Originally Posted by
Rosie
CMP is not covered by the NWA contract. The only wording in the NWA contact was regarding NEWCO which did become Compass. THe contact only provides for a flow up/down for NWA pilots should they be furloughed. There is nothing in the contract regarding Compass work rules pay etc. The only pay addressed in the NWA contact is for the DC-9 replacement and the contract only discusses a 100 seat or small-jet and pay. NWA has been looking very hard for a 100 seat jet and seem to be very interested in the 190/195. CMP/PNCL/Mesaba are all erroding main line flying at NWA and the "narrowbody floor" (number of DC9 and Airbus 319/320 aircraft) will not be set until one year after NWA exited CH 13. How many DC-9 and 319/320 can be parked in a year. There is a max number of RJ but I do not recall the number and presently the three NWA regionals are pretty far below it if I am correct.
All that being said....if I lived in MSP DTW or MEM I would consider NWA to save the pains of commuting. It just bothers me to get slightly better than RJ wages to fly an aircraft the size of one I previously had flown (DC-9). I aslo see a lot of bottom stagnation at NWA with the narrow bodies being reduced and CMP/PNCL/Mesaba picking up the flying.
Good Luck
Rosie
Alright first of all I didn't say we had the same contract as NWA. What we have is the contract that NWA's union set in place for us. Ron Hay's has been watching after the process and updating us and he sounds upbeat about the process as well. I think most of the NWA group knows him. The pay and work rules on the contract aren't half bad compared even to the regionals that have been fighting for the contracts for more than a decade. Now when we you are attacking my posts make sure you read them first.
Next, there is no one at CMP that want's to see the demise of NWA. We are not flying an a/c that is the same size as the 9. WE FLY THE E-175. That is the same size a/c that Mesaba is flying already for NWA. That doesn't mean this is great for NWA but it is hardly 125 seats. We have 60% of the seats the 9 does. So since that is about the same ratio the 9 has to the 757 does that mean that the 9 is taking flying away from the 757. I guess I like to take a scientific look at things rather than taking the rumors I've heard around the crew room. The CMP pilots WILL back up the NWA group when it comes time. We have a great bunch of guys coming on property. NWA is screening these guys. They are interviewed by retired NWA CA's. Most of the pilots here have at least 2 or 3 Airline type ratings already, with several I have met having types on DC-10's , 747-400's, and other widebody a/c. So you say why are they at CMP then. Well most thought starting at the TOP of a seniority list making 60-65k to start wasn't that bad why they waited to be recalled at other airlines or simply to stop spending 18 - 20 days on the road only to commute back to MSP at the end of a nearly month long trip. Many have applications at majors as well. I suppose any of you would take the hit though and go get a job at Walmart rather than take 2nd to 3rd year major pay immediately and stay on the flightdeck?
You want to know where the replacement for the 9 is? The 195 just received certification in the U.S., so you guys at NWA make sure it stays on property and you have your 100+ seat a/c. In fact, why don't you get the 175 back on property and then there won't be any CMP pilots flying them.
Right now CMP is hiring VERY high time pilots, but it won't stay that way. At least they are not filling the seats with 1500 hour CA's and 250 hour F.O.'s.
If NWA takes the 175 back I will be the first to offer them my blessings.
I really enjoy talking to the other people that like flying on this board. We all do or we wouldn't spend so much time reading all the same posts day after day. I really wish we could focus more energy on regaining what has been lost. In the near future all will see mngmt's ability to torture reduced as pilot #'s are quickly dwindling. The time to strike back is coming. Let's all try to focus on that. Sorry for the book guys...nothing better to do on a Saturday night I guess.
