Originally Posted by
bored
Can everybody get a grip here? We don't know 100% that we're losing the ENTIRE fleet. We know we're losing 23, so why is everyone acting as if we're losing all 49. Between now and 2011 there is lots of time to wait and see what happens with the rest of the fleet. I get that the writing is on the wall, but we never can tell what's around the corner. We have to remember that an airline is a business and if our saabs aren't making money for DL, then it only makes sense to get rid of them. Nobody knows for certain what the economics of the planes in todays environment is. Nobody knows the revenue and yield of all these small markets. Unfortunately, we're just along for the ride and can't do anything about it. Reality check... sometimes the world doesn't always revolve around us pilots.
The world certainly does not revolve around Mesaba pilots, that is for sure. I am certain we are losing ALL the Saabs. I
promise you that will happen withinin the next couple years. Delta has already made up their minds on the future of the saab. They just refuse to tell their employees about it up front, that way they don't lower the morale and decrease operational effeciency. They won't inform their employees of their decision about each group of saabs, until they actually have to start making pilot reductions, preparing the planes for return to saab, etc.
As for the 200's, I used to assume that we would be the first to drop 200's; i really don't believe that anymore however. I do think they will keep are 200's and possibly even add some of the parked 200's to Mesaba's fleet. Maybe Delta will give us some of the parked 200's just sitting around being paid for to, so that they can fly to a few of the destinations no longer served by the saab, once the saabs go away.
I dunno, i am just guessing that Mesaba's 200's will not be the first to be eliminated from the DCI airplane mix. Painting/not painting a plane really means nothing as to the future of an airplane; I am not saying that i know the 200's will stay at Mesaba; i just don't think anyone should immediately assume the 200's are goners.
Once Mesaba shrinks down to a 600 pilot airline, I really just hope it stays that way. It would probably do everyone a lot of good. A lot better than hiring another 400-500 pilots, again and again and again, only to lay them off again and again and again. That way no one has to leave there current job, to come to Mesaba, only to lose there job at Mesaba a year later. Probably a blessing in disguise when I get my furlough letter, which is most likely, not very far off. Hopefully everyone that gets axed will move on to better jobs/companies. Good Luck to all!