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Mesaba losing 10 Saabs and possible Chapt 11

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Mesaba losing 10 Saabs and possible Chapt 11

Old 10-07-2005, 01:47 PM
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Unhappy Mesaba losing 10 Saabs and possible Chapt 11

http://yahoo.reuters.com/financeQuot...7248683_newsml

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/051007/mesaba_woes.html?.v=4
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Old 01-12-2006, 05:41 AM
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any info on mesaba i got the call in sept will they have any training classes in 06
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Old 01-12-2006, 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by poor pilot
any info on mesaba i got the call in sept will they have any training classes in 06
We are furloughing. 55ish on the streets so far, and up to 150 total by end of February. We are losing (or have already returned) 10 Saabs and have parked a few Avros in the Arizona desert. In a nutshell, lets just say it's not fun to be here at the moment. Lots of folks abandoning ship.....

We're in a "(fake) bankruptcy". I won't even begin to explain what I mean by that. Basically, management is coming down very hard on the pilot's union for paycuts. The next few months will determine what is going to happen around here. It is evident that NWA wants to bring on 70+ seat aircraft, but not for their pilots. The big question is who is going to fly em... Mesaba??... Newco (the new airline that NWA wants to start up to undermind the NWA pilots)...... Pinnacle??.... some other airline bidding on the Airlink flying???.... Noboday knows but what we do know is April seems like a target month for us to know something.

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Old 01-12-2006, 11:19 AM
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What the!? Turning Saabs/Avro's back in, placing 100+ Pinnacle aircraft up for bid by other carriers, and planning the buy 70/100 seat aircraft for NewCo/GroundCo........hmmm??? So puzzling as of why they are in chap 11.
 
Old 01-12-2006, 12:00 PM
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If it's making you money get rid of it before people ask for raises!
 
Old 01-12-2006, 05:30 PM
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Just gotta say awwwwwwwwwwwwww-right!!!
 
Old 01-13-2006, 08:15 AM
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i just think its funny that you file chapter 11, when your still kinda turning a profit....how does that work exactly?
 
Old 01-13-2006, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by cloud kicker
i just think its funny that you file chapter 11, when your still kinda turning a profit....how does that work exactly?
Hence the term "fake bankruptcy". Everything is all fine and dandy at Mesaba right up until September '05. Profitable quarter after profitable quarter.

Then NWA declares chap.11 in mid Sept. Then because they are in BK, they don't make their payment to Mesaba for our services. Nice "excuse". Well that just gives XJ mgt. an excuse to declare BK.... and demand 15-20%paycuts from the pilots. They've already forced cuts on non-union workers (beginning in April). So basically, mgt. believes the pilots should pay for the company's loss (and their inability to run this company) and rising fuel costs. Or the judge can force it on us. Hopefully the judge will have some common sense and see right through Mgt.'s B.S. Otherwise we'll be the next Mesa..........
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Old 01-13-2006, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Saabtrash
Hopefully the judge will have some common sense and see right through Mgt.'s B.S.
Chapter 11 has been an eye-watering experience for many pilots lately. One disappointment is that the judge DOES NOT rule on what's fair. The judge will listen to briefs and approve motions that are founded in common bankruptcy law practices and that are acceptable to the creditors committee. There is NOTHING in this process that requires the judge to consider non-equity stakeholders such as labor. Anyone who expects a King Solomon approach is going to be sorely disappointed.

Hate to rain on the parade, but the Chapter 11 process is HARSH. It's also harsh for management as they no longer effectively run the company, the creditors do - which sometimes is a good motivator for managements to stay OUT of Chapter 11.
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Old 01-13-2006, 05:18 PM
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Good points, which I neglected to make. But yes, most of us are aware that despite management's inability to negotiate fairly with us, that there will be some degree of paycuts.

Mgt. proposed 15-20% paycuts (depending on equip and seat) and workrule cuts. Our MEC has repeatedly asked for relevant and detailed financial reports to substantiate these cuts, but MGT has ignored those requests for several months now. (One ludacrous offer is a 50-100 seat RJ payscale.) Basically, if the judge tosses out the contract, we are walking. The attitude I am receiving in the crewroom and flightdeck is mostly F-em. Otherwise I see us forced to take 10% and some workrules.

Not to rain on future Mesaba hopefuls but many folks are bailing, including me. Dealing with NWA is getting uglier every day. They have been on a union busting crusade since 9/11 and will not stop til they have all of the unions at their knees or completely gone. (i.e. virutally AMFA NWA mechs)

For some, Mesaba is a job and paycheck. For others, there are easier ways of making 20-40k. Good luck to those staying, those furloughed, and to those voluntarily leaving.
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