Big_BoB

Rumor has it that Skywest is getting ready to move ASA on that flying of the 69 jets. After all Skywest did fly those EMB-120 for CAL not to long ago.

love2fly

Just another note, but did anyone else notice that xjt's stock dropped 21% yesterday and is down another 2% today. Ouch

ERJ135

Just curious too, but why are Mesa pilots considered to have scabbed out the majority of regional industry. What they do?

Superpilot92

Its what they have not done. XJET worked hard to get a good contract and livable wages only to get cut down by a low ball company that has shiatty work rules and a shiatty contract. The pay looks like its not that far off but when you look at soft pay time and contractual pay issues they dont even compare. When one company strives to make this job better that company just gets punched in the gut by some other company that undercuts them only because they are cheaper. Look at what happened to Comair. They fought hard to get better pay only to get shot down asap.

love2fly

its not what they do, but what they don't do.

EFIS COMP MON

Superpilot's right...and I hope (and I feel I'm speaking on the bahalf of all Mesa pilots) that Mesa doesn't get a SINGLE plane at the expense of XJT. None of us in the trenches want that...but I'm sure JO is licking his chops at the opportunity.

If it's not Mesa that gets that flying, it will be CHQ, or TSA, or SkyWest...or...heck, you name it. CAL's not, at least at this point, in the dire straits that Delta is, or NWA, but they're not that far from it. Delta simply couldn't afford Comair when they went into BK.

I think that's what's so unfortunate about the regional equation right now...we all, as regional pilots, are intent on blaming each other for our CEO's doing what they do. But ultimately, it's the parent companies (such as CAL, NWA, Delta, etc) who are demanding lower rates so they can sustain themselves in tough times. If it's not Mesa, or CHQ, or anyone else who agrees to fly for cheaper, they'd probably farm it out to some third-world carrier (ala like all the tech jobs are being outsourced overseas). I have many, many friends in the IT field that got layed off due to their companies being close to bankruptcy and their jobs being farmed out to cheaper labor in places like India. Is that possible in this case...no. But if it were, they'd have done it a long time ago.

It's a shame. I really don't know how this is all going to end. I just hope Mesa stays away from this one...please JO, STAY AWAY!!!!

Future Furlough

I love how main line is blaming regionals for their profit woes. They farm off a ton of domestic flying to the regionals (to save money) and then tell them to do it for less (just in case anyone is making a living wage). It's a race to the bottom with survival of the sh*ttiest. So long as ALPA is nothing but a bunch of little fiefdoms we'll spend all of our time fighting for the scraps. At some time we need to make a stand as a pilot group and say "enough".

...turn out the lights

Superpilot92

Agreed!!!!!!

STILL GROUNDED

I find it interesting how everyone is willing to blame Mesa pilots and hope that they don't get the work. This is the kind of crap that divides people who should be standing together.

Remember the last time you went to Jiffy Lube to get your oil changed? Why weren't you thinking about the guy who was going to charge you the most and give him the work. It had to be better oil, he had to have better working conditions why not pay him more.

I am with everyone on the fact that things are not good but someone mentioned that we all do what we have to do to survive. You get your time where ever you can, you upgrade as soon as possible so you can move on to greener pastures. So to say something like Mesa pilots are scabs or I hope that they don't get hired at majors because they worked for Mesa, think about the guy with the corner garage you put out of business by going to Jiffy Lube because it was cheaper.

Its a cycle of business, I know most of you guys talking about the regional are in your 20's maybe early 20's and think you have seen the way the world works, trust me I, was there as well. I am 35 and only now realize that I still don't get it yet.

But the next time you drive by, look at that corner gas station that was closed because the “little guy” could not compete with the convenience store selling gas cheaper. Its not all that different.

Compete or die on the vine. People at Express Jet new this was coming, the pilots I know did anyway, like someone said if you did not see this coming you need to poke your head up and look around.

Just remember the guy your bashing may be on the hiring board when you take your application in to that "major airline", so be sure to whine about mesa pilots at the interview. There is a chance you may be talking to one.

Everything is changing, what do you think is going to happen when Virgin America and Skybus open their doors, the people at SWA and AirTran and JetBlue are going to feel the same heat. If you started an airline carrier to make a multiple 6 figure salary by working 10 days a month you may want to reconsider your aviation degree.

Enough about that, Happy New Years everyone, make it a safe one.