Nixspilot

Did North American shutdown today?

PushingTin

I heard today that NAA was shutting down with the exception on their contract out of IAD and would completely shutdown when that contract is over. They are going furloughs out of seniority due to contract requirements in IAD. If this is fact; its truly sad what their parent company has done to them, World, and ATA. Hope all my brothers and sisters there are able to find a soft landing someplace else.

Packrat

Its more likely the IAD operation will be sold.

bhmdiversion

Read the court docket - if NA paid Cerebreus today they survive... Haven't heard if they did or didn't... Good luck to those affected

JonnyKnoxville

BREAKING: North American Airlines Clings to Life, To Continue Flying...For Now

Much was wondered about the fate of North American Airlines (NAA) following the demise of sister-airline and fellow Peachtree City, Georgia, tenant World Airways just last week. The following information was provided to employees Monday morning…
North American Airlines will attempt to continue flying only Department of Defense charter flights on two 767-300s (aircraft N767NA and N768NA), while returning their two remaining aircraft (N760NA and N764NA) to lessors. These government flights may by ceased by court order as early as today, due to lack of funding and the airline’s current owner, Global Aviation Holdings, being dissolved.

North American Airlines is being offered up to potential buyers, while the airline retains their own operating certificate, seemingly ownerless. The challenge is to keep the airline operating, which is the only way they would be able to sell it.

On the staffing end, all employees will be terminated (including their New York City training base and Tampa maintenance facility to be fully closed) with the exception of about 95 total employees in Peachtree City, though funding for their retention is still not approved as of yet. If those 95 employees are indeed kept, their retirement and healthcare pay will end at 5pm Monday (accrued retirement will be kept), but they will receive a stipend to pay for their own healthcare. Though all others will be considered terminated, only pilots that are let go will be considered on furlough, though there is no cash to pay them. Salaries for all employees (retained and terminated) is only guaranteed up to last Friday.

North American Airlines was founded in 1989 as a charter airline, as well as to provide feeder service for Israeli carrier El Al within North America. From the mid-1990s until 2008, North American flew scheduled service to South America and Africa from the United States. All scheduled service ended in 2008 and the airline moved to operating only charter flights for the military, resorts, and tour operators.

More details as they develop…

cloudroller

I know someone at NAA. They said furlough was done out of seniority order. The MEC chairman, who is IAD based, sold out all the JFK based pilots, in order to keep his captains seat. This was against the advise of the rest of the MEC, who are all JFK based. Now that the JFK pilots are furloughed. The future MEC will be IAD.

He also said the CEO at Global had NAA sold back when they were operating 5 aircraft. But the deal fell through because the buyer refused to pay a 5 million dollar exit fee to the CEO. The CEO also took just under 7.5 million (almost all of NAAs profits from last year) to try and save world.

NCR757dxr

If the IAD crews have the special training for the CIA flying and the JFK crews don't (which is what I'm hearing is the case) then I'd hardly say the "MEC chairman sold out the JFK pilots." If they don't have the required training, they don't have the required training. Simple as that. No need to pit crews against each other in a time like this.

EricJ320

If I recall, it's more about extensive FBI background checks than training. When we were bidding that contract at Ryan, the company approached our MEC about fencing off that contract once it was originally awarded to those pilots, so that the checks could be done. Flopping back and forth between it and other flying, or more correctly, letting others fly it without the checks was not possible. Of course we didn't get the contract so it was never discussed any further, but that was our company's line at the time.

I agree, throwing the MEC under the bus isn't fair. I'm sure they are doing whatever they can to help save the company and jobs, their own included! It's stressful and trying times for everyone.

Good luck all NAA crews, I was in your shoes last year. It's not fun, but there is life on the other side!

cloudroller

My friend said no special training. It's a background check which is not much of anything. So of the more Sr JFK pilots were already cleared and have done the IAD flying. They were furloughed. The MEC chairman sold out the pilots. Ask anyone who works at naa.

If aggregating the Senority list is not selling out the pilots. Then your correct. My understanding they are saving there own jobs at the expense of someone else that's SR to them.

NCR757dxr

My DOD background checks were far from "not much of anything." I know it took them weeks (at least two to process it). That is for a DOD check. Can't imagine what the CIA stuff is. In anger people will form their own opinion without looking at the facts. That is fair and no matter what facts get presented their minds won't be changed. Human nature.

All I can say is good luck to those in this cluster ****.