May 1, 2014

Message from the Chairman

Fellow Eagle Pilots:

It has now been just over a month since the TA ratification failed. I know that many of you are wondering what will happen now, so I'd like to provide an overview of what we know and also what we can anticipate. Much of this information is based on statements the company has made both publicly and to our group.

The company has made it clear that Eagle intends to park our 59 EMB 140's and transfer our 47 CRJ 700's to another carrier. We don't know what that drawdown timetable looks like, but we do know:

· We will need about 47% fewer pilots than we have on our list today

· We don't have any aircraft to replace those we will lose

· Anticipate a halt on any upgrades

· This would require a significant displacement bid including downgrades

· There will be serious questions on the viability of our current domiciles

· We have been advised that a displacement bid will be out shortly

· The company may choose to keep all four bases open, but it's difficult to imagine how well that will work with only 118 aircraft

AAG executives indicated last week that they are in the final stages of placing the EMB 175's intended to re-fleet us on another property. We have not been advised who will receive the aircraft. It has been suggested that 20 will go to a carrier that can begin taking delivery early next year, and another 20 will go to a different carrier with deliveries taking place sometime later. If this is true we will not have any expectations, based on AAG's current aircraft orders, of being offered any new aircraft for about four years.

American Airlines has been hiring 45-50 pilots per month for most of 2014. They expect that number to continue for the rest of the year, but staffing needs are currently being re-evaluated. There is a possibility the classes will get smaller. The company is still withholding pilots below the 50% required by the 824 award. We have an outstanding grievance regarding this dispute that should yield a ruling within the next six months.

SkyWest Airlines is beginning to operate as American Eagle out of ORD with CRJ 200s. We've been told that this is due to CHQ drawing down their American Connection flying.

There is a rumor floating around that we are working on a merge with Piedmont. There is absolutely no truth to it. We have been in contact with the ALPA Piedmont leadership regarding the current bargaining environment, but there have not been any discussions about merging. The Piedmont chairman advised their pilot group that they will be meeting with company executives next week to discuss re-fleeting options.

Our CEO, Doug Parker, recently stated that we deserve competitive compensation and that employees need to be given the tools they need in order to succeed as a carrier. It is heartening to hear this from the top leadership, but we see no justification for further concessions so soon after ratifying the steep cuts in the bankruptcy agreement.

The tools we need for success are new aircraft to replace the ones being parked. We are prepared to fly those aircraft with the same unparalleled professionalism and safety that have made us a top tier airline. We are not prepared to fly them for wages that will quickly fall behind our peers doing the same job. No pilot that has reached the level of sitting in our cockpits should be paid near the federal poverty level. We are not willing to lock those wages into an agreement that cannot be renegotiated for ten years. We are not willing to have our compensation limited if the flow-through stops again.

This begs the question of what we are willing to do. You have made it clear that we are committed to the success of our carrier. We are prepared to join with company executives to achieve a solution that we can both support and be proud of.

Currently the future looks very bleak. We stand ready to improve that outlook.

Fly safe.



MEC Chairman


Well now, that's depressing.

 

Yeah, pretty ugly. I think the plan has changed since Mason outlined the old plan. I hope everyone finds jobs at career carriers before this really hits the fan.

On the other hand the MEC may be trying to artificially inflate attrition by painting a very bad picture in order to force AAG's hand. Only time will tell.

 

Quite possibly one of the worst MECs in the history of the commuters.

 

The MEC supported the pilot's will. They did what the MEC is supposed to do as elected representatives. If they had gone against the pilot group and pushed the TA through then I would say they were a bad MEC. The last MEC was a travesty and it would take a lot to top team tony as worst MEC in the history of the commuters.

 

You really are a troll!

This is the best MEC ever. They stand by the pilots and against management.

We are not bending for airplanes.

 

You cannot bend if you don't have a job.

 

This is what every one wanted right? If this is true we are f@&ked. We held the line, now we are Eastern Airlines. We hated are job so much we are willing to work for first year pay at another rj job. It was a no win game. Take the hit or fined a different job. Top guys do not care they are leaving, bottom guys do not care they have no sonority to loose. Now you got what you want. Like rats deserting a ship.

 

If we end up not having a job, that is the fault of our greedy management and not at all of our MEC. This MEC represents the pilots and also doesn't sell anything. They present the facts (the good, the bad and the ugly) and allow us to decide.

 

THIS. Let's not get our panties in a bunch quite yet. This MEC knows what they are doing and this sounds a lot like the communication the day after they voted the TA down the first time. AAG would be really foolish to let 2500 pilots go in this environment.

 

Are you claiming aag is smart enough to realize that?