Thanks SkyW

[Mentor]

Just to all that are interested please plan to be sick on the 31st of May through the 2nd of June.

Thanks,

Management

 

[Future Furlough]

The Brown and Nutty Sandwich you're being asked to sample is a result of the Economy, specifically oil prices and nothing else. There’s nothing greedy or underhanded in it. JA sees opportunity for you guys and his shareholders, so he's pursuing it.

I have several good friends over at XJT; they think the deal isn't the best, but not as bad as the alternative. I hope you all do what is best for both your wallets and conscience.

Either way, I'm having a beer. You're welcome to one yourself if you like.

It has nothing to do with the price of oil and everything to do with control of 274 aircraft. I don't believe for one second XJT lasts 4 years if Skywest has their way. I'd rather take my chances and remain independent.

And now, I'll have that beer.:beer:

 

[ArcticFlier]

Well well well. But it does matter remember? What about the Mesa pilots? They had nothing to do with anything but they continue to receive bashing. I think SkyWest is a even bigger floaty in the POS pool. Ask the pilot group from expressjet how they feel about them............

At the end of the day, what can a SKYW pilot do about this........zero. So, more to the point, ask me whether I care how the XJET guys feel about the SKYW pilots. Can't do anything about that either.

And some of you wonder why I haven't been on this site in six months.

 

[ArcticFlier]

Just to all that are interested please plan to be sick on the 31st of May through the 2nd of June.

Thanks,

Management

I'm off those days. Should I call in sick anyway?

 

[sweptback]

Before you flame away the deal is for 205 aircraft for CoEx flying, contract to be evaluated in 1 year. If we (Xjet) are still to expensive Skywest can transfer 5 aircraft/month to one of their affiliates. Also, they will keep 29 of the 69 aircraft and, staff them with Skywest pilots.

Keep in mind any aircraft (over 4 in a year) transferred to ASA will include pilots. These pilots will be fairly integrated into our list per our CBA. If ASA "benefits" from moving aircraft from ExpressJet it will not be at the pilots' expense.

However, given that Jerry can move aircraft from ExpressJet to SkyWest airlines with no restrictions, you can expect SkyWest to get any and all transferred aircraft and the ExpressJet pilots given nothing more than preferential hiring.

 

[Nevets]

Keep in mind any aircraft (over 4 in a year) transferred to ASA will include pilots. These pilots will be fairly integrated into our list per our CBA. If ASA "benefits" from moving aircraft from ExpressJet it will not be at the pilots' expense.

However, given that Jerry can move aircraft from ExpressJet to SkyWest airlines with no restrictions, you can expect SkyWest to get any and all transferred aircraft and the ExpressJet pilots given nothing more than preferential hiring.

That's exactly the deal SKW presented. I probably wouldn't call it greedy or underhanded but JA does see an opportunity to whipsaw Skywest airlines against XJT to force XJT to be "cost competitive." Unfortunately, there is nothing Skywest pilots can do about mitigating the whipsaw since they are non union.

 

[joe_pilot]

It has nothing to do with the price of oil and everything to do with control of 274 aircraft. I don't believe for one second XJT lasts 4 years if Skywest has their way. I'd rather take my chances and remain independent.

But the issue of control IS about oil prices. High oil means tough times and thin margins for those who have to buy the Jet-A. That means mainline (all of them) and you guys (for branded). The market reacts by de-valuing stock prices, creating opportunity for those with the cash.

To be honest, I would love to see you guys say no and still make it. I'm just afraid that if you say no, you won't make it. I had friends at ACA.

I want what is best for you guys and only you can decide that.

And now, I'll have that beer.:beer:

I'm good on my word, when's your next overnight in ATL?

 

[joe_pilot]

That's exactly the deal SKW presented. I probably wouldn't call it greedy or underhanded but JA does see an opportunity to whipsaw Skywest airlines against XJT to force XJT to be "cost competitive." Unfortunately, there is nothing Skywest pilots can do about mitigating the whipsaw since they are non union.

Sure, the opportunity is there, but it probably won't happen. Ask the ASA guys, don't take my word for it. You will probably be asked to be a bit leaner, like losing your awesome vacation rules and using PBS. That's my guess.

Say no if you don't like it. Again, I'm having a beer.

 

[sweptback]

Sure, the opportunity is there, but it probably won't happen. Ask the ASA guys, don't take my word for it. You will probably be asked to be a bit leaner, like losing your awesome vacation rules and using PBS. That's my guess.

Are you kidding me? After SkyWest bought ASA it was whipsaw central. How many former ASA airplanes is SkyWest flying now? Where did the 900s go? I recall a series of letters, first saying they were coming to ASA, then another saying because we didn't settle the contract they're going to SkyWest.

There may not be a whipsaw anymore, but that's just because there hasn't been any growth. Also, ASA's scope is just strong enough to protect our interests. While I don't think that SkyWest bought ASA with the intent of shutting us down, to say there has been no whipsaw is a blatant lie.

 

[Nevets]

Sure, the opportunity is there, but it probably won't happen. Ask the ASA guys, don't take my word for it. You will probably be asked to be a bit leaner, like losing your awesome vacation rules and using PBS. That's my guess.

Say no if you don't like it. Again, I'm having a beer.

If they aren't intending got whipsaw then they should at least allow XJT pilots bid for the aircraft they are planning on transferring over to Skywest Airlines. They could still whipsaw but at least they wont be able to furlough one pilot group and hire new ones at the other one when the transfer is complete.

The fact is that whipsaw is the main reason why they don't want our contract as is. And by definition, asking to be a bit leaner like losing awesome vacation rules and using PBS is whipsaw. That's not a guess.

No pilot should like it when one pilot group is going to get whipsawed against another.

The whole deal is just not right to do to your future employees.

 

[Caflying]

So in other words...NOTHING. To the XJ guys complaining about losing their LAX base, I feel your pain. I remember the way it felt when I had to move out of there because we lost our base when YOU took it from us.

Big difference here to what your situation was. Your company lost a contract to another company (ASA to XJT).
Here the buying company (SKYW) would remove AC and furlough 700 pilots from the current company (XJT), and give the flying to the SKYW pilots. I call that stealing. your case simple $hit business, Chautauqua did that to us.

 

[Future Furlough]

But the issue of control IS about oil prices. High oil means tough times and thin margins for those who have to buy the Jet-A. That means mainline (all of them) and you guys (for branded). The market reacts by de-valuing stock prices, creating opportunity for those with the cash.


I'm good on my word, when's your next overnight in ATL?

Here's how I see it (the following is strictly conjecture and full of personal opinion). CAL pulled 69 planes from the CPA to diversify their feed (makes sense). CAL was surprised that we kept the 69 instead of giving them back. CAL now feels like they subsidize the branded operation (purely conjecture on my part) and wants to kill branded and get the planes back. Their gambit? Say they will pull 51 more planes in 2009 and let the CPA expire in 2012 and hope we go bankrupt before 2012. A surer bet for them is force us to accept the Skywest offer. That gets 69 planes off our books immediately, and the next 205 go to Skywest at the rate of 60 a year. This is why few XJT pilots see Skywest as being a savior. And gee, was it 5 short years ago that we were spun off from CAL?

Note, that CAL is not talking about taking the planes out of service. They are only trying to take them from us. Oil has very little to do with this scenario.

I live 1.5 hours down the street from ATL. I'm home 3 nights a week.
Time for another beer:beer:

 

[vtech]

It would seem perhaps that if a deal isn't done soon that on June 30 CAL pulls 51 ERJ's from XJet which Skywest may already have a CPA in place for. 51 ERJ's to Skywest and the negotiations continue.
Sign off on the deal now and keep the planes or lose them and keep negotiating. Now that's hardball.

BINGO! WE HAVE A WINNER!

 

[Superpilot92]

It would seem perhaps that if a deal isn't done soon that on June 30 CAL pulls 51 ERJ's from XJet which Skywest may already have a CPA in place for. 51 ERJ's to Skywest and the negotiations continue.
Sign off on the deal now and keep the planes or lose them and keep negotiating. Now that's hardball.

All except that those planes dont get removed immediately and XJT doesnt have to immediately tell CAL if they are going to keep them or not. Also if CAL puls 51 more than that would Allow XJT the freedom it needs to secure other deals with other carriers. Right now the clause in the XJT CPA with CAL, XJT has to give CAL the same deal it gives any other carrier under a CPA agreement for anything over 10 airframes. That has kept XJT from securing other deals but if CAL pulls 51 planes XJT can then do what ever it wants. With the shifting of regional flying thats about to happen and with Mesa about to go TU there is a good chance XJT can secure another deal before the planes are supposed to come out of the CAL system thus leaving CAL in a bad position just like the first time. Lots of things can happen before the end of 2009 gets here and those planes would have to be pulled. Good luck XJT guys NEVER give up your SCOPE its there for a reason and was put there for a reason.

One more thing CAL cannot afford for XJT to go into bankruptcy right now or go out of business. It would cripple CALs domestic feed thus crippling CAL in these tough times. So for those that say XJT will go TU then, CAL cant let them. They would buy XJT before they let them fold. No company out there now can replace 205 50 seat aircraft that fast.

 

[Caflying]

All except that those planes dont get removed immediately and XJT doesnt have to immediately tell CAL if they are going to keep them or not. Also if CAL puls 51 more than that would Allow XJT the freedom it needs to secure other deals with other carriers. Right now the clause in the XJT CPA with CAL, XJT has to give CAL the same deal it gives any other carrier under a CPA agreement for anything over 10 airframes. That has kept XJT from securing other deals but if CAL pulls 51 planes XJT can then do what ever it wants. With the shifting of regional flying thats about to happen and with Mesa about to go TU there is a good chance XJT can secure another deal before the planes are supposed to come out of the CAL system thus leaving CAL in a bad position just like the first time. Lots of things can happen before the end of 2009 gets here and those planes would have to be pulled. Good luck XJT guys NEVER give up your SCOPE its there for a reason and was put there for a reason.

We pull one on CAL before, I can see our company doing that again, but this time waiting to the last second to respond...I would not be surprised if our CEO is not hoping for that, I can see how branded will become a small operation in the west coast, with a codeshare with ??? and more airplanes to may be DAL or somebody else, who knows!

 

[Nevets]

BINGO! WE HAVE A WINNER!

The first of the 51 couldn't leave COEX until Dec 28, 2009 at the earliest. XJT doesn't have to give notice to CAL whether they are keeping them or not until six months after CAL gives notice. CAL has to give at least 12 months notice.

 

[GearBayOverheat]

I'm all for a merger... STAPLE xjet... Skywest pilots win no matter what!!!

 

[XPOO]

So, let me see if I understand this situation correctly. The ExpressJet pilots work for an airline that is bleeding cash with an extremely bleak future ahead of them. A company with loads of cash and bright future would like to buy their company and share that future with them. But the ExpressJet pilots want their cash-bledding operation and work rules to continue on no matter what outcome, the sale to another company or ExpressJet folding like a bad poker hand.

I'm adding 1 and 1, but somehow, this doesn't add up to 2.

 

[flynd94]

So, let me see if I understand this situation correctly. The ExpressJet pilots work for an airline that is bleeding cash with an extremely bleak future ahead of them. A company with loads of cash and bright future would like to buy their company and share that future with them. But the ExpressJet pilots want their cash-bledding operation and work rules to continue on no matter what outcome, the sale to another company or ExpressJet folding like a bad poker hand.

I'm adding 1 and 1, but somehow, this doesn't add up to 2.

That's if you call putting 700 pilots on the street on day one, then the possibility of 500/yr pilots after the first year (if CAL says we are still to expensive) of the contract is up. Also, 29 airframes would go to SkyWest immediately, without the Xjet pilots.

We don't call that a great deal or job security.

 

[Smiliner]

I'm all for a merger... STAPLE xjet... Skywest pilots win no matter what!!!

From one SkyWest pilot to who I am assuming is another SkyWest pilot, SHUT THE FV<K UP!!!

 

[flynd94]

From one SkyWest pilot to who I am assuming is another SkyWest pilot, SHUT THE FV<K UP!!!

Smiliner, thanks man. We all have tools at are respected airlines. Don't you wish we could kill them all

 

[Flyerdan]

That's if you call putting 700 pilots on the street on day one, then the possibility of 500/yr pilots after the first year (if CAL says we are still to expensive) of the contract is up. Also, 29 airframes would go to SkyWest immediately, without the Xjet pilots.

We don't call that a great deal or job security.

I've seen this statement about the CAL contract being reevaluated after a year quite a bit. I don't see how that scenerio would really be in SkyWest Inc's financial interest. Why would they pay for a company just to dismantle it when it looks like it will probably fail within a year anyway? It seems more likely that the reevaluation period has more to do with the price of oil than anything else. I suspect that SkyWest Inc would negotiate just as hard in a year for XJT as it would for ASA or SKW.

 

[SkyNation]

I think you guys should vote NO.

when is the vote?

 

[Future Furlough]

I think you guys should vote NO.

when is the vote?

ROTFLMAO

What vote?

 

[Flyerdan]

ROTFLMAO

What vote?

Good point! I seriously doubt that ALPA could get the XJT pilots all the information they need, debate the pros & cons, and organize a vote before XJT ends up in bankrupcy making it a mute point anyway.

So how is this really going to sort itself out?

 

[XPOO]

Without meaning to sound like a bigot, this seems to be one huge Mexican Stand-Off.

 

[Morning Wood]

I hate to burst your bubble, but you do know we operated thousands of flights for many years without a single dispatcher on the property?...

Yeah, but come on. Did you really need a dispatcher to fly from PSP to BXS?

 

[JoeMerchant]

At the end of the day, what can a SKYW pilot do about this........zero. So, more to the point, ask me whether I care how the XJET guys feel about the SKYW pilots. Can't do anything about that either.

And some of you wonder why I haven't been on this site in six months.

Welcome back....We need more people with critical thinking ability.....:beer:


This place is like a SC city council meeting....

 

[Whydoitry]

Good point! I seriously doubt that ALPA could get the XJT pilots all the information they need, debate the pros & cons, and organize a vote before XJT ends up in bankrupcy making it a mute point anyway.

So how is this really going to sort itself out?

So why do you guys seem to think that XJT will be in bankruptcy so quickly?

We can essentially cut branded and become instantly profitable with a positive cash flow. Bankruptcy is not inevitable nor would management desire it. While furloughs may very well be on the horizon, the time frame for liquidation is no where in sight.

And the point would be moot not mute.

 

[unreal]

So, let me see if I understand this situation correctly. The ExpressJet pilots work for an airline that is bleeding cash with an extremely bleak future ahead of them. A company with loads of cash and bright future would like to buy their company and share that future with them. But the ExpressJet pilots want their cash-bledding operation and work rules to continue on no matter what outcome, the sale to another company or ExpressJet folding like a bad poker hand.

I'm adding 1 and 1, but somehow, this doesn't add up to 2.

Yeesh. Do they pass out the kool-aid before or after you sacrifice the virgin to the volcano?

SKW isn't nearly the "knight in shining armor" they'd like to think they are to XJT pilots. Under SKW's proposal 700 XJT pilots would see the street, all while watching SKW pilots sit in our former cockpits. I personally don't see that as a good thing. Would you if you were put in the same situation?

Not to mention the fact that us giving up our scope is bad for everyone. It'll further the whipsaw between regional carriers, to which a combined SKW/XJT/ASA would see no end. JA obviously thinks we're a bunch of spineless doormats who are easily intimidated into giving up one of the things that makes our contract what it is. Just like all of us are standing behind PNCL ALPA with their contract struggles, all pilots who care about the betterment of the industry should stand behind the XJT pilot group in support of a NO vote to any scope change. Period.

One more thing: SKW pilots licking their lips over the idea of a quick upgrade on former XJT frames: anyone who knowingly flies XJT aircraft with XJT pilots on the street is nothing better than a scab.