Latest Pinnacle Negotiations update
 

Compensation and scope are being adressed. The union has asked to negotiate a fence with the colgan pilots, its probably going to go to a mediator. The March 31st deadline before NWA can take planes away at a rate of 3 per month if we dont have a contract is 11 days away, it looks like we are going to see if NWA is bluffing or not. Even if we lose those 17 planes, that would probably just bring us back to normal staffing. My question is, where would NWA even put those planes. This contract is all going to depend on how this week of talks go. I believe if they can come to an understanding this week, the contract will be done before the middle of April. IF they hit a road block, it could be a long time.
We will know if Pinnacle is slotted to get some flying in the near future becuase when Pinnacle management needs a contract for something, they will get one and that could be good for us pilots in the next couple of weeks.

What do you mean - a fence between PNCL and Colgan pilots?

-LAFF

Good luck.

ALPA has sent the cards to Colgan... Everything looks positive so we will see what pans out.

a fence between us......2 months ago they wanted total integration and now they want fences? what gives?

a fence between the flying, ie not taking pinnacle jets and moving them to colgan pilots to fly... settle down there eager beaver. and yes i believe that nwa is bluffing. i would guess that our management themselves through that in there to get things moving because they know they have some other deals working and if we knew we were going to grow and get more flying then anything they came to the table with would be unacceptable. I feel that they know they need pilots to grow and that if they want to recruit pilots they need to have a good contract, and i think that is exactly what we are going to get.

Answer = MESA :D

Personally I want more than a fence....(and I'm sure many other 9E pilots agree with me on this one) Hel! I want a full on scope anything 36 seats or more and or jet aircraft are to be flown ONLY by 9E PILOTS.....

Two letters short. "BA":cool:

Yeah, that's a good way to handle it, screw everyone else!

How about just getting the pinnacle does all jets, colgan does all props, like they've stated but haven't committed to in writing? That would be fair for everyone.

I bet those ERJs would like sweet in the NWA paint scheme, who knows maybe some 145xr's:eek:

Is this a little monkey with a dream? :D

Express Jet with red tails?

Well as for screw everyone else.... Don't forget who bought who..... Also management keeps commiting to buy more Q400's for them and in this case the additional 400's are comming from 9E profits that I and all my fellow 9E pilots have worked out bal!s of to make these last few years and have not seen any benefits from. Now if the Colgan pilots want to join ALPA and join our seniority list then fine so be it. But in the mean time I say screw'em all flying above 36 seats goes to 9E and all jets go to 9E end of story.

Ya but the problem is that I dont think NWA has any intention of taking on anymore 50 seat flying hell they're up to 141 of the 50 seaters. I dont think they want any more. The focus now seems to be on bigger RJ's mainly 175's and 900's.

ah...so the fence would imply that Colgan would be Regional operator for a regional carrier.

So you expect a group of pilots to vote in a group to represent them that states that its primary goal is to limit their growth to only the planes they presently fly? That's just stupid. Give them time. The cards are in the mail and I'm positive it will pass. But with talk like yours you could scare some people as to what an ALPA vote could bring (or take away).

Further, while PNCL is providing the financing, lest you forget, Colgan holds the contract for the flying. Those shiny 400's wouldn't do 9E any good without anyone to fly them for. Colgan got that contract because of their current relationship with CO in spite of not being the lowest bidder.

Well my fellow 9E pilot is a little blunt, but not too far off the idea of the OVERALL picture. Colgan is a great group that has been started and profitable at the nitch market. PNCL bought them for their ability to be in a nitch market. The Q400's are a step in the bigger direction, but nonetheless the company is trying to fill a nitch with them. I personally hope Colgan goes ALPA- why? whipsaw goes away WITHIN the company! Now, what about the fact that its 2 pilot groups/both ALPA, under one "holding company". Well their is BigSky/Mesaba with MAIR (lets steer clear of the BS that played out with mesaba) that has 2 groups under one common goal. New pilots can apply to PNCL or Colgan, both are under one group of management heads (or tails..hehe) but serve their own markets for the overall health of the company. Does it bother me that the hard work of 9E pilots is being passed over to Colgan?- Kinda, but a good contract would show alot towards the pilot group, and Colgan going ALPA would show alot of 'thanks' to the PNCL guys. This situation pops in my head like parents brining home a second kid (Colgan). The current child (PNCL) was accustomed to being the one and only and doesnt wanna share the toys. But both learn to get along by watching each other's back and going through life respectfully doing their different activities.

Good luck with the negotiations, guys! Don't let those snakes upstairs wrangle you into a substandard contract just because of a deadline with NWA.

dont worry man, we didn't let the other 5 deadlines trick us into signing the last best and final offer!!

HEHE...... last, best and final offer. :D What a joke that was.

Is Clive Seal still over there? Out of all the loons in mgmt there, he was probably the only one who commanded more than an ounce of respect.

they actually put him in control of negotiations and things are finally getting somewhere. i think we only have 2 sections left to ta

SOOO....what's goin' on with the contract negs?? Getting closer. Week's almost up.

we will see. we have a crew room update with our mec president this thursday,, not sure what will come out of it though,, it has gotten a little to quiet over here

Good luck, I wish you well!! :(