NAA shutdown
 

Did North American shutdown today?

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.

Its more likely the IAD operation will be sold.

NAA shutdown
 

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

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…

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 ****.

NCR - I have done the Afgan Airbridge flying. I know exactly what they consist of.

Fair enough.

Cost could be an issue. Last time I heard talk of a clearance, it was over
$20K.

Try less than 2000

If you say so. The last one I was involved with, involved interviews and ten year backround check, $2000 would be cheap!

Over the last few hours (since the first post was made about this subject) I'm seeing data that indicates this background check is north of 10K and 3-12 months for it to be processed. Just saying.

So I'm thinking cloudroller's source is either misinformed or has an axe to grind.

Cloudroller, you're wrong. Its not just a background check nor is it special training. It has to do with government clearances which are lengthy and expensive. Everyone at NAA had the opportunity to bid IAD when it opened. Those who didn't missed the boat.

That ship has now sailed. No one got "sold out". They're simply not qualified to do the flying. NAA has furloughed out of seniority before and no one said boo about it then.

Wrong again, Ace. $20 - $30K. I've been passed over for jobs because the companies didn't want to pony up that much dough.

You might consider this:

"I would rather remain silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt." - A. Lincoln

Cloudy has a axe to grind...guess he didn't bid IAD when he had the chance.

Correct on both counts, Sir.

Fagrat - I don't work for NAA. But I have many friends that do. Inculding management pilots that are ex ATA. The background check took less than a week and were less than 2000$. They furloughed everyone at JFK. Inculding one very sr, ca who routinely flew open time out of IAD. The MEC chairman sold out the pilots. When IAD was an unknown to that group, the MEC chair and some of the guys on the negotiating com bid IAD only after receiving inside info from the ex DO / Vp of flight ops. You can ask anyone who was JFK based.

There has not been a base bid for IAD. And there are no plans for one. Like I said there are a few guys that were JFK based who are already qualified to fly IAD who got furloughed.

The AECOM contract pays over 1 million a week. They were shut down when Ceberus pulled financing and raided the bank accounts. NAA reached an agreement with Ceberus to keep AECOM alive and Ceberus would fund the accounts that were raided.

I know a lot more info than you think.

Fixed it for you:rolleyes:

From the latest ALPA fastread

The past week and a half has brought uncertainty, change, and furloughs to the North American (NAA) pilot group. NAA’s parent company, Global Aviation Holdings, defaulted on loan commitments in bankruptcy to its main financier, Cerberus Capital Management. Cerberus decided to cease operations of World Airways, NAA’s sister company, on March 27. The most critical development from this fluid situation for NAA was the March 31 furlough of the JFK-based pilots, leaving only the IAD-based pilots to service one customer for the airline.

No notice was given of the furloughs prior to the employee announcement. Management violated the pilots’ collective bargaining agreement by furloughing out of seniority and discontinuing insurance benefits, among other violations. The MEC has been working with ALPA advisors from the Representation and Legal departments, as well as outside bankruptcy counsel, to protect the contractual and legal rights of NAA pilots while the immediate focus is on the survival of the company and maintaining pilot jobs. The MEC remains hopeful that management will be able to secure funding or find a buyer to sustain the operation.

Global Aviation Holdings has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization since November 2013. This is the second round of bankruptcy reorganization for Global in two years.

Of your 73 posts more than half are about NAA. If you don't work here, you sound like you want too

If anybody at NAA had UHC insurance claims processed in Feb or March or in process from the last 4 months or so, you are on the hook for the cost as UHC didn't collect enough cash from NAA to foot the bill. Go to myuhc.com and look for yourself if you don't believe.

You idiots who are flying for free with no insurance and out of seniority need a good mental health evaluation, to bad you are without insurance…

GO ALPA! we will do anything for the promise of a bottom feeder paycheck!

Maybe it's you.....I show I had coverage until 3/31 AND all claims up to then have been paid.

Coverage until 3/31 one claim pending from 3/27. I think its you.

Or he's just a troll.

Mine was covered too! Hmm

I hear that the Dulles operation has been sold to Omni. Good news or bad?

Depends what side of the fence you are on. Again its sad what GAL has done to three airlines. Omni takes over sometime in the beginning of May.

Bad very bad!!

for who ? bad for NAA yes, ended sooner then some thought
good for Omni - more business

It's far from a done deal. They must get approval from the bankruptcy court and there are some big players against the deal.

Face it. World is dead. NAA is gone. Omni got the IAD operation. The good news is the regionals can't hire fast enough. You've got a real shot at a new job there, JJP.

Who would that be? Do tell....

Big companies (ILFC, GECAS, the owner of the building at PTC, etc.) that haven't been paid everything that they are owed since the bankruptcy filing. Cerberus wants 95% of the proceeds and these companies want to be paid out of the proceeds. The judge refused to sign off on the deal without a hearing. Check it out with your union of choice or look at the filings online.

You don't understand the power and networks of the owner of Omni. He's a very business savvy and well connected individual. I'm sure the financial package proposed was enough to satisfy the debtors and the rest is the holding company of world and NAA problem.

On a good note don't the NAA and world pilots get first look for 24 months?

"Ohhh Goodie, first look at Omni?" That was a quote from an ex-NAA guy here at Atlas, last nite. Not sure how the contracts and pay compare. The word is that World guys/gals are getting a priority shot at Atlas, maybe worthwhile effort for the NAA guys/gals. Sounds like hiring is back onspeed.

World was Teamsters.