wolf

Since we all know management reads these message boards, I have a suggestion in response to the latest message from our CEO. I've edited out part of his statement in the interest of brevity.

"Message from Phil Trenary

...Pinnacle Airlines has the reputation of being one of the best operators in the regional airline business. In fact, with few exceptions (like the last few weeks) we are recognized as the most reliable operator of Bombardier CRJ aircraft in the world. We will regain this title in the very near future and not only lead all Regionals providing service to NWA but lead the industry as well...This is not just about our reputation, it is key to ensuring we are one of the long term winners in the business. Our industry is all excited about the possibility of a merger, more specifically a merger between Delta and Northwest. If this happens, the combined entity would have nine regional partners. Managing nine relationships that make up over half of the departures for the new network would be inefficient and a logistical nightmare. You’ve heard me say that quality counts, and it will never count as much as it does when it comes time to choose long term partners. If we provide the highest quality service at competitive rates, not only will we be around for a very long time we will enjoy continued growth that benefits all of our People, our stakeholders, and our shareholders...2008 has the potential to be one of the most dynamic/exciting/scary years in the history of Pinnacle Airlines. I am confident that we will again face any and all challenges head on, fight like crazy to protect our People and what we have built together, and be recognized as one of the winners in a very tough industry... None of this would be possible without the tremendous dedication of our People. Thank you for everything each of you has done to help us achieve long term success. Thank you again and please take care of each other"


If you want the best from your people, give us a fair contract. The threat of a potential merger and the unknown consequences associated with a merger is not going to sway us to accept a sub par contract. If you really care about your company and all it's stakeholders, give the pilots a fair contract and do it now!!!

If our pilots were motivated, we would bend over backwards to help to ensure the success of our company. However as long as we have an industry leading (worst) contract, it is unreasonable to expect our people to go above and beyond. Wake up and deal with the reality - give us a fair contract and do it now. It's no surprise our on time performance has plummeted. You can not expect people who have been trodden upon for years to be motivated to go above and beyond.

mooney

Just that moron's first step in scaring the hell out of the other departments. Next message to his People..."If those pilots do not work for poverty level wages, Delta will cut us because they do not want 9 regionals! Everybody needs to show a picture of their children to the next flight crew they see and say to them, 'please do not shut us down and starve my children.' "

Jumperno64

Not a big supporter of management here and not like it really matters but... a couple thoughts.

I wonder if 9e is going to hold out until the now expected NWA/DAL merger (if the feds agree) to settle the contract. If they are given a piece of the shuttle service then that could be a lucrative time for 9e pilots to settle. I know it has been a long time waiting but that could be the end game for 9e. I hope the pilots will not give in to a sub par contract thinking that the company is strapped and then all of the sudden 9e starts raking in the cash and the pilots are left with a three year contract that lasts 8.

It doesn't seem like there would be any contract with a major though if they could not give a good estimate of costs. What % of costs can the pilots in a regional claim compared to a major? I doubt that that management can realistically think they are going to just throw the old contract up in the air and think that it is going to land as the same object.

It also kind of seems wrong for the management that screws their pilots to possibly get a great contract. Somebody else that pays better is going to get screwed because they actually pay a living wage. Then again fairness seems to play no part in business these days.

higney85

I guarantee that if we had a fair contract- or at least the appearance that mgmt cared for its employees I would have no problem flying 100 hours a month and pick up the open time to "help out". Truth is we could all use the money (I want my TV) but out of respect for fellow pilots I will not go and pick up open time. Even at 150% friends at other regionals are making more per hour at straight pay. Constant junior man phone calls and company memos do not help their cause.

Management if you read this: I know you are not stupid. You have all played the game of keeping costs low for growth and have utilized supply and demand to keep the flights operating- everyone wants all the hours and the quick upgrade. You also know that in a political year and with Pres. Bush in office a strike will not happen. I appreciate the growth and good schedule but the supply/demand game is not what it used to be. If you want a true #1 company you can have it. Give us a fair contract. Look at FDX and SWA- the companies are on the 10 best list (last I checked) and while labor costs are high they have the best profits. The equipment is the same across the board- the difference is the employees. Show us respect and we will give you a #1 company. Most -if not all- pilots are type A personalities. We strive to be the best at what we do. We operate out of hubs where we are the sole occupants, we have a pilot group that mainly lives in those hubs. You help us to enjoy our time off and we won't have a problem picking up the slack to come out and pick up an out and back or two on a day off. We don't have delays like ATL/ORD. You have the cash in the bank and the potential options orders paid- don't screw it up. If this company goes under you go under. Just give it a thought. You get us a contract you get your bonus and with performance the stock goes up- you make far more than any pilot. Just some thoughts.

Now back to reality- things will be just getting worse before they get better. That is unfortunate for all but as human beings we can only take soo much abuse before we loose the will to care about being "simply the best". The company thinks that as people leave the way to complete the flights with less people is more JM's and extensions and offer premium pay- in reality you just show the remaining employees that you don't care about them. Respect goes a long way. Just a little makes up for a lot.

tsween

i watched billy madison today, airline mgt reminds me of the end question under the business ethics category

hope you guys set the bar high and good luck

Jamers

Here is the regional airline pilot job in a nutshell:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AWmkXRrr2YY

HoursHore

If the merger happens, MEM will be done as a hub and pinnacle will be done as Airlink.

Mem might still be a focus city with a few directs subsidized by FDX.

Airsupport

this statement is wrong on so many levels that i wonder if any thought was even put into it. if there is a merger memphis will grow and have even more flights. even the northwest base manager agrees with this. and it makes the most sense. atlanta is the busiest airport in the world. the field is saturated and cant handle any more flights, infact it could stand to lose a little to help their performance numbers. so instead of having 8 flights a day to knoxville from atlanta and 3 a day from memphis they would take a few flights away from atl and either get rid of them all together or add a few to memphis. pinnacle and memphis will be bigger if there is a merger.

JetJock16

I think you can add CVG to that list and Comair? Well their future's not looking to good.

JetJock16

Aaaaaaaaah? We'll see, but don't you think that if this was a real problem they would have tried to utilize CVG more? Instead they've been decreasing ops there for a while and moving some of them down to ATL. Just talk to all the Maddog crews who have to commute to ATL now.

& BTW, IMO CVG's a better airport. It's newer and it's not like stepping back into the day of Elvis.