FlyingKat

Calls for the Dec 5th class are out. I got mine Friday. Don't know what aircraft or where the training will be. Training department is scheduled to move from Nonconnah to One Commerce Square sometime in December. So it wouldn't surpise me if this class ends up in MSP as well.

Some company news from this week:

There will be a north training campus in MSP and a south training campus in MEM. New hire classes will be conducted at both.

The start of the Mesaba fenced operation has been moved back to Jan 4.

Pinnacle has hired an outside consultant to study the company to find ways to streamline operations and eliminate duplication. One of Menke's big priorities is to standardize procedures across the company to create one common culture.

Dont be suprised if there aren't some big changes in '12 invovling consolidation of operations and training to eliminate costs.

Fly782

Dont say the F word...

IlliniPilot99

[QUOTE=FlyingKat;1080674]Calls for the Dec 5th class are out. I got mine Friday. Don't know what aircraft or where the training will be. QUOTE]


You will be on the Saab.

If you get the Q, its non standard situation where someone in the company didn't take the award to transition. (instructors words)

All new hires from now on go to the Saab! you are seat locked for 1 year...unless the company needs you somewhere else

I take my checkride Tuesday for the Saab...so far its badass

anyone else have any questions...PM me (don't expect a response till friday-ish)

FlyingKat

Don't see that happening. I just hope we can get where we are properly staffed in '12. But I wouldn't be surprised if the company doesn't move everything on one certificate. Running two certificates creates administrative duplication, extra training, and FAR issues that increase costs relative to operating on one certificate. The only way I see us continuing on two certificates would be if we got a contract that creates scope problems with the 900s (I.E. the much rumored RFP by AA for turboprop flying). Outside of that I just can't see us continuing to spend the extra money for two certificates when the company is losing money, unless there is a contractual or FAR problem.

Right now the company has its hands full with the move to One Commerce Square, Pilot Staffing, and the Mesaba Fence. Once those issues are cleared up in the first part of 2012, I think you will see some attention paid to the issue of running two certificates.

I think 2012 will be an interesting year for Pinnacle with lots of changes, but once Menke gets his program implemented this will be the place to be in the future.

FlyingKat

[QUOTE=IlliniPilot99;1080765]With all the guys bidding the Q in 11-09 I was hoping for the Saab. The Q is a great aircraft, but I want to hold a line as quickly as possible.

Fly782

Well thats good to hear. I do agree they should make it one certificate, but not if it complicates things more and makes us less competitve for more flying.

I have heard rumblings of the AA deal but thats it really, I was under the impression we cannot do it beause of AAs scope... So are we able to?

FlyingKat

What I've heard is we can do it, but I know AA's scope does not allow any jets with more than 50 seats on the certificate. That is why Republic had to buy Shuttle and put the 170s on that certificate. APA was fining Chautauqua (I heard the amount was $ 30,000) for every day the 170 was on the CHQ certificate.

I think the one certificate would be a good thing for the company as it would make us more profitable. If needed for a contract, you could always start a second certificate.

This is JMO, but with everything going on right now I just don't see the company getting into the two certificate issue until sometime next year. But Menke really addressed the need to control costs within the company in his conference call Friday, so I think this will be a big issue for us in 2012. If you are a company employee, I would really encourage you to listen to his conference call from last Friday. It had a lot of good information in it.

block30

Hey congrats on the job! What was your background? I am really surprised we are getting folks with over 1000/100.

So were all the remaning Pinnacle CRJ 200 spots filled through the integration?

FlyingKat

Last I heard all of the CRJ 200 spots are full with transfers through sometime in summer 2012. Realistically from now on all the newhires will probably go to the Saab and the Q. Everything pays the same for the first year, but the CRJ pays more starting on year 2. Everyone from the last couple of Pinnacle classes has been displaced to the Q or the Saab. Most have gone to the Q.

Luv2Rotate

The pay from the CRJ 200 and Q400 are the same rate once the contract matures Example.... With my anniversary/pay bump with contract, I am looking at 6.00hr pay increase each year to 2014 (the year contract matures). The guys displaced from the CRJ to Q400 are spring/summer 2011 hires and will be on reserve.