Will ACA become MESA?

[c152]

This would be another step in the race for the bottom!!!

 

[Thrust Master]

I could actually see this this happen; how.
MESA will offer Airbus training via the Ornstien
program for a reduced rate of 15K after you
get your ATP via San Juan or whatever they call
it now.

I'll S$ck your Dick for a job offer and if hired ruin
the rest of the industry for fellow pilots.

Thrust Master

 

[SmackYourPappy]

DONT WASTE OUR TIME WITH THIS BULL$HIT.......


if ORALSTEIN gets his way, the company WILL go the way Eastern did... and this is NOT a veiled threat- it WILL happen!

Tailwinds

 

[Palerider957]

ACA drivers...

Congrats on a successful rally, perhaps this sent a good message to the shareholders.

You guys are a class act and I hope you are successful in repelling JO.....I'm surprised on one's shot that fu.cker yet..

Good luck with Indy, I look forward to seeing you guys at DCA!

 

[Rottweiller]

Dow Jones Business News
UPDATE:Atlantic Coast Pilots To Fight Bid To 'Bitter End'
Friday December 5, 6:46 pm ET


(Updates with comments from Mesa CEO in 9th paragraph.)
By Elizabeth Souder

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Pilots with Atlantic Coast Airlines Holdings Inc. (NasdaqNM:ACAI - News) pledged to "fight to the bitter end" against a bid by Mesa Air Group Inc. (NasdaqNM:MESA - News) to buy the company.

The unit of the Air Line Pilots Association (News - Websites) union that represents pilots with the Dulles, Va., airline said it sent a letter to the Mesa board stating its intention.

Brian Delahunty, vice chairman for the union, wouldn't say how far pilots are willing to go to fight the takeover bid, but he said they would use any legal means necessary.

Airline employees may not legally go on strike unless federal mediators can't resolve differences between employees and management.

In October, Phoenix regional airline Mesa launched a bid to buy Atlantic Coast in a stock swap valued at $511.7 million. Mesa, which owns less than 5% of Atlantic Coast shares, proposed a new slate of board members, which will be put to a vote shortly.

But the Atlantic Coast pilots would rather Atlantic Coast, which currently operates regional flights on behalf of several major airlines, follow its plan to become a low-cost carrier, called Independence Air.

"This hostile takeover is not in the best interest of ACA stakeholders and employees, and we will fight to the bitter end to avoid becoming yet another airline tossed in the Mesa graveyard," union boss Stephen Hunt said in a statement.

He is referring to two airlines that Mesa bought and later dismantled: WestAir, bought in 1991 and dismantled in 1998, eliminating 1,200 jobs, and CCAir, purchased in 1998 and since discontinued.

Mesa's current chief executive, Jonathan Ornstein, wasn't with the company when it dismantled Westair. In fact, Ornstein said he offered to buy WestAir from Mesa from his perch as an executive with Virgin Group . He said Mesa rejected his offer. Ornstein, who became CEO of Mesa in 1998, said CCAir was dismantled because it was losing money, but he offered jobs at Mesa to most of the CCAir employees.

Atlantic Coast pilots last month agreed to a 7% pay cut to help the airline become independent. Union Vice Chairman Delahunty said the offer doesn't apply if Atlantic Coast management changes.

And on Thursday, another Atlantic Coast employee group called AERO staged a rally to protest the hostile takeover bid by Mesa. AERO stands for ACA Employees Repelling Ornstein.

AERO said in a press release that around 400 employees rallied in Washington, chanting "No Johnny O."

The Air Line Pilots Association, for its part, said it has no beef with Ornstein. Delahunty said Atlantic Coast pilots simply would rather take on the risk of working for a low-cost upstart, rather than continue flying for major airlines.

Mesa officials weren't immediately available for comment.

Mesa's Ornstein in the past has said that Atlantic Coast shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote whether to stick with the regional airline business model, which has been profitable for Atlantic Coast before and since Sept. 11, 2001, or to change direction.

-By Elizabeth Souder, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-4148; [email protected]