Pinnacle mgmt. bashes Mesaba

[Towelie]

Pinnacle mgmt. letter about Mesaba

This is not to start a pilot flame war (not that it will matter anyway).

I know a Pinnacle pilot who told me that Pinnacle management announced the Mesaba deal to their employees last night. They also went on to bash Mesaba and say we had undercut the industry and that Pinnacle won't stoop to that level.

WTF?

I know this is your management talking and not the pilots. Would someone please post the full text of this if you have it?

Thanks. And thanks to all the 9E pilots who have wished us congrats. We appreciate it. We in turn wish you good luck on what looks to be an ugly contract battle. Give 'em hell, boys.

 

[dondk]

I don't know of bashing.. but nothing would suprise me...

I know that our (9E) management would be concerned, for years the 9E pilot's have been stating for us to be equal to XJ. For years 9E's mgmt has told us XJ is like apples to oranges (no common aircraft). That changes everything with 35 jets on XJ's property.

Personally.. let the games begin.. XJ.. all I ask is that you run the CRJ fleet better than us, we are going to need all the help we can get in contract talks..

From a Pinnacle pilot to XJ pilot's..

It is about time, good luck on your new aircraft...

 

[NDPILOT]

I haden't heard anything about our mgmt bashing mesaba....phil will probably find a way to blame our pilot group for XJ's good fortune.

It's nice to see some good news at Mesaba.

CONGRATS and have fun with the new aircraft.

 

[IFlyLow]

This is not to start a pilot flame war (not that it will matter anyway).

I know a Pinnacle pilot who told me that Pinnacle management announced the Mesaba deal to their employees last night. They also went on to bash Mesaba and say we had undercut the industry and that Pinnacle won't stoop to that level.

WTF?

I know this is your management talking and not the pilots. Would someone please post the full text of this if you have it?

Thanks. And thanks to all the 9E pilots who have wished us congrats. We appreciate it. We in turn wish you good luck on what looks to be an ugly contract battle. Give 'em hell, boys.

Trying not to start a flame war? Come on...


I don't fly for either XJ or 9E by the way.

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/050422/085215.html

Press ReleaseSource: Pinnacle Airlines Pinnacle Airlines Congratulates Mesaba Airlines on CRJ Award
Friday April 22, 9:44 am ET

MEMPHIS, TN--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 22, 2005 -- Pinnacle Airlines (NasdaqNM:PNCL - News) congratulates Mesaba Airlines as the recipient of 15 Canadair Regional Jets from Northwest Airlines. Pinnacle has long anticipated the diversification of CRJ operations, which is a common trend among nearly all major carriers. Pinnacle Airlines and Mesaba have a long-standing relationship and share the common goal of providing excellent service as Northwest Airlink.

 

[SPIM]

This makes sense since Northwest wants to have the two airlink partners kept on equal playing fields

 

[Sun Devil 2000]

IFLYLOW beat me to it. I dont think that this official statement in any way bashes Mesaba. Its anything but bashing. I cant say im supprised with the announcement. Why would NWA give more jets to a carrier thats about to negotiate a new contract?

As for Towelie - your just looking to start something aren't you? Y'all got the jets but thats not enough. You gotta make life beteween the pilot groups uncivil! Thats just not cool.

You know when y'all almost went on strike our guys were there to back you up. I was in training as a newhire at the time or I would have been there myself. If and when that time comes for us at 9E to make a stand I know where your gonna be.. at home just waiting for the other CRJs to come your way!

Your a class act man.

 

[Mesabi Miner]

"It is important to note that Mesaba offered significant incentives to NWA to operate these aircraft. In fact, these incentives greatly exceeded what we considered to be fiducially responsible for Pinnacle. One of our guiding principals requires that we be financially responsible. Pinnacle will not risk out current operation and the livelihood of our People for a relatively minor gain."

Maybe not a bash, but certainly mal-intentioned. Sounds like Pinnacle management is crying in their beer.

MM

 

[Sun Devil 2000]

"It is important to note that Mesaba offered significant incentives to NWA to operate these aircraft. In fact, these incentives greatly exceeded what we considered to be fiducially responsible for Pinnacle. One of our guiding principals requires that we be financially responsible. Pinnacle will not risk out current operation and the livelihood of our People for a relatively minor gain."

Where did you get this from?

 

[Mesabi Miner]

From a piece of paper with "Pinnacle Airlines, Inc." on top of it. "Internal Release" it says on the top. I had it in my hands by 7:30am this morning. The email at the bottom begins with "preed@". And there's a phone number to call for more info. Rumor says this info was published too early.


MM

 

[Sun Devil 2000]

Guess thats another internal release because the only one ive seen so far was posted above by IFLYLOW. That was the "official" one.

 

[PCL_128]

Pinnacle will not risk out current operation and the livelihood of our People for a relatively minor gain."

Ahhh, look at that my fellow pinch-nickle "People." Uncle Phil really cares about us. He doesn't want to risk our livelihood. [/sarcasm]

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

IFLYLOW beat me to it. I dont think that this official statement in any way bashes Mesaba. Its anything but bashing. I cant say im supprised with the announcement. Why would NWA give more jets to a carrier thats about to negotiate a new contract?

As for Towelie - your just looking to start something aren't you? Y'all got the jets but thats not enough. You gotta make life beteween the pilot groups uncivil! Thats just not cool.

You know when y'all almost went on strike our guys were there to back you up. I was in training as a newhire at the time or I would have been there myself. If and when that time comes for us at 9E to make a stand I know where your gonna be.. at home just waiting for the other CRJs to come your way!

Your a class act man.

Oh stewardess, I speak jive.


FDXFO2007,

He said it wasn't the pilots who made any negative remarks, and he thanked you for your support, as do I. I don't support everything my company mgmt says or does, and I suspect you don't either.

If 9E mgmt is ripping on XJ's pilot group, I'm sure we all realize that it's whipsaw politics, written in advance, by some mean people in a dark and smoky room in MSP.

Thanks to everyone for the previous and continued support. Good luck to 9E in their contract negotiations.

 

[DoinTime]

"It is important to note that Mesaba offered significant incentives to NWA to operate these aircraft. In fact, these incentives greatly exceeded what we considered to be fiducially responsible for Pinnacle. One of our guiding principals requires that we be financially responsible. Pinnacle will not risk out current operation and the livelihood of our People for a relatively minor gain."

Maybe not a bash, but certainly mal-intentioned. Sounds like Pinnacle management is crying in their beer.

MM

If its true how can it possibly be considered mal-intentioned? XJ management may very well have dropped their pants to get this contract. We will all know when the terms of your new ASA comes out.

PNCL management has more criticle things to worry about right now, like keeping the FAA from shutting the doors on us.

 

[Sun Devil 2000]

ImbracableCrunk: Sorry if I got a bit defensive. It just seems recently that XJ pilots have beer really critical and negative towards their 9E counterparts. I just hope that most of your fellow pilots feel the same way you do. It just doesn't seem that way right now.

 

[dondk]

official post

This evening, Northwest Airlines informed us that it has awarded Mesaba with 15 CRJs. These aircraft are new deliveries, and the time frame for operation is not publicly available at this time.
The diversification of CRJ operations by Northwest has been anticipated over the past few years. All major airlines, with the exception of Continental Airlines, have integrated a number of regional carriers into their operation. This is a pragmatic move, taken in order to limit the mainline’s exposure in the event of a work stoppage, and to instill competition among their regional providers.

As an example, those of you who have been in the airline industry for a few years may recall that Comair, who operates exclusively as a Delta Connection, suffered a strike by its pilots a few years back. Comair was Delta’s largest regional affiliate, and fully operated a number of markets. When the strike came, Comair was forced to close these markets entirely, deriving Delta of the revenue and forcing them to refund or re-route thousands of customers for about three weeks. Since that time, mainline carriers have elected to not just diversify operators, but it is common to have multiple operators into every market.

It is important to note that Mesaba offered significant incentives to Northwest to operate these aircraft. In fact, these incentives greatly exceeded what we considered to be fiducially responsible for Pinnacle. One of our Guiding Principles requires that we are financially responsible. Pinnacle will not risk our current operations and the livelihood of our People for a relatively minor gain. Rather, we continue our efforts as laid out in Flight Plan 2005 – launching a second line of business, and developing an operation that will allow us to operate 70- and 90-seat aircraft among others.

We congratulate Mesaba on the award and wish them the best of luck. We have a long-standing history of working jointly with Mesaba, primarily in ground handling and customer handling. Given the relative number of aircraft awarded, and the time frame required to add these to their certificate, replacement of any flying will be minimal and no disruption to our hub operations, Maintenance & Repair Operations (MROs) or domiciles is expected.

Over the past several years, the People of Pinnacle have undertaken a remarkable effort on behalf of Northwest Airlines. We have expanded Available Seat Miles over 700% in the past four years, having integrated 123 CRJs into our system. Our contribution to the Northwest network has been historic and monumental, as we have developed new routes, supplemented existing routes or replaced NWA service into routes that were not commercially successful. We are a vital part of the Northwest business model. We are proud to be a part of Northwest Airlines.


Yep it is offical, its on our website and I think it was posted last night (a bit ahead of schedule)..

My translation for what it is worth.. PNCL management would have had to take lower bonuses. After the multiple winter meltsdowns, they can't afford to take any more financial hit's.

Best of luck to XJ and don't read too much into the comments from the kool aid crowd in Memphis...

 

[DoinTime]

Yep it is offical, its on our website and I think it was posted last night (a bit ahead of schedule)..

I wish I would have seen that last night. MAIR stock was up 15% at one point today. I could have put in 50g's in at the open and made out with $7500 in just a few hours.

 

[Monster Buck]

You know when y'all almost went on strike our guys were there to back you up. I was in training as a newhire at the time or I would have been there myself. If and when that time comes for us at 9E to make a stand I know where your gonna be.. at home just waiting for the other CRJs to come your way!

Your a class act man.[/QUOTE]

Wrong. I can see your new so this is just info. Mesaba has about 900 pilots, about 20-30 post here. Most play nice but some don't. WE WILL HAVE YOUR BACK DURING NEGOTIATIONS. Don't let anyone who posts here draft your opinions about all of their pilots. WE will help any way we can.

While I am at it, to all Mesaba, NWA and Pinnacle pilots, please give a head nod or a what's up to each other as we pass. Not doing so is very weak and says more about you than you relize. I refuse to let management and their tactics change my manners.

 

[flyinglow]

All major airlines, with the exception of Continental Airlines, have integrated a number of regional carriers into their operation. This is a pragmatic move, taken in order to limit the mainline’s exposure in the event of a work stoppage, and to instill competition among their regional providers.

As an example, those of you who have been in the airline industry for a few years may recall that Comair, who operates exclusively as a Delta Connection, suffered a strike by its pilots a few years back. Comair was Delta’s largest regional affiliate, and fully operated a number of markets. When the strike came, Comair was forced to close these markets entirely, deriving Delta of the revenue and forcing them to refund or re-route thousands of customers for about three weeks. Since that time, mainline carriers have elected to not just diversify operators, but it is common to have multiple operators into every market.

We know its true but what a crock, call a spade a spade. Northwest needs to be able to "Whipsaw", I believe that is the word he was looking for. You definitely need to protect mainlines exposure from the regional, because there is no protection from mainline work stoppages. They can't whipsaw them. ALPO s&cks, they need to do something about this. This industry S$cks. RANT OVER.

 

[Towelie]

IFLYLOW beat me to it. I dont think that this official statement in any way bashes Mesaba. Its anything but bashing. I cant say im supprised with the announcement. Why would NWA give more jets to a carrier thats about to negotiate a new contract?

As for Towelie - your just looking to start something aren't you? Y'all got the jets but thats not enough. You gotta make life beteween the pilot groups uncivil! Thats just not cool.

You know when y'all almost went on strike our guys were there to back you up. I was in training as a newhire at the time or I would have been there myself. If and when that time comes for us at 9E to make a stand I know where your gonna be.. at home just waiting for the other CRJs to come your way!

Your a class act man.

First off, let me apologize because when I was told about this from my buddy at Pinnacle, it sounded worse that it was. That is why I asked for someone to post the entire thing. So I do apologize for using the word "bash." A jump to conclusion on my part.

But it bugs me that you jumped me when in my first post I clearly said it was not about Pinnacle pilots, but Pinnacle management. I find it ironic that the company that is the definition of cheap says we undercut them. That is fresh.

Make no mistake, however. I don't blame 9E pilots and AS I SAID BEFORE, I wish you all the best of luck. This is good for XJ but just another whipsaw example by NWA and all management.

Peace. . .

 

[Towelie]

This is to dondk, PCL_128, and the other 9E drivers who have taken the high road:

Thanks for your support. You guys have been classy to us in good times and bad. I truly hope we can be of help to you with your negotiations. You had our back and we will have yours.

Regards,

Towelie

 

[Skaz]

what will this mean for pcl and its pilots? how goes the negotiations?

 

[PCL_128]

what will this mean for pcl and its pilots? how goes the negotiations?

Negotiations are ongoing, but it will take quite some time. XJ was in negotiations for several years and I don't see it being any different here. We just entered Section 6 negotiations in December, so I would expect at least another 2 years until we have a completed contract.

 

[redflyer65]

Let me bottom line this topic for everyone, and get it out in the open.

Northwest whipsawed both 9E and Mesaba management! Not just the pilot group.

NWA is truely the puppet masters. Good luck XJ, you deserve the growth.

 

[kmox29]

Hey 9E pilots,

I've seen the "Flight Plan for the Future" DVD and read the recent memo from your management. I hate your CEO as much as I hate mine. They are both tools of NWA. Make sure you let us XJ guys know when you need people to picket. I can't wait to get out there and support you guys in your negotiations. Good luck to you, XJ's got your back.

 

[FN FAL]

XJ got CRJ's? Awesome...good luck with the new fleet.

 

[ILSJUNKIE]

what will this mean for pcl and its pilots? how goes the negotiations?

It means that Pinnacle is once again being whipsawed by NWA and a Mesaba pilot group that sold their brothers out for a few new RJ's

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Deleted

 

[ILSJUNKIE]

Please enlighten us as to how the Mesaba pilot group sold out their brethren.

They took thier current contract.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

They took thier current contract.

Deleted...

 

[Towelie]

Guys, before this blows up:

ILSJUNKIE = TROLL

ILSJUNKIE = TRAINING = 8HRRULE

He is a phoney purposely trying to fan the flames. Just ignore him and his posts.

DON'T FALL FOR IT!