Though I haven't seen concrete evidence, I've also heard the same rumor as mentioned above by Pilotrob (PSA offer to fly the 900s cheaper).

Several months ago the Mesa pilots were approached by management to take a small concession as a token to our creditors and USAirways... as management put it, to show that we're all carrying part of the burden. MAG's ALPA immediately shot down any notion of taking concessions as a means to secure a contract... or even to help preserve our existing contract with USAirways. I think some people on this board do not recognize that the Mesa pilots are saying Enough Is Enough, even after other "reputable" regionals have done just the opposite. In fact, such actions may just be part of the reason Mesa lost a large portion of flying with United in recent months... not to mention Delta.

As far as PSA goes... please remember, that pilots cannot be held totally responsible for what their management may attempt to do. If PSA management approached USAirways, that does not necessarily mean that the pilot group would have approved such measures, if it came down to concessions. All you can hope is that the pilot group would try their best to hold their ground to attemp to stop the downward spiral. This also holds true with the Mesa pilots, as they recently demonstrated.

 

Fellow airline pilots,

Mainline, wholly-owned, and outsourced pilot groups are all victims of a well orchestrated tried-and-true whipsaw campaign. It is quite pitiful to witness the blame game and comparison of obviously inadequate payscales. Each pilot group has battled for gains. Some have fought tougher opponents and small gains have been made. Some pay is a couple dollars better at one pilot group than another. Some have stronger scope, others have more days off or slightly better schedules. Instead of falling into the intended trap, try to rise above blaming your fellow victims. Try to focus your energy on the airline managements that are truly responsible for placing everyone in the predicament we find ourselves in. Seek ways to prevent the whipsaw. Stop the mechanisms that allow managements to shift flying from cheapest to cheapest contract. Stop being the angry victims lashing out at the closest and most convenient target (your fellow pilot). Try to be proactive instead of reactive. Hoping management will "give" your pilot group flying that another pilot group is presently covering does nothing to prevent that flying from being "given" to the next lowest bidder over and over, repeat. Get involved in improving your chosen profession or stand to the side and take cheap shots at your fellow victims, your choice.

winglet

 

winglet, i agree, but i have heard this speech so many times, and throughout so many contracts. I guess we should all keep voting no on contracts. The problems started way before i started my career. U can blame the weaking off unions from the early 80's, bush stating there will not be an airline strike on my watch! Or the major airline pilots and alpa agreeing on these scopes in the first place. On and on. Now us regional pilots fly more than mainline. It has got out of control, but who to blame and what to do are obviously not that simple!

 

Winglet, any chance that Mesa's new contract with LCC will include the requirement to acquire PDT and or PSA as a condition of the contract? Delta lent Transtates the funds to buy Compass, so there is a way. Have you heard anything?

 

and a big hypothetical, if this happens, how would the integration of pilot seniority b done. Is this a one for one, mesas furloughs come back, etc?

 

Everyone is ALPA so would be there merger policy. just outa curiosity did PSA and PDT have to pay into a merger fund?

 

The US Trustee has filed objection to request of Mesa's lawyers for payment from Jan.-Apr.

The root of the objection stems from Mesa's counsel asking for payment ahead of 5 million in claims and 52 million unrestricted cash at the end of June.

 

In June Mesa lawyers tried to make a $57 million claim?! Mesa will be more desperate than ever without quality legal representation. Airways gonna cover that?

Is it possible for an airline to sue it's way out of bankruptcy?

 

To clarify the total amount asked of the lawyers is 5 million total.
The trustee objects to allowing any of this to be paid due to MAG not having a POR on file and 5 million in claims made againsit MAG by creditors. That amount goes to 5 billion in aggergate once the plane leases are factored in. As of the end of June MAG reported 52 million in cash on hand.

The trustee also objects to the lawyers spending more than nessicary on top line hotels, first class air fare and overtime meals.

Would you want lawyers robbing the kettle ahead of the creditors, which BK is designed to protect.

 

Or you get the "regional airline" lawyers who will work for cheap, sleep on a couch in the crew room, and eat vending machine food.

Pay the lawyers. First. But, restrictions should have been placed on them when hired as to how much the billing would be. Maybe it's JO's cronies cashing in????