Ricci/Rossi coming back to FLOPS?!

[Voice Of Reason]

Greasy Ricci has stated numerous times he would not work with a company that had a Union on the Property. (Of Course the guy is a known liar).
This guy is a first class Slim ball and just when you thought things couldnt get any worse..HOLD ON!!!

Where exactly did he say/write this, and what was the exact wording? I could easily see him saying something similar in the context of 'that's why I am paying them more than the others,' so please specify the exact wording/context/place of the conversation and if it was witnessed specifically or just urban legend.
He's no peach by a long shot, but there is no way I'd rather have MS and gang at the helm if given the choice between them and Ricci, face it. I hope that there won't be a bunch of bs floating around about either side, just for the sake of uproar, in fear of what might happen if Ricci is back in charge. I fully believe in a union contract, and would rather have one negotiated with Ricci vs the alternative...that doesn't mean that the union is going to lose its support if he comes back, so there is no reason to start up bs either or THAT will turn people off immensely.
If he is as willing to work with us for a contract as he was willing to make FLOPS guys happy at one time (premerger) in the interest of saving his "baby" (FLOPS) from going under, then bring it on.
Like I said : In writing, payable now. (Not just promises to keep us working through the Spring/Fall until they cry broke again/bad economy like we are seeing happen at the majors and their merger fibs).
And BTW, we need some options to look forward to with seniority as far as scheduling so we aren't doing 7/7 or 8/7 by force when we're all old geezers. Keep bidding it if you like, but have options for people to look forward to. 7 off totally SUCKS when you've been away for 7 or 8 days (always) and are tired and have a million things to catch up on. Not NEAR the "vacation every other week" as people would like to brag about.
Maybe once people have a bit of seniority in their equip/positions they could bid vacations and do 7/7 those months(/that quarter, whatever), but bid a better schedule (um, better than the NJA alternative) other months...you get the idea
Is that possible, or will I only be assaulted with "what have YOU done" accusations? It's a legitimate suggestion from a member in good standing, and I imagine many others of us...Since, and correct me if I am wrong, I can't recall being polled as a group to see what the majority of the group would like our reps to pursue. Maybe it's in the mail, just wondering on the scheduling issue. Anyone else wondering, or will I just be deemed a "mgt stooge" (by the few vocab impaired that love to only shout that on here ) for having the gall to ask about it?

 

[Whoosh!]

Voice I think there's a couple things you should keep in mind- he was emphatic about not having a union on the property and yes it was in the context of his view of not needing one because of how "well" he treated his pilots but that was a different time. Apparently, he isn't being brought back to lead the company so he won't have the final say in decisions made in that regard. Ricci makes his decisions based on what's best for #1 and if he's not here to take over leadership, most likely its for the cut he'll get from the sale if he can make the company *look* good- something HIG knows he's very good at. Either way you look at it, not a good sign.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

Voice I think there's a couple things you should keep in mind- he was emphatic about not having a union on the property and yes it was in the context of his view of not needing one because of how "well" he treated his pilots but that was a different time. Apparently, he isn't being brought back to lead the company so he won't have the final say in decisions made in that regard. Ricci makes his decisions based on what's best for #1 and if he's not here to take over leadership, most likely its for the cut he'll get from the sale if he can make the company *look* good- something HIG knows he's very good at. Either way you look at it, not a good sign.

Never said it was GOOD...just the lesser of two evils...

 

[ProFracPilot]

I was one who originally poo-poo'ed the idea of KR coming back to Flight Options. I was obviously wrong.

That being said, we can start the speculation on why he would want to come back. There are probably a multitude of reasons. Was he courted by H.I.G.? That is certainly a possibility. If that's the case, he'll be on property sooner than later.

Then there is Nextant Aerospace - www.nextantaerospace.com . Assuming Nextant gets their BJ re-engining program up and running they'll be looking for a (cheap) supply of BJ's to convert and sell. Hmmm...I wonder where he could find a reliable supply starting in, say, 2010?

The other thing I'm sure of is that KR has not lost is his ego. I've seen it drive several of his business decisions over the years. I'm guessing he still views Flight Options as his baby. Now that he's made this inroad, he's about one step away from the operations side of the company.

 

[shanes123]

Ricci has said it in many of his famous speeches that he has given that he will not co-exist with a union. He also was responsible for firing the fabulous 5 over there union efforts. That little move cost Rathyeon a few million. This is definatly not good..Better than Sh*tfinger? I would say its NO different..Difference between Sh*tfinger and Slimey is that Slimey greases ya up first before he bends ya over and gives it to ya good..Sh*tfinger doesnt spend money on the Lube. (we are in a recession you know) Either way youre taking it up the *ss..

 

[dime line]

Ricci has said it in many of his famous speeches that he has given that he will not co-exist with a union. He also was responsible for firing the fabulous 5 over there union efforts. That little move cost Rathyeon a few million. This is definatly not good..Better than Sh*tfinger? I would say its NO different..Difference between Sh*tfinger and Slimey is that Slimey greases ya up first before he bends ya over and gives it to ya good..Sh*tfinger doesnt spend money on the Lube. (we are in a recession you know) Either way youre taking it up the *ss..

That just about sumes it all up

 

[Voice Of Reason]

Esl

That just about sumes it all up

Well, you know what they say about what happens when you "sume"... You make an 's' out of "u' and 'me.'
Carry on...

 

[gunfyter]

Fortune Cookie says:

Return of a White Knight means a Contract could be close.

 

[cougar12]

Glass half full or half empty?

Regardless of KR's passed statements and actions, he is not stupid. He has always understood that pilots are the faces of the company the customers see regularly and are essential to a positive experience. If you combine that with the Net Jets story, maybe just maybe, his opinion of a union on the property might have changed. I am hopefully but not holding my breath.
one additional thought, I know we need a change in management and fast. Maybe we need somebody who cares if FO succeeds?

 

[Voice Of Reason]

bingo

Regardless of KR's passed statements and actions, he is not stupid. He has always understood that pilots are the faces of the company the customers see regularly and are essential to a positive experience. If you combine that with the Net Jets story, maybe just maybe, his opinion of a union on the property might have changed. I am hopefully but not holding my breath.
one additional thought, I know we need a change in management and fast. Maybe we need somebody who cares if FO succeeds?

My thoughts exactly.
In writing, effective now (or retro for that matter).
I seriously doubt Ricci has it in him to run his "baby" completely into the ground like a lot of these people who have invested nothing into it.

 

[jetwash]

I think it is a positive, (it can't get much worse)

If Ricci really wants to pull us out of this nose dive he will get this contract done in a month and send M and Baboo packing. Any delay will cost him any good will since it will show us that he going to continue the same old management style that we currently have.

The relationship has been poisoned between the pilots and management and only a contract can start the healing. I will give him a chance but I want to see changes right away.

So get her done or shut her down!

 

[dime line]

I think it is a positive, (it can't get much worse)

If Ricci really wants to pull us out of this nose dive he will get this contract done in a month and send M and Baboo packing. Any delay will cost him any good will since it will show us that he going to continue the same old management style that we currently have.

The relationship has been poisoned between the pilots and management and only a contract can start the healing. I will give him a chance but I want to see changes right away.

So get her done or shut her down!

A lot of pilots alread gave Ricci a chance, so with half of ricci's croney's stilll in high places, this place will suck the same as it did 7years ago.

 

[shanes123]

Dime Line I agree 110%..Ricci had his chance. Hes proven himself over and over to be the sleazy slime ball that he is..All the weak minded individuals that was a member of his Cult like following might think he is here to save the day. But in reality if it werent for Raytheon stepping in this place would have been Bankrupt years ago..He wasnt paying his bills and this place never made a dime in the 5-7 years he ran it or how ever long he was here..But make no mistake ol slick Ricci made plenty of money for himself when he was here..I think hes just back for a second helping. I have no Doubt that now MS days are numbered..But as far as improvement? not with this Slime ball

 

[netjetwife]

People like that are the reason for the saying... Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory. Miguel de Cervantes

The Options pilots know that the best way to be prepared is with a contract that protects their career investment and rewards their contributions. Now's the time for serious talk. If they can't even manage to work out a fair contract the FLOPS need to get the boot. NJW

 

[bchjetdrvr]

Where exactly did he say/write this, and what was the exact wording? I could easily see him saying something similar in the context of 'that's why I am paying them more than the others,' so please specify the exact wording/context/place of the conversation and if it was witnessed specifically or just urban legend.

Public Documents. Federal Lawsuit filed 9/6/2002.
On behalf of Flight Options pilots (previously RTA) wrongfully terminated in connection with their protected rights under the RLA of organizational activity. RLA 45 USC 151 & 152

Case 1: 02-cv-01768 - NAV Document 1
Filed 09/06/2002 Northern District Court of Ohio

Paragraph 25: Immediately following RTA and Flight Options' announcement of their merger, Flight Options commenced a campaign to defeat the organizing effort among the pilots of RTA. As a part of this campaign Flight Options CEO Ken Ricci began to communicate directly with RTA pilots in order to discourage their participation in the RTA organizing effort. Ricci acted as chief spokesman for on behalf of RTA and Flight Options against the pilots organizing efforts.

Paragraph 26: Ricci made numerous anti union statements to the RTA pilots in December 2001 and January 2002. Ricci conducted phone telephone conferences with RTA pilots, engaged in ono-on-one telephone calls with RTA pilots, including certain of the plaintiffs, and sent emails to RTA pilots all for the purpose of opposing the pilots organizing campaign. Ricci expressed his opposition to the organizing efforts in these communications and urged the RTA pilots to vote against union representation.

-----
AIN
Flight Options Founder Ricci Returns to Company
Two new investors have invested in HIG Transport Holdings, the holding company that owns Cleveland-based fractional-share provider Flight Options. Resilience Capital Partners, based in Cleveland, and Directional Aviation Capital of nearby Richmond Heights now own a minority stake in HIG Transport Holdings. Both Kenn Ricci, principal for Directional Aviation, and Steve Rosen, cofounder of Resilience Capital Partners, will join the HIG Transport Holdings board of directors. Ricci was one of the founders of Flight Options in 1998. He left the company in February 2003 as Flight Options was in the process of being taken over by Raytheon, which had earlier sold the Raytheon Travel Air fractional company to Flight Options. Raytheon sold Flight Options to HIG Capital this past November. Directional Aviation projects include aircraft modification firm Nextant Aerospace, Corporate Wings and Air Services. Resilience Capital Partners’ “investment philosophy is focused on principal investing in lower middle market underperforming and turnaround situations.” A fractional industry insider recently told AIN that Flight Options has not sold any shares so far this year, but a Flight Options spokeswoman denied this claim

----
Sad...just freakin sad. This is letting the Fox back into the hen house. "Snake oil salesman" is so lacking.