More ACA Furloughs announced

[CRJ_Driver]

This just in. The company notified ALPA MEC that an additional amount of 3-4 pilots furloughed in May.

800-TAG-ALPA

 

[AWACoff]

I am sorry to hear that. Good luck guys...good luck to us all.

 

[tired_pilot]

3 or 4 furloughs??

what am I missing? why would any company lay off 3 or 4 pilots?????? got to love commuter mentality

 

[tarp]

I think the actual number is 9 additional changing our May number of furloughee's from 34 to 43.

The reason for "9" is that they have probably identified precisely how many pilots can be let go before our "bump and flush" contract proviso kicks in. Once they reach a golden number, they will be forced to move people in seniority back to other aircraft positions (CRJ, FRJ, J-41) and re-train them - i.e. actually a significant cost rather than savings.

There was just a "Black Friday" at HQ on 4/11. Supposedly, Tom Moore fired his admin assistant in a show that no one was immune from cost-cutting. It was already verified that the Recruiting Department was shut down earlier this week.

I don't get this at all - our airline is healthy, our terminals and planes are packed, we are literally busting at the seams in our own success and management is hunkering down for a catastrophe. Of course, I don't have the big picture and obviously never will.

 

[logolight]

I believe the reason for the 9 extra is because there's a class of 9 pilots currently in CRJ class coming from the J41 that should be finishing up training by the end of the month. Once they get on line, that will push out the bottom 9 pilots on the seniority list and this will keep the number of line pilots where ACA needs them.

Now from what I understand, ACA is assuming that unless we get our operating costs down to levels that stay competetive with Mesa and Chautauqua, United will dump us off for a cheaper airline. Even though ACA is still making a profit, they're worried about losing the contract and that's why they're using such drastic measures with cost cuts. I also heard that ACA submitted thier books to ALPA last week for review as part of the proposed pilot concessions. ACA also laid off 7 or 8 non line holding sim instructors last week as well.

It is believed that if ACA looses the contract with United, they will for sure park the J41 fleet to become an all jet airline. That means close to 500 furloughs and the bump-and-flush between the JR and the DoJet which will cost between $15 to 25 million.

We'll see how things turn out.


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