NWA applicants be aware of this

[nwaredtail]

I was called by a ( living in MSP) friend who was offered a job at NWA . He currently works for another airline but doesn't want to commute. He's a pretty junior FO just returning from furlough at the other company.

The powers that be told him that NWA will have a ton of retirements coming up (true, about 700-900 in the next 4 years, without age 65) and he will move up quickly.

Uh, well, let me tell ya whats really going on.

What they FAILED to tell him was that the are parking 70 airplanesand there will be about 700-800 less positions in the next year. They are adding about 100 more widebody positions, but you will be junior for a very long time at NWA if you come here.

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up. Good luck.

 

[whatitdoing?]

jesus....how nice of them.

 

[PUCK]

A couple of things.

If they FAILED to tell him how did he find out?? Rumor, or maybe a quarterly statement you can refer us to:erm:

Second You have been saying this for sometime now on here, and I just don't buy it. It's all about timeing. Compass is the -9 killer right; but they are ramping up very slowly. I have asked several -9 crews about this and they always say the -9's are slated to be gone by 2016 (wow 9 years away).

They are not taking over Midwest, nor are they running it, for now. So you're going to tell me (just next year) they are just going to shut down their domestic route structure?? For what purpose???

And 70 A/C, isn't that all the -9's and then 20 or so 319/320's?? Isn't that like quite a ramp down?? I'm just asking for my own information since you or your friend might have the insight that the investors don't.

Just asking for you to explain.

Jer

 

[brainhurts]

Puck,
Nwaredtail is trying to give you some sage advice. He has been at NWA a long time (I was there 8+ years) and what he is telling you is: if you already have a good job, look elsewhere. NWA has 110 dc 9's to retire. NWA management has been the leader in the whipsaw game using rj companies (Pinnacle, Mesaba, Compass, Big Sky) as a threat to mainline flying AND each other. (Whenever I say that I get a backlash of RJ guys thinking I am slamming them--I am not--It's just that this management team is the......Voldemort of airline management) He is trying to point out that as a junior guy, you might be temp fodder to staff the airline until the company gets past: 1. Mergers 2. Age 65 3. The offloading of 110 DC9's.
If you want to go to NWA please go. The senior guys will be happy to have you. Just be forwarned that the picture the recruiters are giving you is skewed.

 

[The Victors]

Puck,
Nwaredtail is trying to give you some sage advice. He has been at NWA a long time (I was there 8+ years) and what he is telling you is: if you already have a good job, look elsewhere. NWA has 110 dc 9's to retire. NWA management has been the leader in the whipsaw game using rj companies (Pinnacle, Mesaba, Compass, Big Sky) as a threat to mainline flying AND each other. (Whenever I say that I get a backlash of RJ guys thinking I am slamming them--I am not--It's just that this management team is the......Voldemort of airline management) He is trying to point out that as a junior guy, you might be temp fodder to staff the airline until the company gets past: 1. Mergers 2. Age 65 3. The offloading of 110 DC9's.
If you want to go to NWA please go. The senior guys will be happy to have you. Just be forwarned that the picture the recruiters are giving you is skewed.

Good post. Sounds A LOT like 1999 US Air!

 

[JAM-BRO]

Redtail and every one interested...

According to rumors we were supposed to have done away with 50+ A/C by the end of the year. The Jan08 Flying Bulletin(projected crews req) came out and has the same number of CAs and FOs on the DC9 in DTW and MSP as it has had all YEAR... Go figure! Our planes are full. How are they gonna park full planes. Here is the Jan08 FB.


Permanent Position Total Pilots Most Junior
ANCCA747B 80 944
ANCCA747R 29 1166
ANCFO747B 68 3273
ANCFO747R 25 3668
ANCSO747B 99 3721
ANCSO747R 28 4290
DTWCA320B 243 2489
DTWCA320R 57 3038
DTWCA330B 172 1017
DTWCA330R 34 1160
DTWCA744B 165 605
DTWCA744R 46 732
DTWCA757B 218 1890
DTWCA757R 42 2572
DTWCADC9B 153 3457
DTWCADC9R 39 4079
DTWFO320B 211 4546
DTWFO320R 59 5295
DTWFO330B 183 3545
DTWFO330R 34 3681
DTWFO744B 162 2382
DTWFO744R 35 3064
DTWFO757B 199 4328
DTWFO757R 39 4856
DTWFODC9B 166 5262
DTWFODC9R 41 5298
MEMCA320B 75 2231
MEMCA320R 16 2736
MEMCADC9B 49 3302
MEMCADC9R 10 3618
MEMFO320B 72 4404
MEMFO320R 19 4839
MEMFODC9B 57 5056
MEMFODC9R 16 5296
MSPCA320B 331 2306
MSPCA320R 71 3216
MSPCA330B 12 130
MSPCA330R 5 185
MSPCA757B 209 1689
MSPCA757R 42 2150
MSPCADC9B 170 3656
MSPCADC9R 41 4020
MSPFO320B 268 4561
MSPFO320R 68 5279
MSPFO330B 22 2776
MSPFO330R 6 3286
MSPFO757B 188 4298
MSPFO757R 40 4830
MSPFODC9B 171 5114
MSPFODC9R 54 5285
SEACA330B 87 1080
SEACA330R 18 1288
SEAFO330B 107 3318
SEAFO330R 25 3462
Total* 4876
*does include recalled or new-hire pilots

 

[contrail67]

NWA will try to follow other airlines...they are not a leading airline. They have never been the one to take a chance....very conservitive mgmnt team.....thus a DC9 they are finally getting rid of with the compass pointer pointing the wrong direction on one side!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

No one has a crystal ball. It's very hard to figure out what will work best for you and your family.

NWA will get rid of all their DC-9s at some point. They are planning on replacing them with Bombardier "C" aircraft or the new Boeing 100 seat aircraft starting somewhere around 2010/2012.

They are parking some Airbus 319/320s that had high lease rates. They are the N. American launch customer for the -787, with orders and options.

I have not heard anything about NWA's cargo fleet, but with the growth in worldwide cargo, I wouldn't be surprised if NWA added more cargo-only 747s.

Also, will NWA and DAL merge in the next year or two???

I think getting on at NWA now is better than going to UAL, but not as good as DAL.

I think if you got on at CAL early (last year) that would be better than NWA, but I'm not sure which would be better now.

I think NWA now is better than USAir later.

NWA now vs. waiting/hoping for AA later? Who knows.

I also think leaving a legacy to go to NWA now, unless you're very junior, is probably a bad idea.

Good Luck to YOU!

cliff
ILN

 

[PCL_128]

They are planning on replacing them with Bombardier "C" aircraft or the new Boeing 100 seat aircraft starting somewhere around 2010/2012.

And where exactly did you get that information? Both of these aircraft are still conceptual ideas, and NWA has made no such announcement of plans to order either of these airframes. The more likely scenario? Compass is grown like a frickin' weed and the DC-9s are retired simultaneously. Then, Compass is sold off in 3-5 years so the execs can make another fortune.

 

[Diesel-9]

Careful what you read and believe on here. As of yesterday, NWA will be flying around 25 less(75) DC-9s by the end of '08. 50 DC-9's will still be here after 2010. I would bet today a 744-8F freighter (777F/330F maybe) ordered by end of year. NBA charter/charter ops deal to be signed any day, keeping the other 10 or so A-319's to be rumored so much to be let go. Most -9 and -320 F/O's will be on bigger equipment in 12 months if they so desire. 1800 retirements in 10 years. Talk of many new 787 destinations all over the world about to unfold. Other things brewing and much optimism for those looking forward. There has been many things said and going around with little fact especially on this site. The 40+ month new hire rates are to cover increased utilization internationally, retirements and improved staffing.

 

[mynameisjim]

I think those that want to see something positive at NWA will see something positive. Those that want to see something negative at NWA will see something negative.

Positives:
There are still airplanes coming, Airbuses and Boeings.
Pilots are retiring.


Negatives:
There are still airplanes coming, Embraers and Canadairs
Age 65 is coming.
DC-9s are retiring

You can see what ever you want to see.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I heard from a friend initially about the "C" aircraft or the Boeing aircraft that are "planned" (obviously plans can change-there was no press release because no orders have been placed yet) to replace the DC-9s. Then I read this month's NWA in-flight magazine where the CEO was talking about replacing the DC-9 fleet.

cliff
ILN

PS-I totally understand how some pilots can be totally pissed at NWA/UAL/DAL/CAL/USAir/AA, while others think things are improving and want to return/start at those airlines now.