Us Airways Reaches $125 Mln Deal For Restructuring

[Rico]

Well lets get this back on topic,

Since you seem to like checking A/C registrations 700, please do a quick check to confirm if AWAC, or UAL owns the Bac Jets that they operate.

That is something that would be interesting to know. Also a comparison of fleet size between AWAC, and what Mesa, CHQ and TSA each operate for U right now is worthwhile to compare.

Thank you

 

[700UW]

You need tail numbers or serial numbers.

Here is a link to the FAA Database Search.

Aircraft Registration Inquiry

 

[Rico]

I will dig around, I remember that the AWAC Bac Jets are each grandfathered into the UAL scope clause by N-Number, but I have not been able to pull that list up yet, as I am only taking short breaks between "honey-do" items for my day off.

If someone, esp a UAL someone could toss those N Numbers up that would help.

Thanks

 

[700UW]

Rico,

Try this web page

Airliner List

 

[delldude]

I will dig around, I remember that the AWAC Bac Jets are each grandfathered into the UAL scope clause by N-Number, but I have not been able to pull that list up yet, as I am only taking short breaks between "honey-do" items for my day off.

If someone, esp a UAL someone could toss those N Numbers up that would help.

Thanks

[post="249059"][/post]​

getting near time for a beer rico.......

 

[usfliboi]

My thoughts... RSA will stay the largest investor, and us will be taken private. wait and see !

 

[bwipilot]

I'm happy for the optimists that they have something to be happy about.

Still, this deal smells like a rat.

1. Those who mention that $125 mil is very small make a very good point. It's enough to survive for another six months--but not to come out of bankruptcy. Also pointed out, GE requires U to exit bankruptcy by Jul. Well, on the good side GE has been very flexible.

2. AWAC does sound like its giving somewhat little to get a place for its planes. Yes, U may be able to leverage it's other RJ operators--but it will have very little with AWAC.

3. More RJs lowering costs--good management decision? Just sounds like more pie in the sky U management. RJs don't lower CASM--their niche is allowing point to point on thinner routes or feeding hubs with high yields. Sound like smoke up the arse.

 

[Rico]

1. Those who mention that $125 mil is very small make a very good point. It's enough to survive for another six months--but not to come out of bankruptcy. Also pointed out, GE requires U to exit bankruptcy by Jul. Well, on the good side GE has been very flexible.

No one said it was the only financing coming our way, just part of it. As I pointed out before, this sort of thing is a magnet for other financing, as AWAC assumes part of the risk and produces a fair percentage of the needed capital that the primary exit financier would have had to fork over otherwise.

2. AWAC does sound like its giving somewhat little to get a place for its planes. Yes, U may be able to leverage it's other RJ operators--but it will have very little with AWAC.

My point was that for a change, U is getting something for what they are giving. A needed cash infusion and show of support at this time means a lot. Granted, AWAC will have a degree of leverage that the other affiliates do not, but IMO they bought a safe harbor if UALX and AWAC part ways... Rather than controlling interest to barter a sweetheart deal for themselves.

3. More RJs lowering costs--good management decision? Just sounds like more pie in the sky U management. RJs don't lower CASM--their niche is allowing point to point on thinner routes or feeding hubs with high yields. Sound like smoke up the arse

Again, no one said that additional RJ's would be added, only that AWAC has the option to operate RJ's for U, and obviously while in BK our current agreements with current affiliates can be scrapped. This is something that will have to play itself out to see where it goes...

 

[justaumechanic]

I am curious about your one statement... "USAirways if finally getting something".

What exactly is US Airways getting besides 125 million in cash to keep operating?

AirWis gets the #2 priority position behind the ATSB.. That's a better spot than GECAS gets!!

If everything is so rosey why does the company feel it needs another 125mil to make it to June?

Keep in mind this is not EXIT money.. This is strickly DIP money.

Per the agreement posted they get to convert this to equity in the new company. Just like RSA did coming out of the first deal. (except they ponied up the exit money and got the stock)

 

[Rico]

Show me where Mesa, CHQ, Trans States, Colgan, or any other so called "partner" affiliate carrier has invested 125 Million dollars (let alone any cash) into us... There is your one big differnence.

No, this is not Billions and Billions, but it is needed, and it is welcome. It is just one of many things going on to help reform and transform our Airline.

What collateral is left over for AWAC if we were to fail now is a difficult question to answer, so this investment is in itself an endorsement that we have a future, and we can succeed.

The glass IS half full.

 

[700UW]

There are CRJs are mostly owned saw some leased, I checked several 146s and they are shown to be to be a mix also.

They also have an several old PSA B146s A/C 183US, 181US and 179US.

You can go to www.airliners.net and do a search to find photos and tail #s.

For example N291UE is owned by Wilmington Trust, that is an old UA owned one.

 

[the turtle]

AirWisconsin has one of (if not the highest) fee per departure costs in the industry. That's one of the reasons Mesa replaced AWAC in Den. Something about the Bain report that shook up the regional feed for United.

I don't blame some of you for wanting to see Mesa out of U, but Mesa's costs may keep them around.

Pretty clever move on AWAC's part, you gotta admit. A regional moving in on a major.

I think AWAC sees itself losing more if not all of their United flying.

As I've said before, Mesa's ERJ's are out of contract in 2007, one way or another.

 

[PBRmeASAP]

AirWisconsin has one of (if not the highest) fee per departure costs in the industry. That's one of the reasons Mesa replaced AWAC in Den. Something about the Bain report that shook up the regional feed for United.

I don't blame some of you for wanting to see Mesa out of U, but Mesa's costs may keep them around.

Pretty clever move on AWAC's part, you gotta admit. A regional moving in on a major.

I think AWAC sees itself losing more if not all of their United flying.

As I've said before, Mesa's ERJ's are out of contract in 2007, one way or another.

[post="249098"][/post]​

I'm an instructor at Mesa and yea Mesa it seems wants rid of the ERJ's and wants limited exposure to Airways listen to JO's hotline 1-877-637-2236.

The thing I cant understand is why is Mesa hated so much.
When Im flying the line representing U I do everything possible to get everyone where they are going in an on time and friendly manner! ( If I have an FA that is nasty to Pax that FA is immediately talked to.

Ill carry less fuel to get mainline jumpseaters on board a full flight

I hear about how nasty our flight attendants are but at least they dont sit in a galley and gab all day and then act really bothered when someone wants something ( Im not saying this is true with all but it happens a lot when I've been on planes)

When USAirways hit bankruptcy the first time Mesa invested money in mainline

When PSA and MDA first started operating jets I was working every legal day to cover the flying due to the cancellations at PSA and MDA.

I have never heard a Mesa crew member waiting for a flight and bitching the whole time loudly enough for everyone to hear at the gate " If I didnt work for this airline vthere is no way I would fly on it" like a mainline Capt in Mobile Alabama.

In the past I have never or heard of any Mesa Crew delaying a flight because ...."I didnt get my crew meal wa wa wa"! ( I had to cover a flight because a Piedmont crew didnt get their crew meal and wouldn't fly)

You didn't see our people calling in sick on Christmas!

As far as I know we were the only ones participating in Jets 4 jobs and putting mainline pilots in the left seat of Mesa airplanes.
In addition any furloughed United guys were given preferential hiring at Mesa without having to lose a seniority number at United.

So all I hear is Mesa sucks this and that but I never hear why!!


So lets hear some specific real reasons why Mesa is sooooo bad, and not little things on one specific flight.... thst happens at every airline.


If Airways didnt have Mesa's RJ's during all these bankruptcies at the low fee for departure along with Chataqua and Trans States ( the latter two actually pulling planes out of the Airways system to feed other airlines and Mesa adding planes to cover the routes) would Airways even still be around.......
I'm not saying that Mesa is the greatest place to work... I have my paperwork out there trying to move on as most at Mesa, it just gets really old everyone pointing the finger and bitching about the same things that happen at mainline and the wholly owned carriers!

 

[700UW]

In 2003 US paid Mesa $232,000,000.

Mesa invested money in US before the first chapter 11 filing.

All contract carriers flying RJs for US has Jet4Jobs.

And without $232,000,000 I doubt Mesa would be in such great shape.

 

[Light Years]

All very interesting...

As far as regional airlines go, Air Wisconsin has always seemed to be a professional, well-run carrier.

Interestingly they have 70 CRJs (U's 50 seater of choice). Roughly, Mesa operates about 55 CRJs/ERJs, and CHQ and Trans States about 20 each as US Airways Express. They could easily replace the current affiliates. Or more far-fetched, PDT and PSA could be bought and merged into AWA, forming a single, exclusive entity like ExpressJet. Mesa, Trans States and CHQ are all United Express carriers and would likely take those jets to United Express, so it would really just be an even switch. Who knows.

Funny enough some of the Bae146s Air Whisky operates started out at PSA (as in smiles and California PSA), and became part of the mainline USAir fleet for a few years. Air Wisconsin was actually owned by United at one point, but was in violation of the UAL AFA contract which dictates that all owned UAL flying be done by the United seniority list. When United and US Airways were to merge, one condition to satisfy this was that Allegheny, Piedmont and PSA be sold to ACA as UA could not have wholly owneds. The CEO of Air Wisconsin used to be at Trump Shuttle, which of course became the US Airways Shuttle. Airlines are more complicated to follow than my fickle friend's love life.

It's a sign of the times that a "regional" airline is bailing out a "major" airline. But the financing is great, things could really be looking up.