fireman0174

Northwest Pushes To Unveil Subsidiary 'Compass' In June
By Lori Ranson/Aviation Daily
03/29/2006 08:50:10 AM

Northwest is pressing for a June launch of its new subsidiary, Compass, and plans to hand either Bombardier or Embraer a new aircraft order to supply 76-seat planes for the airline in April.

The carrier outlined the plans for Compass, formerly dubbed Newco, in a filing with the U.S. Transportation Dept. after buying FLYi's operating certificate for $2 million.

Northwest is asking authorities for swift approval of the transfer of the certificate from FLYi subsidiary Independence Air to Compass to start flights in June from a base at Washington Dulles Airport with a single CRJ-200 that might "be sourced from" aircraft formerly flown by Independence.

Compass is also employing Independence's directors of maintenance, safety, operations and its chief pilot and chief inspector, noting that local FAA personnel have worked closely with those individuals. Taking that into account, Northwest said, "It is believed that the issuance to Compass of operating authority equivalent to that held by Independence Air will be obtained in a minimum amount of time."

Northwest wants to launch daily nonstop flights on Compass in June from Dulles to Minneapolis/St. Paul. The airline is targeting placing 76-seat planes into service during the first full year of operations, "under a tentative growth plan forecasting operation of at least 36 such aircraft in domestic markets in five years." The carrier noted those planes are replacing Avro RJs flown by partner Mesaba.

If Compass secures all the pertinent regulatory approvals, the carrier wants to take delivery of larger planes, starting in March 2007. "These aircraft will be the Bombardier CRJ-900 and/or the Embraer 175," Northwest said. "Final selection is expected to be made in April 2006." Compass would fly the -900s with 12 first-class seats and 64 in coach, while the Embraer 175s would be configured for 11 first-class seats and 64 in coach class.

Northwest is drawing from its own management to run Compass. Former US Airways executive and current Northwest CFO Neal Cohen is Compass's CEO. Dan McDonald, current VP-finance and fleet planning at Northwest is Compass's senior VP-business development. The Compass team is rounded out with VP and Secretary Mike Miller, who currently is Northwest's VP-law and secretary.

Compass is receiving $4 million in capital from Northwest. Projected operating expenses at startup are about $1.1 million, growing to about $14 million during the first year of operations.

Previously, Northwest said furloughed mainline pilots would have first rights to jobs at the subsidiary on a separate seniority list (DAILY, March 8).

Packer Backer

Yeah, hire the same boobs that ran a good airline into the ground in a year and a half. That is a good business plan. Maybe they can seek more concessions from NW pilots after these guys spend the next year and a half draining money from NW in their Keystone cops routine trying to get Compass up and running.

IronWalt

Another gaggle of ALPA backed GiveAway Goombas have given away mainline flying to the regionals out of FEAR FOR THEIR JOBS!!!!!! So the reactiion is to toss away the lower level jobs in hopes that management wont ask for more.
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"If Compass secures all the pertinent regulatory approvals, the carrier wants to take delivery of larger planes, starting in March 2007. "These aircraft will be the Bombardier CRJ-900 and/or the Embraer 175," Northwest said. "Final selection is expected to be made in April 2006." Compass would fly the -900s with 12 first-class seats and 64 in coach, while the Embraer 175s would be configured for 11 first-class seats and 64 in coach class."
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Looks like the Northwest MEC is as weak and scared as the USAIRWAYS MEC. Nice going ALPA

ryane946

This may be the first time I have ever said this in my life, but management at Northwest are crooks!

Now I see the trick up their sleeve. I originally thought the 76 seat compromise would limit Northwest to 50 and 70 seat RJ's. That would not really infringe on a reasonable scope for Northwest pilots. But now NWA is going to take 90 seat regional jets and configure them with first class seats!!!
That's terrible. Pilots should not receive regional pay for flying 90 seat jets. This needs to be voted down. 70 seats NEEDS to be the limit at the regional level, or else this profession WILL go to hell. It is still a pretty decent profession, but you guys need to vote down this contract.

ERJ135

So who is going to be flying these new planes? NW furloughs?

nwa757

Why is all of this going forward if the pilot group haven't yet voted on the TA? I thought that was supposed to happen on April 1st. Is management assuming that it will be approved?

The 90 seat category is important to NWA because of all the small midwest markets- the DC-9 is too big and the CRJ200 is too small. Nonetheless, something doesn't seem right here.

RockBottom

AMEN. This whole scheme seems like one big possum turd.

Space Monkey

Meanwhile all of us here in the not so wonderful world of 9E are starting to wonder since the new carrier is already operating a CRJ 200. As I remember being told the new carrier was to operate 190 size aircraft while the we would be able to keep our 50s and possible see CRJ 705's. But there again the TA hasnt been voted in yet and if I were a Mainline pilot I would be PI$$ED right now. Kinda begs the question if this is the begining of the end? Also with the new carrier getting 50's and no other flying (Northwest or otherwise) for 9E will this soon be the end for us?

captjns

ALPA should change their name to ALPO with a dog dish as their logo.

Packer Backer

Basically they are telling you that they are going to do whatever they want, contract or not. They are saying that if you don't vote in this TA, we'll just 1113 your contract and do it anyway. They are betting you won't strike. Why would they think that? Because Alpa has folded on every bluff at every other airline and has no credibility. Somebody is going to have to sack up and bring back credibility to the "strike" threat.