

 

[n757st]

Compared to whom? Apples to apples.

Air Wisconsin, but it is off topic and I apologize for bringing it up. Who ever gets the flying will likely be taking flying from skyway, it really sucks. And while AWAC might have a hanger, this also might be a moot point as Midwest is trying to lease part of thier hanger, so really anyone could move in pretty quick and start operations there. We will all just have to wait and see until late summer when they will likely decide.

 

[mckpickle]

Air Wisconsin, but it is off topic and I apologize for bringing it up. Who ever gets the flying will likely be taking flying from skyway, it really sucks. And while AWAC might have a hanger, this also might be a moot point as Midwest is trying to lease part of thier hanger, so really anyone could move in pretty quick and start operations there. We will all just have to wait and see until late summer when they will likely decide.

True, it does suck for the Skyway guys. I think a wholey owned should use it's assets before outsourcing. I also think CAL should never have sold us off. As far as Air Wisky I'm not sure what pay scales you're looking at however XJT's are about 2 bucks more per hour for captains. The FO rates favor AW in the first 3 years and then match. HOWEVER, XJT gets much more of a 401K match, more per diem. I'm not sure of the vacatio proviion in their contract however I have 1 week this month and was scheduled to fly 5 days. The 4 day I'm picking up on Friday is 21 hours of overtime pay. The cost of our contract is not in the pay rates alone but mostly the work rules.

I'm not trying to brag or pull this whole my airline is better bullshat. What I''m saying is that it IS POSSIBLE to raise the bar, not lower it. It increase the good service you provide and not kill it. So all those guys taking pay cuts or flying 70 seat a/c for 50 seat prices are crazy. Stand up for yourselves and the profession for christ sake!

 

[ultrarunner]

Maybe the 25 airplanes are intended to replace the ENTIRE Skyway fleet and just lease the whole commuter unit instead of owning it...

My guess is that some 717 flying is going to get replaced also.

 

[BoilerUP]

So than why have so many taken pay cuts or accepted sub-par contracts then?

Because they didn't know then what they do know now. Reference Comair, Air Wisconsin/UAL, even Expressjet/CAL. Your new contract didn't make you "too expensive" for CAL...

Mesa accepted a "sub-par contract" in part to kill & scope anti-union Freedom. Their contract comes up soon, so lets all support JA and company and make sure they get what they deserve. CHQ accepted a "sub-par" contract (to some, at least 70/90 rates) in part to kill & scope non-union Republic. But you knew that already.

The arguing about payrates & shiat is stupid, especially when it refers to Skyway and the Midwest RFP. AWAC pilots got a pretty good raise a couple months ago due to our industry average adjustment in part to XJT's new contract. I acknowledge that and say "thank you!"...but hopefully, a couple months after June 28th "the bar" for 50 seat rates will be reset and this whole frickin' discussion will be *moot*.

 

[punkpilot48]

but hopefully, a couple months after June 28th "the bar" for 50 seat rates will be reset and this whole frickin' discussion will be mute.

WHat happens june 28th?