CSI
 

Aight. What's the scoop on the CSI deal? Congrats(?) to everyone? It seems like they're hiring hard and recalling furloughs from Intel I've gathered.. So they must be ambitious. What's the word on the street?

I do sincerely mean congratulations, if it is warranted. Just hoping for the best for my fellow Cheeseheads.

Good news for Air wisky!
 

Me to also a fellow cheese head here I am really happy, they are hiring, and they are supposed to keep doing charters with the new owners. But sadly there is some bad news as well In don't know but Binns is leaving and they may start flying ICE contracts which I guess they have to make money some how. But this is exiting!

Wow Binns got fired?
“Oh nooo! Anyway…”

"Retired as a result of the sale" from my outside looking in perspective.

CEO
 

Actually no because the CEO of CSI will take over everything so he is essentially fired I'm guessing

Everyone knew from day one that RB’s sole purpose was to shut the place down or get it sold. Mission accomplished. Retired? Fired? It doesn’t really matter since he did what he was hired to do and is no longer needed.

From what I hear it’s going to take a year plus to spool everything back up to full strength but they’re trying to bring 30 furloughs back as soon as the beginning of February. I’m guessing every FO employed today will be back in the left seat by the end of April or so, some sooner. MKE will be the only base initially. It’s been implied that if 100% of furloughs actually come back, they’ll still be short staffed. If that’s true, that’s a lot of crews at one small base. I predict either more bases or home based or some combination of the two by the end of 2026. I also predict (and hope I’m very wrong) that a new contract will include severely decreased hourly pay. The contract “ends” in October of 2026. I’m thinking if you want to get rich being a pilot, AW isn’t going to be the place to do it. I’m cautiously waiting to see how this post ages.

What kind of flying?

I’m guessing the vast majority of it will be DHS, HHS, DOD, FEMA. That’s the kind of stuff they currently sub contract out. They don’t have to sub contract as much anymore. I don’t know how long their federal contract is or whether it will be renewed or not.

Also the type of flying that generally dosent pay what it should

Yep. That’s why I’m predicting concessions in pay. If you’re a current or future AW pilot, don’t say you weren’t warned.

Well, taking a pay is better than unemployment.

Sad AWAC is now aligned with ICE and deportations, what an embarrassing way to end their legacy.

That’s why he’s called the closer

Binns is, and always has been a worthless airline manger. He has left a trail of airline BKs. His picture should be next to the definition of Incompetent in the dictionary.

starting today
 

I heard air whisky is starting today guys with the government flying! Anyone know anything?

deportation flights.

The flights have definitely started. They are definitely deportation flights. So far they’ve only been flown by management types who are probably not going to post to this forum so I really don’t know anything other than rumors. The pilot group has been given zero guidance on these flights. We don’t know what’s different, what’s the same, if there are any security assurances or protocols, etc. Communication certainly hasn’t improved under new ownership yet. We got a couple of introduction emails from two CSI bigwigs a week ago but that’s it so far. I guess we’re just expected to show up and figure it out as we go. I’m glad we still have jobs but I’m not getting warm, fuzzy feelings about the long term future.

I heard a Wisconsin flight on the radio today ,out over west Texas , around midland , El Paso area. First time I’ve heard that call sign on the radio in a long time.
Was it a deportation flight ??

I've enjoyed seeing them out and about for sports charters.

The Aerospace Journal
Harbor Diversified, Inc. has completed the sale of its regional airline subsidiary, Air Wisconsin Airlines LLC, along with a fleet of 25 Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft for approximately $113.2 million. This transaction marks Harbor Diversified’s exit from the airline operating business.[/color]
The assets were split between two buyers: Albuquerque-based CSI Aviation, Inc., which acquired 100% of Air Wisconsin's membership interests including the Part 121 air carrier operating certificate and 13 aircraft, and Associated Lease and Finance Group, LLC (ASL), which purchased the remaining 12 aircraft. CSI Aviation’s acquisition of the operating certificate allows it to expand its commercial and government flight operations without undergoing a lengthy FAA certification process.
The sale follows Air Wisconsin’s loss of its capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines in April 2025, which was the airline’s primary revenue source. The restructuring also involved workforce impacts in Wisconsin, with WARN notices issued to approximately 252 employees. ASL, specializing in aviation leasing and finance, may lease or dismantle the acquired aircraft for parts.
https://airpronews.com/2026/02/05/ha...113-2-million/

They were in central louisiana as well….in/out of the same location that Global, Eastern, DAC, Coast Guard, Big Horn, Columbian AF, and some others fly….ima say good chance that they were deportation flights.

I’d guess 80% or so of the flights are deportation flights or associated aircraft and personnel movement.

Posting for FO’s today on the company site. Are they straight 135 now?

They need lots of pilots now!, huge!, get your apps in boys and girls. 121, a company doing business for 60 years , It will soon be everyone's choice destination, the Phoenix has risen from the ashes

Until January 20th 2029 when Gavin Newsome is president and he stops all deportations. Then ZW is back to a rudderless ship with no business for an ancient and uncomfortable fleet.

follow global express’ business model! Fly the illegals into the US under the dems and under the Rs fly them all home! Hell you could charge an extra 10% to tell the Rs where you dropped them all off for the dems! Air Wisconsin will be the new destination carrier!!

Im just curious where robby is off to now

RB? He retired. Who is still left there?

He is laughing all the way to the bank

The new company took over, changing the culture, get apps in now!

I moved on from there

Is this like when chickenpox turns into shingles?

The culture hasn’t changed yet because there’s still enough of us left that are trying to resist the change but the CSI folks have some crazy ideas. They claim they’re pro union but they’ve never dealt with unions and our union is letting them get away with ignoring a bunch of contract stuff because JR thinks the new owners are the bees knees and that we have to build relationships with them and be nice to them since negotiations theoretically start in October.

good luck on pay and compensation. Those pay rates originally were subsidized by AA when they flew for AA.
I don’t see you keeping them now