Horizon breaks out the same, dusty old playbook
 

Well, they have started to officially threaten us with loss of CRJs, as well as outsourcing of our flying.

I think it is time for us to just SLOW DOWN and consider our options...f




Hmm, I put the comma in the wrong place in that thread title...better get more coffee.

It's third down and 15. Ball on Horizon's 25. Pilot group is in field goal range with 3 time outs left. Pilot group had 3 trip plays in their play book.

1. Slow Down
2. No "Quick Turns"
3. Start writing up those beloved Q400's

What does this mean, are the CRJs just costing too much money compared to the Q4s? I've heard rumors of Horizon becoming a Q400 only fleet. And who is threatening who? How would this effect all the pilots at Horizon?

With only 21 CRJ's, the overhead required to support them is probably killing them on cost. With the loss of the Frontier deal, I suspected they'd be going sooner or later anyway.

I'm not sure I understand what the group is trying to get out of the deal. Is there pressure from management to take pay concessions?

Is collective bargaining power not working?

From what I understood, it was actually a good deal for Horizon because they didn't really need the CRJs while Frontier was using them and it provided a income they could count on. Then when Frontier and Horizon mutually ended the agreement, I think Horizon actually wanted them back and has more use for them now. Those are my un-informed thoughts and my only source is a 7-8 year Horizon Captain I talked with.

Obviously the financial benefits of Horizon going from a three type fleet (subleasing up to 16 Q200s to CommutAir and should be Q200 free by early 2009) to a two aircraft fleet will be nice. But as LaMar mentioned a couple times during the last time he gave a presentation, there really is a chance Horizon will become a 1 type fleet with 48 Q400s by August 2009.

It seems smart financially on paper, but I'm curious how this would change things from a pilot's perspective at Horizon?...

It seems smart finacially except for the fact that the Q4 is mostly responsible for 18+% rise in unscheduled mx costs, it continues to have reliability issues, and not to forget the little landing gear issue. Error Group is at it again...:confused:

Interesting

Whoops, I just noticed the response to my original post. I NEVER meant to imply any kind of job action should be undertaken. Any inference otherwise is not my responsibility. That's not my style. I just meant that we as a pilot group can get all riled up and bickering amongst ourselves, when we should be pausing to think about the best LEGAL way to improve our lot.

290 leaves at the end of this month. I have an appointment at the Koolaid factory in the middle of April. Pinneo, Gene and everyone else will be there to tell us about the pay cut that we need to take.
Sarcastic: I need to take a paycut I got over $1,800 last month, with the house payment, car payment and student loans, I only lost $300 bucks. What a bunch of BS.

I was told I need to ENJOY my preflights more!!

Well, for one thing, it would instantly cut the pilot payroll for by about 20% when all the jet pilots get displaced back to the Q400. Management could eliminate the pay scale unilaterally because there would be no jets to fly and, as a result, no pilots eligible for the jet pay scale.

And he was probably correct when oil was $40 a barrel. At $110 a barrel, QX cannot afford to fly the RJ, even a 70 seater. Mike Boyd is right, RJs are dead. Its only a matter of time before they're completely replaced by either Tprops or Ejets.

The one entity you can't lie to is the SEC. And this plan has already been outlined in ALK 8k and 10k SEC reports.

Pay for the jet guys would drop. However, the guys displaced from the RJ to the Q will be very senior. And more flying means better lines. So, there may be a slight silver lining in the thunderheads.

Now, now, you were just told you need to APPEAR to be enjoying them...! Somebody needs to post that line from that newsletter.

I tossed my copy. Now I wish I hadnt. LMAOO

Ill get my hands on one soon. Im sure someone on Leave wont be needing it.

Maybe tech pubs has one.

Also at what point to I need to get off of my cell phone? I cant find that in the FOM.:p

...it's plain and simple...we're all screwed!!!

If she thought the schedule was bad before tell her to wait until you pick up that night job at McD's just to pay the heat.

For those of you with QX, what do you think of a exchange deal with Bombardier to aquire CRJ-1000 for the CR7? Of course this would require AAG to pay a little for the planes and Bonbardier have a home for the used -700. But just a idea I was thinking up when talking to a CR7 Captain in SFO. This way AAG doesn't have to bring in a outside company for the 100 seat flying. Personally I'm fried at the thought Air Group is even considering bringing in another airline.

ASSFO

100 seat jets - right on. THERE MUST BE A NEW CONTRACT AND PAYSCALE!!! The company came up to one of the main guys and said that they wanted cjr900. He said great but we need a new contract and a new pay scale. The comapny said, "nope on both but you will look great in the longer shinny jet."
I believe that if they outsource our 100 seat flying that whatever airline that would do that would get major hell fro AS and QX. The believe that is only a threat. Anything bigger than 100 seats belong at a major.
Now I think that we will lose some RJ's and get more Q400. Maybe we wont lose all RJ or we may get 1000 but i believe that the jets will be reduced in the QX system. If the RJ's go away that would limit any growth chances.

We are starting Flagstaff - LAX in the end of June.

I am glad I left the ERROR group after 8 years. It never changes with Pinhead and company, hey hows' Art Thomas, still a jackass?

...get ready, there will be more as the fight rages on...:mad:

Dont know Art Thomas? Although I dont ever pay much attention to people. I've met Jeff Pinneo twice and both times I turn to the captain and am like who is this guy?;)

I've heard the same rumor about the CRJ 1000 but again to comes back that they want us to take a pay cut not a pay raise. The RJ's willl be gone but I only hope that they replace them with Q400's If they dont I might be looking for a new home by force.

It's not in there. But an FO got violated by mr faa as he observed the individual doing the walkaround with a cell phone planted in his ear. So I guess you hafta watch out for the Feds, MVPs, oil leaks, fuel leaks, hydraulic leaks, dogs taking a leak on your tire,Spike, the POrt of Portland, GeHaad, and gear that may or may not retract. What was I doing again?

check6 check your pm inbox

Look harder. I would be REALLY surprised if it didn't say that they needed to be off prior to engine start...