Mda Delay

[jack mama]

I guess MDA is going to delay FA training till March? Any news as to why this is happening? What is the latest plan for the EMB170 roll out?

 

[USAirBoyA330]

The little 1-15 F/A furlough stunt could have something too do with it. It messed up the entire training timeline.

 

[Light Years]

When are the results of the MAA interest forms announced, and when do the next set of letters go out? I know people who have given tentative notice at jobs because the only info they've ever recieved talks about the possible Feb class. Will this be announced? Shockingly, not everyone reads this board.

 

[USAirBoyA330]

The problem is that some of the 1-15 furloughs have accepted positions for the FEB MAA training class. So with the company/AFA trying to work out how to handle the 552 furloughs...everything is up in the air. People that were not supposed to be offered MAA were and people who were not allowed a chance to bid...didn't. When I say the whole thing is a mess.....I MEANT A DISASTER. Although, I think it might also have something too do with the software certification from EMB.

 

[BoeingBoy]

For what it's worth, we are at the lowest credit rating allowed by the financing for the EMB-170's. Another downgrade and the financing goes away, which means MDA (MAA?) goes away.

Jim

 

[Light Years]

As a matter of interest, what happens then? Arent the EMB and CRJ orders tied together? Would that just mean no owned jets at all, passing the orders to Mesa or someone?

 

[BoeingBoy]

I suppose that Mesa or someone could pick up the orders if they wanted and could arrange financing (it might be pretty attractive from Embraer at that point). However, since the -170 can only be flown in U colors at MDA, it would take a change in the pilots agreement for anyone else to operate them for us. At any rate, MDA would go away without airplanes.

The rest of the RJ's could go to someone else within the limits of the pilot's agreement.

Jim

 

[USAirBoyA330]

Something is definitely up with MAA. The FEB F/A training class has been postponed now THROUGH March. I think the financing is being pulled or something major is about to happen.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Hi Bob,

This is one time I doubt anyone can blame Glass (I know you were kidding).

My speculation and a few bucks will buy you a Starbucks, but here goes my list of possibilities:

1 - FAA certification - several months ago full certification was delayed due to "minor problems" (Embraer's words). According to Aviation Week, it had to do with software in the flight management computers. Seems to me that a "minor problem" could possibly have been cleared up by now, so maybe it is more serious.

2 - Money - not the financing, we'll know that's gone if we see that our credit rating is downgraded again. I mean the money for start-up. With the ATSB "liquidity" requirement hanging over our heads, every dollar not spent is a dollar that doesn't have to be offset. I find it interesting that with the provisional certification of the -170 in place, there have been no required proving runs made (that I've heard of). But flying empty airplanes around costs money, doesn't it?

Given a choice, I'd bet on #2, but wouldn't discount either.

Jim

 

[BoeingBoy]

Bob,

Presumably so but time is running out. Being wildly optimistic, figure a month minimum to reach some agreement on any further concessions and get them out for union member vote, another week or two for the vote. That's say 6 weeks (warpspeed in negotiations). Implemention would take some amount of time - how long depends on the nature of the concessions - so say 2 months absolute minimum before the first savings could be realized (probably more like 3 or 4 months). Pretty soon you're talking about summer before anything changes - do we have that long?

So my guess is still door #2 just because of financial necessity - if it helps negotiations (from mgt side) that's just a plus.

Jim

 

[delldude]

For what it's worth, we are at the lowest credit rating allowed by the financing for the EMB-170's. Another downgrade and the financing goes away, which means MDA (MAA?) goes away.

Jim

don't suppose bronner's recent media scare tactics backfired do you? :huh:

 

[AOG-N-IT]

For what it's worth, we are at the lowest credit rating allowed by the financing for the EMB-170's. Another downgrade and the financing goes away, which means MDA (MAA?) goes away.

Jim

don't suppose bronner's recent media scare tactics backfired do you? :huh:

.....Has it ever had a positive return yet? Bronner needs to stay away from the media period !! Everytime he pops off his mouth , it scares off advance bookings and lowers employee morale to new lows. Thier is no way any of this can be looked upon as positive.

 

[USA320Pilot]

If GECAS pulls the EMB-170 financing, it would be a disclosible event to the SEC. Financing remains in place, but GECAS has let it be known that if S&P drops the company's credit rating from B- to C+, then the financing and Embraer Division could be in jeopordy.

The first revenue flight will be delayed past March 7. The EMB-170 problems are real, but the timing of the news one-day before ALPA meets with the company to discuss the "transformation plan" and potential "work rule" changes is suspect.

Respectfully,

USA320Pilot

 

[4lowed]

All,
Here are some reasons for MAA delays.

1. Simulator is broken. Hoping to resume training on February 9th.

2. The aircraft only has a "Provisional Certification". This means it can be flown for proving runs and training, but not revenue. The issue of who pays the liability insurance on this aircraft has been raised. GE won't pay insurance on a n airplane that is not fully certified, and Embraer won't cover Airways liability costs until the airplane is certified.

3. In a seperate insurance issue, the question of Life Insurance coverage for pilots has been raised. Specifically, will life insurance pay out if anything happens to a pilot on an aircraft that is not certified.

4. Internally, ALPA and managemnet continue to argue over SCABS and non-Airways pilots being able to deliver the aircraft from Brazil.

4lowed

 

[BoeingBoy]

Thanks USA320Pilot,

Are the 170's problems still software as reported a few months back in AWST, or are there other problems?

Frankly, I don't keep up with MDA goings on except what's in the media or posted here and on the ALPA site - if it ever gets to the point that I have to worry about it there won't be any MDA and the lights will be going out at U.

Jim