I won't speak on the reciprocation of the LOA during BK. But I know for a fact in 2002 during the contract negotiations we tried to get the LOA reciprocated. I was downgrading at the time with about 3 1/2 years of seniority. Simon was too, he was in my class. Mesaba was the ONLY regional shrinking at the time, and 9E was exploding. Prior to 2001 (at least since 1997), 9E had NO flying out of MSP or DTW, and were operating NO northern outstations. By my downgrade in fall of 2002, 9E had opened hubs in MSP and DTW and several northern outstations. All of the 9E flying gained was at XJs loss.
This situation was EXACTLY how the LOA was enacted. And at the time, I would have been happy with a 2-1 seniority to transition to 9E. Essentially, I would have been a street CA on your Saabs with a translated 2000/2001ish seniority date, and would soon be a 200 CA as the Saabs left. TW asked for the LOA reciprocation, and the response from 9E (whether it was WG or the MEC) was NO. TW told me personally, and on numerous occasions that we were trying to get it enacted, but that they were being told that 9e wasn't taking XJ flying, but Northwests.
Please state why it wasn't reciprocated then? By the time BK came around 4 years later, it was a dead issue in my mind. 9E had already screwed the intent of the LOA, and I personally had to feel the burden. I barely survived downgrading again during the BK (now with 7 years XJ seniority), but I NEVER expected the LOA to be reciprocated then, even if it was discussed.
There is soo much of this talk by people that have no idea how it was created, which was a total gift of seniority at some of XJ pilots expense, that was not required. We recognized we were taking your flying, and offered a way to keep some seniority instead of furlough. We did not take any of your aircraft (at that time), and there was no purchase of certificate or contractual reason to offer it. It was a nice thing, and a moral thing to do.
There were 2 times that it could have been reciprocated, but the 9E MEC or WG as it maybe, did not even entertain the offer. To throw the LOA up in SLI negotiations, is nothing more than a 3rd slap in the face of the XJ pilots. Especially considering there are only about 40 people or so on each list (maybe 100ish total) that were even around when it happened. Im pretty sure you were not at 9E when it was enacted, I was not at XJ. So you did not personally see if it was good or not, nor has it ever affected you. I have had 2 times that it could have helped stagnation in my career and avoided a lot of money lost, but was not allowed to utilize it by your pilots, MEC, or WG (whoever said No). Just the idea that it was brought up in SLI as a negative thing, is an embarrassment on your group. And a very transparent attempt at a seniority grab.
Last edited:
