Alpa Provides Proposal To Management

[USA320Pilot]

Funguy2:

Funguy2 said: "Thanks for the explanation of your comment. As usual, there are so many IFs, which at current, don't seem possible, that its hard to even consider the growth aircraft as part of the equation. ALPA could ratify the new agreement, only to see oil go to $45/barrel, profitablity slip away again, and no new aircraft."

US320Pilot comments: I agree. The industry continues to see deteriorating fundamentals and US Airways' transformation from a pure legacy-network airline to a LCC/network carrier hybrid will be difficult. If the company is successful, then management can look to add presumably Airbus and EMB-190/195 aircraft. Nonetheless, last week Bruce Lakefield told ALPA he was going too met last Friday with the Airbus senior vice president of sales for North America to examine potential 2005 A320 deliveries.

Will it happen? Who knows, but Lakefield is exploring the option.

Respectfully,

USA320pilot

 

[USFlyer]

Being a professional??? I have another term for that.

And who exactly is getting all those free hours of pay that you are not getting??? I will give you a hint.......look towards the executive ranks of your company !!!

That's right......you work hours way beyond what you are paid for and do it so willingly......all for the sake of professionalism :huh: ????

I hate to tell you this but where I come from that is a classic case of TAKING ADVANTAGE of your employees. And to have a general feeling of acceptance of this injustice boggles my mind.....they did a good job at "conditioning" the salaried employees to have them tolerate this treatment.

An honest wage for an honest days work......Live better-Work Union

*sigh*

 

[Light Years]

++++++++++++++++++

 

[USA320Pilot]

Light Years:

Light Years said: “Turning around now and saying "oh, but the one with a few more rows, 90 seats- thats mainline!" isnt going to happen. MAA is up and running and growing like wildfire, and thats where any larger EJets will go.â€￾

USA320Pilot comments: That’s not true, unless ALPA waives its scope clause. The current ALPA agreement states that anything larger than 86,000 pounds maximum certificated weight must be flown on the mainline, which excludes the present definition of MDA. Per the current contract, the CRJ-705, CRJ-900, EMB-190, and EMB-195 must be flown on the mainline per the ALPA contract. Could LPA permit the 90-seat RJ be flown at MDA? Sure, but the union would expect something in return to meet the $295 million cost cut target.

Light Years said: The growth will be in the Embraers, and its all or nothing where they go. The whole point is that its a single type in the 70-110 seat range. Seperating them by number of seats is redundant and not cost-effective.

USA320Pilot comments: Last Friday Bruce Lakefield met with Airbus officials to discuss taking A320 aircraft deliveries in 2005 and beyond. With a competitive cost structure in high density and high O&D revenue markets, the A319 and A320 would have better economics than a 70 to 110-seat aircraft because its CASM would be lower.

The “Transformation Planâ€￾ envisions flying high frequency quick turns in markets like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington to Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Dallas, Houston, etc. These routes have high O&D revenue and are where people want to fly point-to-point, therefore, an aircraft with a lower CASM such as the A320 family aircraft provide better economics than the 70 to 110-seat aircraft per management’s business plan presentation provided last week to the pilots.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

 

[700UW]

US is not getting the 705, your union said it violated your contract, so instead the company bought 700s for Mesa, how fast you forget.

ALPA will bendover of Lakefield, according to them he is the messiah, ALPA feeds thier young to the wolves at every avenue. Look at how LOA 91 screwed every other single employee group by permitting 70+ to be given to Mesa or anyone else therefore denying out furloughed employees a job at MDA.

Plus ALPA Pilots all ready own almost 20% of this pig airline.

Maybe he MEC needs to go to the Dr and get one of the following:

 

[Light Years]

USA320Pilot comments: That’s not true, unless ALPA waives its scope clause. The current ALPA agreement states that anything larger than 86,000 pounds maximum certificated weight must be flown on the mainline, which excludes the present definition of MDA. Per the current contract, the CRJ-705, CRJ-900, EMB-190, and EMB-195 must be flown on the mainline per the ALPA contract. Could LPA permit the 90-seat RJ be flown at MDA? Sure, but the union would expect something in return to meet the $295 million cost cut target.

 

[mweiss]

And who exactly is getting all those free hours of pay that you are not getting??? I will give you a hint.......look towards the executive ranks of your company !!!
...I hate to tell you this but where I come from that is a classic case of TAKING ADVANTAGE of your employees.
...An honest wage for an honest days work......Live better-Work Union

That's right. I keep forgetting how your unions have done such an amazing job at keeping the people at the top from taking huge amounts of money.

 

[PoorPropDriver]

US is not getting the 705, your union said it violated your contract, so instead the company bought 700s for Mesa, how fast you forget.

ALPA will bendover of Lakefield, according to them he is the messiah, ALPA feeds thier young to the wolves at every avenue. Look at how LOA 91 screwed every other single employee group by permitting 70+ to be given to Mesa or anyone else therefore denying out furloughed employees a job at MDA.

Plus ALPA Pilots all ready own almost 20% of this pig airline.

Maybe he MEC needs to go to the Dr and get one of the following:

Actually, there are no 700's at Mesa. The 705 orders were converted to 700's and are currently being delivered to PSA.

 

[700UW]

US AIRWAYS WILL NOT TAKE DELIVERY OF CRJ-705 AIRCRAFT MESA AIRLINES TO OPERATE CRJ-700 AS US AIRWAYS EXPRESS
ARLINGTON, Va., July 9, 2003 -- US Airways said today that it has notified Bombardier Aerospace that it will not be taking delivery of the 25 CRJ-705 regional jet aircraft ordered in May, and instead, will contract with Mesa Airlines to fly at least 25, and perhaps as many as 55 70-seat regional jets under the US Airways Express name.

The decision was made after US Airways and its Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) unit could not reach an agreement on terms under which the 75-seat CRJ-705 would be flown by a wholly owned US Airways affiliate using furloughed US Airways pilots under the carrier’s ‘Jets For Jobs’ program.

"We continue to believe that the CRJ-705 falls within the parameters of our contract with ALPA, and we were enthusiastic about the purchase of these planes, which would have provided jobs for up to an additional 225 furloughed US Airways pilots," said Bruce Ashby, president of US Airways Express. "ALPA disagreed, and rather than spend months – maybe even years – negotiating and arbitrating our differences, we have decided instead to place the jets at Mesa. That will mean fewer jobs for furloughed pilots and at lower wage rates, but it reflects the position ALPA has maintained in representing its members."

Under the US Airways-ALPA ‘Jets For Jobs’ agreement, half of all regional jet pilot positions at affiliate carriers such as Mesa must be filled with furloughed US Airways pilots. But 100 percent of the jobs associated with the CRJ-700 series and Embraer 170/175 aircraft go to furloughed pilots placed at the airline’s regional carriers (PSA, Piedmont and Allegheny) or its new wholly owned MidAtlantic Airways division.

"Throughout our negotiations, we impressed upon ALPA the need to stay on track in order to take delivery of these new regional jets," said Ashby. "We finally concluded that we must agree to disagree, and since we must continue to run the company and implement our new business plan, the end result was the decision to utilize Mesa and its workforce, since that is the net result of ALPA’s position."

MidAtlantic will be flying Embraer 170/175 aircraft. The CRJ-705 seats 75 passengers in a dual-class configuration, with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 82,500 pounds. The Embraer 175, which ALPA has already agreed to fly at regional jet pay rates and work rules, seats 76 passengers in a dual configuration, with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 85,517 pounds.

Reporters needing additional information should contact US Airways Corporate Communications at (703) 872-5100.

 

[Bear96]

That's right. I keep forgetting how your unions have done such an amazing job at keeping the people at the top from taking huge amounts of money.

Huh??? And people are starving in Africa. Is that "our unions'" fault as well?

I think you misunderstand the role and responsibility of unions. Their role is to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements.

They have neither the obligation nor the resources to cure all the evils of corporate greed. If they manage to do so while doing their primary job, great. But I hardly think it is fair to imply unions have failed because Seigel walked away with millions, unless of course you think unions have the power to set executive compensation.

 

[mweiss]

I think you misunderstand the role and responsibility of unions.

Not at all. I was responding to E-TRONS's suggestion that having a union prevents upper management from sucking a company dry. It's a fallacy, of course.

...though it is certainly possible for a union to tie management compensation to a contract. None have done so to my knowledge, but it would be possible to do, if they cared that much.

 

[PoorPropDriver]

US AIRWAYS WILL NOT TAKE DELIVERY OF CRJ-705 AIRCRAFT MESA AIRLINES TO OPERATE CRJ-700 AS US AIRWAYS EXPRESS
ARLINGTON, Va., July 9, 2003 -- US Airways said today that it has notified Bombardier Aerospace that it will not be taking delivery of the 25 CRJ-705 regional jet aircraft ordered in May, and instead, will contract with Mesa Airlines to fly at least 25, and perhaps as many as 55 70-seat regional jets under the US Airways Express name.

The decision was made after US Airways and its Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) unit could not reach an agreement on terms under which the 75-seat CRJ-705 would be flown by a wholly owned US Airways affiliate using furloughed US Airways pilots under the carrier’s ‘Jets For Jobs’ program.

"We continue to believe that the CRJ-705 falls within the parameters of our contract with ALPA, and we were enthusiastic about the purchase of these planes, which would have provided jobs for up to an additional 225 furloughed US Airways pilots," said Bruce Ashby, president of US Airways Express. "ALPA disagreed, and rather than spend months – maybe even years – negotiating and arbitrating our differences, we have decided instead to place the jets at Mesa. That will mean fewer jobs for furloughed pilots and at lower wage rates, but it reflects the position ALPA has maintained in representing its members."

Under the US Airways-ALPA ‘Jets For Jobs’ agreement, half of all regional jet pilot positions at affiliate carriers such as Mesa must be filled with furloughed US Airways pilots. But 100 percent of the jobs associated with the CRJ-700 series and Embraer 170/175 aircraft go to furloughed pilots placed at the airline’s regional carriers (PSA, Piedmont and Allegheny) or its new wholly owned MidAtlantic Airways division.

"Throughout our negotiations, we impressed upon ALPA the need to stay on track in order to take delivery of these new regional jets," said Ashby. "We finally concluded that we must agree to disagree, and since we must continue to run the company and implement our new business plan, the end result was the decision to utilize Mesa and its workforce, since that is the net result of ALPA’s position."

MidAtlantic will be flying Embraer 170/175 aircraft. The CRJ-705 seats 75 passengers in a dual-class configuration, with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 82,500 pounds. The Embraer 175, which ALPA has already agreed to fly at regional jet pay rates and work rules, seats 76 passengers in a dual configuration, with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 85,517 pounds.

Reporters needing additional information should contact US Airways Corporate Communications at (703) 872-5100.

While that may be what the company released on 9 July of last year, no CRJ 700 aircraft have been put into service with MESA and have been in fact and continue to be delivered to PSA.

 

[E-TRONS]

Not at all. I was responding to E-TRONS's suggestion that having a union prevents upper management from sucking a company dry.

MW: I've been waiting.........

You misunderstood my point.....I never implied that notion.

Once again: "A union is a necessary EVIL." Take it for what it's worth.

Go back and read the last post from BEAR96. He took the words out of my mouth.

CHEERS BEAR

 

[700UW]

Hey Poor,

Those previous press release has nothing to do with the PSA 700, read this one dated SEVERAL MONTHS earlier.

US AIRWAYS PLACES RECORD REGIONAL JET ORDER WITH BOMBARDIER AND EMBRAER
Agreement Comprises Both 50-Seat and 70-seat Aircraft
ARLINGTON, Va., May 12, 2003 -- US Airways has set into motion another key element of its business recovery plan today with an agreement to purchase a total of at least 170 Canadair and Embraer regional jets from Bombardier Aerospace of Canada and Embraer of Brazil, respectively. The first aircraft delivery is scheduled for October 2003.

The order equally splits between the world's two leading regional jet manufacturers a combination of 170 firm orders and 380 options to purchase aircraft. The estimated value of the firm order, based upon list price, is approximately $4.3 billion. Financing terms were not disclosed.

"These new regional jets will enable US Airways to generate additional revenue by growing our route network and competing more vigorously in short-to-medium-length haul markets," said US Airways President and Chief Executive Officer David N. Siegel. "The RJs also will enable us to increase hub feed by adding new markets that were too distant for turboprop aircraft, and replace current turboprop flying, which will please many customers who prefer jet aircraft. Regional jets will allow us to replace and complement larger jet aircraft on routes with poor to marginal performance, which then can be re-deployed to operate in more profitable destinations, such as the Caribbean and on other routes where we currently do not fly."

"Both manufacturers were extremely aggressive in vying for our business. I believe that this agreement is going to benefit US Airways and its employees, and brings the greatest value to our company," said Siegel. "As a result of this great deal, we were able to split the order equally between Bombardier and Embraer."

Under the Bombardier agreement, US Airways has firm orders for 60 CRJ Series 200, 50-seat single-class aircraft; and 25 CRJ Series 700, 75-seat dual-class aircraft. The 50-seat order for the CRJ Series 200 aircraft is scheduled to be delivered beginning in October 2003 to US Airways Express wholly owned subsidiary PSA Airlines. All firm order CRJ aircraft will be delivered by April 2005.

US Airways also has placed firm orders for 85 Embraer 170, 70-seat, dual class aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for November 2003 to MidAtlantic Airways, a regional jet division of US Airways, Inc. US Airways has the option to convert the Embraer 170s to Embraer 175s with 76 seats. All Embraer 170 deliveries are to be received by September 2006.

Siegel said that these smaller jet aircraft are extremely well suited to serve the US Airways network and will fill in nicely with schedules at key times at the airline's hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, as well as its major East Coast operations at Boston, New York LaGuardia and Reagan Washington National.

"We are extremely pleased that US Airways has selected the Bombardier CRJ family of regional jets as part of its profit strategy," said Pierre Beaudoin, president and chief operating officer, Bombardier Aerospace. "US Airways will realize the operating benefits of high performance, low operating costs and family commonality. In addition, US Airways customers will also enjoy more convenient, comfortable service."

"To be a part of US Airways' remarkable growth plan and to have them as the launch customer in North America for the Embraer 170 is exciting for all of us at Embraer," said Mauício Botelho, president and chief executive officer of Embraer. "US Airways is redefining the American commercial airline market, and we are very proud to be supplying the Embraer 170, an aircraft that is redefining what people expect from a commercial airliner."

The CRJ Series 700 aircraft and the Embraer 170s will offer both First and Coach-Class service. Every seat is either an aisle or window seat. These regional jets also provide comfortable leg space with plenty of overhead and under-the-seat baggage storage room and stand-up headroom. They have a cruising speed of around 500 miles per hour and can cruise at altitudes above 30,000 feet. GE engines will power each of these regional jets.

US Airways is the nation's seventh-largest airline, serving nearly 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle, and the US Airways Express partner carriers operate over 3,300 flights per day, with US Airways Express wholly owned subsidiaries and affiliate carriers operating more than 60 percent of those flights. For additional information on fares and schedules, visit US Airways online at usairways.com.

Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aviation products and provides services for the regional, business and amphibious aircraft markets. It also offers Bombardier Flexjet* and Bombardier Skyjet* business aircraft programs, technical services, and aircraft maintenance and pilot training for business, regional airline and military customers.

Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services company, is a world-leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational products. It also provides financial services and asset management in business areas aligned with its core expertise. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, the corporation has a workforce of some 75,000 people and manufacturing facilities in 25 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. - NYSE: ERJ; Bovespa: EMBR3 and EMBR4) is one of the world's leading aerospace companies. With headquarters in São José dos Campos, state of São Paulo, and offices and customer service bases in Australia, China, France, Singapore and the United States, the Company as of March 31, 2003, has a total workforce of 12,407 people. Embraer was Brazil's largest exporter from 1999 to 2001, and second largest in 2002. As of March 31, 2003, Embraer's firm order backlog totaled US$7.9 billion and the total backlog, including options, equaled US$19.2 billion.

Reporters needing additional information should contact US Airways Corporate Communications at (703) 872-5100.

 

[mweiss]

MW: I've been waiting.........

Boy am I glad to hear that.

You misunderstood my point.....I never implied that notion.

OK...let's focus specifically on your comment of "an honest wage for an honest day's work," with reference to "all those free hours of pay that you [a salaried employee] are not getting [paid for]." Is this different from the "all those free hours of pay that" flight attendants aren't getting paid for, as negotiated by AFA?

Once again: "A union is...EVIL."

Yes, I removed "a necessary" from your quote. That's just an additional adjective.