Piedmont Rumor Mill Gets Into High Gear

[LowlyPropCapt]

Alrighty... The rumor of the day:

Doug Parker was in CLT today and spoke with some members of the training staff. There are apparently no new airframes in the works for PDT (shocker!). Also, PDT and PSA would have to be sold as part of any merger with UA.

Discuss...

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

Don't know 'bout that. The wholly owned's offer the control that Parker likes. Look at it this way, dealing with an Orenstein is a whole lot different than dictating to an Orenstein.

I believe the no new airframes, but selling them off I seriously think we need the lift they provide.

 

[OurMoney1]

PSA's Tim Kuescher

TK briefed his inner circle today that they will likely be looking for jobs if this goes through. PHX has led DAY to believe that they have maybe 18 months before the scheduled shut down commences. If no buyer, which they don't believe there will be one, TK see's a closing as the only alternative to navigating this merger. "If the deal needs PDT/PSA to be exercised from the blueprint, believe me, our days are numbered," he stated.

TK made many referances to the fact that COMAIR has been for sale for almost 9 months with zero interest from buyers. He believes PSA flies an aircraft that is not a future player as oil continues to climb.

Does not sound good for the Red Headed Step Kids....

 

[OPECJet]

Time to file that single carrier petition... Yesterday....

 

[kf4amu]

Who the hell would buy them? Nobody wants 50 seat RJ's with gas prices the way they are, and for some reason, there are only 2 US airlines actively pursuing Turboprops (Horizon and Colgan/Pinnacle/Continental).

I see 0 demand for an moneymaking operation made up of a 17 year old fleet of efficient, established turboprops.

I see even less demand for a fleet of RJs.

 

[OPECJet]

Who the hell would buy them? Nobody wants 50 seat RJ's with gas prices the way they are, and for some reason, there are only 2 US airlines actively pursuing Turboprops (Horizon and Colgan/Pinnacle/Continental).

I see 0 demand for an moneymaking operation made up of a 17 year old fleet of efficient, established turboprops.

I see even less demand for a fleet of RJs.

Thank you Captain Obvious.....

 

[BeCareful!]

Time to file that single carrier petition... Yesterday....

Ask for DOH!!!

 

[wanabe_fo]

Here is part of the problem with shutting down PSA and Piedmont to a certain extent. Unless Airways goes back into BK, it will be pretty hard to get rid of the leases on the airframes. All PSA aircraft are leased and I believe some of the Dash metal is as well. These aircraft are on the books for UsAirways, not PSA or Piedmont. Parker, or Tilton for that matter, can not go to the leasor and say we don't want these anymore without a BK filling. And a BK filling will be pretty tough considering the amount of nonrestricted funds both companies have.

 

[Metro752]

You need to start looking at the little metal plates on the planes then, quite a few say Owned by US Airways.

 

[LowlyPropCapt]

Here is part of the problem with shutting down PSA and Piedmont to a certain extent. Unless Airways goes back into BK, it will be pretty hard to get rid of the leases on the airframes. All PSA aircraft are leased and I believe some of the Dash metal is as well. These aircraft are on the books for UsAirways, not PSA or Piedmont. Parker, or Tilton for that matter, can not go to the leasor and say we don't want these anymore without a BK filling. And a BK filling will be pretty tough considering the amount of nonrestricted funds both companies have.

Dunno about the CRJs, but many of the 8's are ouright owned by US Airways.

I sense a flight to the desert in my future...

 

[Sig]

Dunno about the CRJs, but many of the 8's are ouright owned by US Airways.

I sense a flight to the desert in my future...

Well.


It sure was fun while it lasted!!

 

[greyskyracer]

Don't worry I am sure our leadership is activly pursuing to contract our services to feed another legacy carrier. Flexability is just one of the many advntages of being wholly-owned.

 

[ex j-41]

TK briefed his inner circle today that they will likely be looking for jobs if this goes through. PHX has led DAY to believe that they have maybe 18 months before the scheduled shut down commences. If no buyer, which they don't believe there will be one, TK see's a closing as the only alternative to navigating this merger. "If the deal needs PDT/PSA to be exercised from the blueprint, believe me, our days are numbered," he stated.

TK made many referances to the fact that COMAIR has been for sale for almost 9 months with zero interest from buyers. He believes PSA flies an aircraft that is not a future player as oil continues to climb.

Does not sound good for the Red Headed Step Kids....

Comair is a totally different animal from PSA. Don't think you can compare the two. Also management will do anything around contract time....so let the games begin.
I believe all this scare tactics is centered around Doug Parker getting us to fly 90 seaters for 50 seat rates.

 

[Clipper_Aurora]

Hmmmmmm......

In the UAL FA's contract it states "anything" owned by UAL , UAL FA's must staff these planes. PSA and Piedmont MUST be sold for the deal to go thru. Piedmont will find a new home, THEY need gas sipping props, PSA, well We're finished 50 seaters gone, 14 700's easy sell to skywest, as far as using this scare tactic to get 900's on property, yeeeah NO, if they aren't going to buy state of the art fuel sipping Q400 machines, then they WON'T buy 900's

 

[Smoking Man]

I believe all this scare tactics is centered around Doug Parker getting us to fly 90 seaters for 50 seat rates.

Keep the old PSA MEC out of office or you will be doing exactly that.

IMHO.

 

[Stuka Luva]

Keep the old PSA MEC out of office or you will be doing exactly that.

IMHO.

^ What he said ^

 

[ThrottleJockey1]

..... and as long as Mark is running the ship, he will stick his head up his rear and tell you it will be ok, when they go away. (CEL)

 

[Smoking Man]

Sorry Homie,

I watched the former MEC give the company a new contract that the group voted down (post pilot vote, then MEC Ratification). Then GIVE them J4J (without a vote by the pilot group). Then slotted bidding without a vote based on some half twisted distortion of the the truth.

If given the chance the Former MEC will fly anything for rates that would make MESA PUKE.

If you doubt me ask Mullet, Stuka, or anyone who flew the Dornier and they will tell you the truth.

IMHO.

 

[Aviation Geek]

This issue came up the last time UA/US tried to merge. Allegheny/Piedmont/PSA were to be sold to ACA as a condition of the merger.

 

[Flyin2low]

In the UAL FA's contract it states "anything" owned by UAL , UAL FA's must staff these planes. PSA and Piedmont MUST be sold for the deal to go thru.

They could merge (staple) the wholly owned pilots and flight attendants into the new company then.