Originally Posted by
Slaphappy
The whole “skywest will be used to whipsaw asa/xjt” argument is false. History has shown since skywest has owned ASA there has been no whipsaw what so ever
Why not start with the first CRJ 900s Skywest, Inc was allocated from Delta. Those were originally slated for ASA when Skywest, Inc made the purchase. Jerry told our pilot group point blank that if we did not give in on instructor pay he would award them to Skywest Airlines instead. We didn't give in and we didn't get the 900s. Is that not whipsaw?
While we voted on and got PBS, there was always the threat that if we did not reduce our costs compared to other pilot groups, we would not grow. Skywest Airlines has one of the lowest cost pilot groups out there and you can bet that Skywest, Inc is not going to miss out on an opportunity to grow!
What about health care? While I'm a fan of HSAs, they aren't for everyone and Skywest Inc is really pushing hard for a change in the next contract pointing to the fact that you did not have a choice.
That's three good examples without really having to think about it!!
If there had been one then ASA would not have gotten UAL flying, 10 900s, 4 700s from horizon and 13 700s from comair. Skywest airlines has only gotten 18 700s as replacements for bros and 15 200s for the failed Midwest contract.
ASA hasn't gained any aircraft from this - Skywest, Inc is simply being business savvy and making good deals to utilize existing assets. Keep in mind that ASA lost the ATRs in the time period you're talking about.
I think you have a very skewed view of whipsaw. It's a lot easier to say there's no such thing when you are the tool being used.