I heard tonight that NWA Corp is buying IndyAir's assets, and that their (NWA's) junior pilots and furloughees will fly 76-100 seat RJs on that certificate.

Is it true? Is this the infamous 'NewCo' they've been talking about?

And lastly, what wages will they pay?

 

Yes, NWA bought the FlyI certificate tonight. Presumably that will be used for the NewCo/SJets operation.

 

Northwest takes step toward starting regional subsidiary

MINNEAPOLIS Northwest Airlines has bought the operating certificate of bankrupt FLY-i in a move to start a new subsidiary for regional flights.

Northwest will pay $2 million for the certificate. Buying someone else's certificate is easier than starting from scratch to meet a Federal Aviation Administration requirement.

FLY-i's bankruptcy judge in Delaware still must approve the sale.

Northwest is Michigan's biggest passenger air carrier and has a hub at Detroit Metro Airport.

Last week the airline reached a tentative agreement with pilots that allows it to start a subsidiary to fly planes with 51 to 76 seats.

FLY-i was the parent company of the Virginia-based Independence Air, which shut down Jan. 5.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

Is this going to be a considered some kind of scab company like Go jet or is it going to be more like American Eagle is to American?

 

How does this transaction directly affect you?

 

Northwest confirmed Friday that it has executed an agreement to purchase the operating certificate and related assets of Flyi, the parent of Independence Air, which ceased flying in January after failing to find a buyer.

The agreement is subject to certain conditions which have yet to be met.

Under the terms of the recent tentative agreement with the Northwest chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association, a Northwest Holdings subsidiary will have the opportunity to operate 76-seat aircraft. By purchasing the Flyi certificate, Northwest hopes to accelerate the development of this subsidiary, which will create job opportunities for furloughed Northwest pilots.

A hearing on the sale is scheduled for March 20 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del.

 

I DEMAND senority integration!!

 

I hate to say it, IndyAir, but I think NWA just wants your certificate, not your assets or employees. This business really stinks sometimes, but that's the way it is. If Skeen had been a little better at managing your costs, and I-Air was still operating, you'd have a fighting chance of getting a job or a seniority number at SJ/NewCo. But not now. Not with NWA furloughees getting first dibs on those jobs, and many junior DC-9 pilots displaced to them.

The next question is: What rates will they pay?

 

My understanding is that those aircraft will be flown by NWA furloughed pilots. However if they do hire from the street it should have flow thru to NWA! Seat limitation up to 76 do apply here.

 

Me, if I'm furloughed, I'll have a 2 -3 month vacation. One thing I have'nt seen yet mentioned is that anyone trained (Cpt and F/O) on the RJ's will be type rated. If you leave SJ (or whatever the name is) before 12 months of service, (IE: get recalled to NWA), YOU MUST REPAY THE COST OF THE TYPE RATING!

*^&%#$@! way in hell!

Nough said!