Whats the scoop @ Airnet?

[wlacy]

I spoke to a Lear 35 crew down in San Antone this afternoon. These Starcheckers weren't in high sprits after receiving bad news from the now privately-held comapny. ...Discuss

 

[hunt234]

I spoke to a Lear 35 crew down in San Antone this afternoon. These Starcheckers weren't in high sprits after receiving bad news from the now privately-held comapny. ...Discuss

We got an email this afternoon that we are furloughing 50-55 pilots. The company is restructuring the route system to make it more "efficient."

All of the runs are going to be re-bid in order of seniority. This will cause many jet captains to downgrade to FO, and jet FO to prop captain.

I'll post more when I'm done vomiting.

 

[Flyer1015]

Yikes! Sorry to hear the bad news.

 

[208starcheck]

Ouch, sorry to hear that. Airnet South (Netjets) is still hiring, call anyone you know.

 

[Princedietrich]

We got an email this afternoon that we are furloughing 50-55 pilots. The company is restructuring the route system to make it more "efficient."

All of the runs are going to be re-bid in order of seniority. This will cause many jet captains to downgrade to FO, and jet FO to prop captain.

I'll post more when I'm done vomiting.

Bloody hell. That's a freakin catastrophe.

 

[metrodriver]

The new guy that's in charge closed the doors at Gemini, expect the same at Airnet. I hope it will not go like it did for us, but be aware

 

[DA-20]

The new CEO you have is a SCUMBAG...........
A former GEMINI Guy

 

[Captain Morgan]

Crap! I'm sorry to hear this.

 

[hunt234]

What else is blowing my mind is that the whole entire route system is being re-bid in order of seniority. Tomorrow afternoon the biggest bid sheet ever will be posted and every remaining pilot has to bid on what run he/she wants.

Since commuting for us is not an option, if we get a different base we have to move.

 

[Princedietrich]

And where do the management folks stand in all of this? I find it suprising that the DO (if it's still the same guy who was there when I left) would allow something like this to happen without putting up a huge fight.

 

[TWA]

Wow, sorry to hear it guys. Isn't this the first time that Airnet has ever furloughed?

 

[208starcheck]

Have they told anyone which runs/cities are closing? The rebidding of the entire system should help with the attrition

 

[groundpointsix]

Have they told anyone which runs/cities are closing? The rebidding of the entire system should help with the attrition

Not officially but the rumor mill has more or less said what is closing. In the end it doesn't really matter whether your run is closing or not because after tomorrow (when the bid sheet comes out)they're all up for grabs. From the sound of things even if run xxx exists in number after the redesign it probably won't even look like it currently does.

I suspect the reason for the short recall time is because they're planning on a lot of people leaving once they find out they're going to have to move or downgrade to the props.

 

[SPilot]

Did not see this coming. WTF do you do, presented a choice to relocate to a base most likely not to your liking, on 1 < week notice, everything out of your own pocket. To fly something your logbook already have plenty of.

About one month ago, I remember reading a report from a meeting where someone had expressed concern over the stability of the pilot group's future. Answer from management was that the several earlier months had looked good, and the current month looked good, that AirNet was in a good position to ride out the storm, and positioned for very good growth once the markets picked up again, and AirNet would be the "only one still standing", roughly quoted.

I do however trust that they do this in the best interest of the company, and that it is out of necessity. However disappointed that a company traditionally treating most of us good and with decent pay, suddenly turns around and makes moves like this - system wide bidding that hurt not only those furloughed, but every single pilot. Its gonna hurt for everyone: the perfect punch.

 

[OUPilot]

i wish the best to everyone. when the dust settles from all this bs, i feel the pilot group will strongly vote in a union.

 

[wlacy]

Update:

Spoke to a different Starcheck Lear crew today, again in San Antone. This captain and first officer seemed more optimistic than the ones I spoke to yesterday, since they'd had a night to sleep on the news. I agree with those that believe its only a hiccup. and the attrition will come from those who cannot relocate easily, or do not wish to fly piston twins again ,or fly jets from a different seat.

 

[Way2Broke]

I just found out about this because I have been busy driving through Chicago twice in two days. That drive sucked, but not nearly as much as this!

Some question I have....

• How many will it be?
• What direction will the company head after reorganization?
• What is the cause of the layoff?
• How will this affect the companies that do charters for Airnet?

I offer very sincere sympathy to everyone that is hitting the street. I can obviously relate to your pain.

On a side note, you know things are bad when star check is putting pilots on the street. As I recall, they advertised that they have never had a layoff before.

Airnet has historically been a pretty darn good company, with good pilots. I've flown with alot of ex-star checkers and they have all been great. The type of flying leaves no choice, but to develop excellent skills.

Someone asked for advise about relocating on short notice to a new base. DO IT! Jobs are very scarce right now, trust me, I know. If you quit you might not be eligible for unemployment benefits, and even if you are it is not enough to support a family or for that matter yourself. I would hope that the pilot group can get together and not bid out of base unless your base is being closed. Think about the group, not yourself.

For those of you that will be looking for work, try to keep your heads up and be optimistic about the future. (VERY DIFFICULT) Future employers do not like to hear a interviewee complain about a old company. Try to focus on the good that came out of your experience while flying for them when asked about it (training, people you met, etc) There are some companies hiring still. It's important to keep yourself current, but attempt to not sell out the career in order to do so. (This can also be very difficult)

Good luck and I hope for a speedy recall.

 

[Way2Broke]

I suspect the reason for the short recall time is because they're planning on a lot of people leaving once they find out they're going to have to move or downgrade to the props.

Could the reason for the rebid be that they want people to quit so that the company does not have to pay out as much from unemployment insurance? A system wide re-bid seems very fishy.

 

[ljg]

Way2Broke,

Hear anything up around YIP that might be available these days? There are a few starcheckers who live in SE MI. Thanks.

 

[Way2Broke]

Alliance Air Charters was recently looking for a Shorts FO to be based in YIP. Kalitta Charters is rumored to be having a class in Nov or Dec on the Falcon and Lears. I've "heard" that Murray is looking for some Jetstream FOs, but that is second hand information. That is all I've got for YIP. In Ottawa Lake there is a listing on climbto350 for 135 pilots at a company called Aviation Network. It's about 45-50 minutes south of here. Their fax is 1(866)406-9195. Royal air freight is looking for 402 pilots in Waterford, MI.

I have no interest in staying anywhere near Detroit, unless it is very lucrative. I have left a couple of times lately and it made me realize how much I hate it here. It's odd, I am having culture shock when I visit places with a low crime rate. I wish I was kidding about that.

I have a pretty good finger on the pulse of what is out there in the way of "I need a job now", and "this is going to take 6 months to pan out" type jobs that are available. If you have any questions, ask and I will do what I can to answer. If I don't know I will point you to someone that does.

We are all in this together. But, what stinks is that alot of us are competing for the same jobs. One of the laid off USA Jet pilots was in the pool at Airnet. He was a Airnet refry, and a former instructor I believe. Fortunately, he is already seeking work outside of aviation in a place he wants to live. I know ALOT of people getting out right now. This whole thing makes me sick, because I love this career, and I hate to see it in shambles AGAIN. I think what they meant by Cyclical is that 1 out of every 15 years there is a glimmer of hope. That was about a year and half ago, this time. Seriously though, I give this downturn about 18-30 months. We need a overall economic recovery, stability in fuel prices, even if they are high, the election to be over, and for age 65 folks to start to retire (some are not staying all the way to 65). Of course, if a legacy carrier liquidates, hold on for one hell of a ride, and all bets are off. Who knows, maybe the government will continue to work towards socialism, and bail out the airlines again. I am apposed to that, but it would make the short term easier. Sorry this paragraph doesn't really help any of the people that lost their jobs, and it probably is the last thing that you guys want to here right now. I know, I was in the shock phase 2 months ago, like you.

About five years ago I heard the phrase, "Airlines hire until the furlough, and they furlough until they hire." Truer words have never been spoken.