Republic to Fly for Midwest

[Propsync]

Thanks for the contract CL. Looks like Midwest is in the clear. They put Connect on the side, it's not outsourcing. If it is, then Skyway was outsourced to do ATW, MSN, BDL, and RDU back in the day, the union didn't do anything then.

I still don't understand all the hostility to RAH. Without that money, Midwest would have shut down and RAH would have furloughed. This is actually the better of two situations. I don't care what anyone thinks of Midwest or RAH, this is business.

 

[ultrarunner]

I heard Jay Schendorf went home on a Section-8. When did this save a furlough for someone?

 

[trainer8]

reminder....don't forget the hat!!!! Going to take alot more than some rally's to get things changed there. Time for the Republic side to stand up and say no. Too bad for Midwest that won't happen.

Robert,

How do you think the RAH pilots should do this?

T8

 

[hockeypilot44]

Robert,

How do you think the RAH pilots should do this?

T8

For starters, have no pilots bid the MKE or MCI base when they open. Force the company to voluntarily displace pilots there. This will not work though because there is always some first officer that will put in a captain bid at those bases to get his precious upgrade. We are our own worst enemies. The company will fill the first officer positions with pilots on furlough.

 

[trainer8]

For starters, have no pilots bid the MKE or MCI base when they open. Force the company to voluntarily displace pilots there. This will not work though because there is always some first officer that will put in a captain bid at those bases to get his precious upgrade. We are our own worst enemies. The company will fill the first officer positions with pilots on furlough.

There is no MKE base, only MCI for Republic.

RPA management displaced 8 Captains from PHL to MCI. Involuntary. The rest of the flying is coming from reserve flying and assigned trips to crews in other bases. All according to the CBA.

So, again, even if they violate the CBA, how do we do this without causing an illegal self-help situation?

T8

 

[deadstick]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800528
Midwest Connect’s new jets come with needed cash

By TOM DAYKIN
[email protected]

Posted: Sept. 29, 2008

Starting Wednesday, Midwest Connect customers will be flying on new aircraft that come with badly needed cash for the airline’s corporate parent

The first group of a dozen Embraer 170 jets, leased from Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings, will begin flying Midwest Connect routes. The airline on Monday provided a sneak preview of the new aircraft, which will be phased into the flight schedule through Nov. 15.


Republic, to secure the 10-year lease, is providing a one-year, $15 million loan to cash-strapped Midwest Airlines Inc., which also operates Midwest Connect. Republic has a separate loan commitment of another $10 million for Midwest if the company achieves certain financial goals.


Republic’s $25 million in financing is part of up to $60 million in new cash for Midwest. The airline said the new cash, including commitments from majority owner TPG Capital, could help the company avoid a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.


But the Embraer 170s are replacing some Boeing 717 jets that Midwest Airlines uses, which is leading to layoffs of 270 Midwest employees. The Midwest pilots union has filed a grievance, claiming the company’s hiring of Republic to operate the jets violates their labor contract.


Company executives say they believe the out-sourcing doesn’t violate the contract. The company’s plan is to rehire the furloughed flight crews and maintenance workers after they’re trained on the new jets. That process will likely take eight months to a year.


The Embraer 170s are smaller and do not offer the signature wide seats the Boeing 717 jets have. But the Embraer 170s don’t have the cramped interior of many regional jets. The ceiling height is 6 feet 7 inches in those jets, compared with 6 feet 1 inch in the Bombardier CRJ200s, the other regional jets used by Midwest Connect.