The future of Comair? Shut down???

[BigMotorToter]

I just heard that the CVG Chief Pilot S.B. just told a recurrent class that if the Delta/Northwest merger goes through, then Comair will be shut down. Any verification of this. Also heard that hiring has stopped and attrition will, at least for the short term, prevent furloughes, even in light of the 14 50 seaters being parked.

I used to work there, and still know of a few old friends I think are still there. Just wondering if what I heard is true.

 

[wrigley23]

I just heard that the CVG Chief Pilot S.B. just told a recurrent class that if the Delta/Northwest merger goes through, then Comair will be shut down. Any verification of this. Also heard that hiring has stopped and attrition will, at least for the short term, prevent furloughes, even in light of the 14 50 seaters being parked. I used to work there, and still know of a few old friends I think are still there. Just wondering if what I heard is true.

Obviously Comair would not immediately shut down with a merger, but unless some miracle plan evolved like escaping Delta or being able to bid on other flying not involving 50s, Comair will close the doors within a few years. Delta and the Kremlin have completely ruined what was once a proud and upstanding company.

In addition, I would be very wary of what comes out of S.B.'s mouth. Probably gearing up for another round of concessions to save the company. Fortunately this time, the words are bouncing off a deaf wall.

 

[bob_sakamano]

If a DAL/NWA merger goes through, I see a bleak future for CVG. With MSP & DTW, Cincinnati becomes rather redundant.

I'm not entirely sure that Comair would be dead though. Comair is still the leanest DCI carrier.

 

[wrigley23]

If a DAL/NWA merger goes through, I see a bleak future for CVG. With MSP & DTW, Cincinnati becomes rather redundant.

I'm not entirely sure that Comair would be dead though. Comair is still the leanest DCI carrier.

I think CVG is gone with United or Northwest. Either way ORD and DTW are the trumps. Good news for everyone in the tristate area wishing for their low-cost alternative. Southwest, JetBlue or whoever will enjoy a very uncongested airport.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Sounds like a CP got a nugget of info and wants to be the "you heard it from me first guy"

CP's are the last to know... they aren't part of the inside network or elite management, disregard...

 

[samballs]

Sounds like a CP got a nugget of info and wants to be the "you heard it from me first guy"

CP's are the last to know... they aren't part of the inside network or elite management, disregard...

The problem at OH is, peope don't get that. Most of the senior guys at OH come up with a thought of how they think the company will work, then make up some story so that their thoughts don't sound so far fetched.

 

[DrewBlows]

I wouldn't put much thought into what SB may have said to a recurrent training class. While he is management and he is on the negotiating team, he doesn't want pilots to give more concessions. And while he is more informed than the average line pilot, he is not on the list of people Delta consults when making decisions about Comair's future.

If you've been around SB at all you know he will give you his opinion. In this instance I think if he did say something to a recurrent class it was his opinion. I don't know why he continues to do this though. In times of uncertainty people are clamoring for information, and SB's position alone means that when he says something like that it spreads through the the pilot group quickly.

When you hear a new rumor, many times you hear "a very senior pilot told me..." or "a chief pilot told me...", the reality is a "very senior pilot" or a "chief pilot" aren't in the decision making process. A chief pilot generally hears news sooner than most, but I guarantee an announcement that Comair will be shut down will be done by press release, not rumor mill, which means that SB will hear it the same time as "a very senior captain" or even a junior first officer for that matter.

 

[RiddleEagle18]

sb came in to recurrent 2 weeks ago and said no hiring or upgrades for the rest of the year....


we're still hiring 8 a month and a vacancy upgrade bid for 15 captain positions published yesterday. Shows you what he knows

 

[PA44Jockey]

With line holders getting 76 hour lines, I don't see many people taking the red pill anymore. It's pretty bad when a company has to deadhead crews around to make up the min line value of 76 hours.

They want us to have hope that we will be sold to a private party. The sad part is that it's pretty much the only thing that would keep us alive and I don't see anyone biting. When was the last time you caught a fish with an old rusty hook? 50 seat lift isn't very attractive on MD-80 routes with fuel where it is.

 

[clarkwgriswald]

I think what he says very well may be the truth, however I agree that it is only his opinion. As was mentioned earlier he announce the bit about no new hires or upgrades, so take what he says with a grain of salt.

 

[relief tube]

I just heard that the CVG Chief Pilot S.B. just told a recurrent class that if the Delta/Northwest merger goes through, then Comair will be shut down. Any verification of this. Also heard that hiring has stopped and attrition will, at least for the short term, prevent furloughes, even in light of the 14 50 seaters being parked.

I used to work there, and still know of a few old friends I think are still there. Just wondering if what I heard is true.

Guys getting crapped upon is bad enough, but speculating about "doom and gloom" what-ifs is unneccessary.

 

[FDJ2]

If a DAL/NWA merger goes through, I see a bleak future for CVG. With MSP & DTW, Cincinnati becomes rather redundant.

I'm not entirely sure that Comair would be dead though. Comair is still the leanest DCI carrier.

I see four possibilities, one is the operation is shut down, two is spun off(sold/ipo),three is merged and four is status quo with fewer 50s and more 70/76 seaters.

Shutting it down doesn't make much sense to me since money can be made by selling it off. Maybe not much in it's present state, but nevertheless. On the other hand, the operation may be of greater value by trading in 50 seaters for MD90s for the mainline or parting off the airline and just keeping the ground handling. I don't think that will happen, but it is a possibility

Spinning off the airline in a sale or IPO is a real possibility. They could sell CMR "as is", or in order to maximize the value of the asset for sale they may start putting the lipstick on the pig. Ditch the 50 seaters and load up on the 70 and 76 seat aircraft. The 50s are done, the 70 and 76 seaters for the most part will be the future of RJ feed.

Merger is another possibility. I'm not too up on the Compass operation or NWA's relationship with its feed carriers, but a CMR merger with an existing NWA feed carrier might make sense. Getting rid of redundant management, and loading up the operation with 70/76 seat CRJs and EMB175s. The new operation could also fetch a healthy price if it were sold off.

Status quo, is also a possibility. It might just make more sense to keep it as a WO feeder and adjust the fleet mix. Fewer RJs but larger RJs. It is the simplest approach

Truly it is all speculative on my part, however I just don't see much value from shutting CMR down versus the other three options. JMHO

 

[~~~^~~~]

I think the sad news is that Delta has contracts with SkyWest (& probably Republic, possibly JetExpress) for certain levels of service that Delta can not now breach.

Would Comair have to be sacrificed? The answer is possibly yes and I think we have already seen this with the CRJ700's which were transferred to ASA to ensure compliance with the asset purchase agreement.

I doubt Delta wants to harm a part of their Company, but the conflicting contracts may give them no choice.

As far as selling Comair, I do not know who would buy given the circumstances.... Skywest maybe, but I do not see the market getting excited about an IPO and the Eagle sale seems to be on a similar trajectory.

 

[adisk811]

im voting for a Comair DTW base. No More Commuting!!!!

 

[DrewBlows]

im voting for a Comair DTW base. No More Commuting!!!!

Vote with your feet, come to Compass.

 

[Dumb Pilot]

Vote with your feet, come to Compass.

The only two things that move sideways are crabs and pimps

 

[generaltso]

Listen guys, I hate to see this happen to ComAir. However, most of those 50 seaters they have are going to end up in China... just as fast as DAL can sell them over there.

 

[ThisistheDream]

What is the date of hire of the most junior Comair captain currently online? is a DOH of 09/02 close?

 

[imacdog]

I doubt Delta wants to harm a part of their Company, but the conflicting contracts may give them no choice.

Um, Delta management doesn't give a crap about anyone but themselves.

 

[ThisistheDream]

If there is a DAL merger with someone, I dont see Comair just shutting down. They could shrink like alot of the DAL connection carriers and if CVG base was eliminated I could see Comair just shift the base to JFK and maybe open a BOS base. But for Comair to be just shutdown 100%, I cant see that really happening

 

[outtahere]

I hope not, I have two good friends over there and it would be terrible for their families. However, I think the entire regional industry is in for a world of hurt with these fuel prices going no where but up. I am sure GL and his other Delta cronnies are just loving it. But don't worry, the blade always swings back.

 

[Hovernut]

What is the date of hire of the most junior Comair captain currently online? is a DOH of 09/02 close?

11/02

And believe it or not, against all odds, another 15 CA vacancy was just released! If the more senior guys don't jump on this ship, I know 15 guys with 11/02 to early 03 who will snap this up! Git it while the gittin's good!!

 

[General Lee]

I think CVG is gone with United or Northwest. Either way ORD and DTW are the trumps. Good news for everyone in the tristate area wishing for their low-cost alternative. Southwest, JetBlue or whoever will enjoy a very uncongested airport.

Like PIT when USAir moved out? Did Southwest add a lot of flights there? How about Jetblue? CVG has no O&D traffic, and is only used as a connections hub. Do you think a lot of people ask "hey honey, do you want to spend the weekend in Cincinatti? We could get NASTY..?" Doubtful anyone would go in there and add a large hub even close to the number of current departures. Sad, but true. At least they built that new runway, and that new DHL sorting facility......


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

I hope not, I have two good friends over there and it would be terrible for their families. However, I think the entire regional industry is in for a world of hurt with these fuel prices going no where but up. I am sure GL and his other Delta cronnies are just loving it. But don't worry, the blade always swings back.

Loving it? I don't think so. It has been a huge fall since the days when Comair thought it was invincible, though. Lawson really thought he was large and incharge when asking for more 70 seaters when our furloughed pilots needed help. Regardless, it will be interesting to see what happens.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[spg2bmd]

Good lick guys, I hope you all get your stuff off soon... or do whatever you want.

 

[Flybywire44]

only on flightinfo do you read this stuff

 

[Jmoney]

General has a point......

Loving it? I don't think so. It has been a huge fall since the days when Comair thought it was invincible, though. Lawson really thought he was large and incharge when asking for more 70 seaters when our furloughed pilots needed help. Regardless, it will be interesting to see what happens.

Bye Bye--General Lee

I hate to see bad things happen up at Comair as well. I do believe that somewhere in this garbage, this arrogant windbag has a poiint........ Why the hell did Comair refuse to let furloughed DAL pilots work there? What was the harm in that idea? I think Comair's union did a huge disservice to themselves and their pilots by refusing to hire these guys in thier time of need. We had tons of them working at ASA, and were very happy to help.

 

[andyd]

I think Comair's union did a huge disservice to themselves and their pilots by refusing to hire these guys in thier time of need. We had tons of them working at ASA, and were very happy to help.

For what it's worth: My interview group, 4 of 8 Comair: 0 hired. My class last fall: 1/3 ASA.

 

[flyboyike]

Spinning off the airline in a sale or IPO is a real possibility.

Who'll be the buyer? AMR is officially trying to sell Eagle and nobody's taking.

 

[DrewBlows]

I hate to see bad things happen up at Comair as well. I do believe that somewhere in this garbage, this arrogant windbag has a poiint........ Why the hell did Comair refuse to let furloughed DAL pilots work there? What was the harm in that idea? I think Comair's union did a huge disservice to themselves and their pilots by refusing to hire these guys in thier time of need. We had tons of them working at ASA, and were very happy to help.

Why would you bring this up? It's been beaten to death, resurrected, and beaten again for the past six years.

Facts:
Comair pilots don't decide who gets hired at Comair.

J.C. Lawson is no longer MEC chairman at Comair.

The horse is dead.