I heard about this too. I guess a big chunk of that is also the money the judge awarded Aloha in that lawsuit against MESA.

One thing that is somewhat interesting about this whole PHX thing is that when questioned about it, nobody has said NO, that is is not happening. So this must mean there is a possibility, regardless of how marginal.

Hopefully the PHX flying will be given to PDT and PSA. We will wait to see if Airways will take care of their own.

It's good news but I think we're the red headed step children of the Airways System.

I'd love to think positive about the PHX flying. While I think they may use PDT and PSA as a stopgap when, not if, Mesa goes under before their contract ends, I wouldn't be surprised if mainline eventually gives the flying over to the contract carriers like Republic like they usually do.

As for them not saying no, don't get too excited over their choice of words. Remember, they said that they had absolutely no intention of closing the SYR base and look what happened.

I'd love to be wrong on this but Airways has never chosen any significant actions that have benefited us since I've been here.

When you start to get your hopes up keep this rule in mind:

Nothing good happens at PSA.

You'll never be disappointed or surprised.

I think it'd be great if we'd get some PHX flying. One thing relating to this that I heard was that Mr. Farrow flew out of SBY a few weeks ago to go to some meetings out in PHX. I can't remember who they were with, but the impression he left with the flight crew was that the meetings were about flying out west. Again, this is all second hand, and Farrow said that there was nothing anywhere near definite or likely, but that's what was going on.

More on the union. Make sure to fill out the questionnaire the MEC just created on the ALPA website. Talk to other pilots about what they plan on putting on their questionnaire and decide to add some of the best items that need to be addressed. Beyond that get involved, join a committee, grieve contract violations, and be sure to contact your ALPA rep when you have any problems with things (don't just immediately log onto apc - while your question might get answered here, it might be better to make your rep aware of the problem you're having). They will also give you very good guidance on how to deal with it.

One last thing. Has anyone heard where the Dash-8-200s from Horizon have gone/are going? Obviously they're going back to their leasers, but has anyone heard if they're going to be leased by anyone in the states or elsewhere? Just curious. It would be beautiful if we got all of the -200 HA tail numbers back from the Mesa ops out west, but I'm not holding my breath. Oh and on Republic, etc, I'm not sure if Airways would use them out there for those routes because they may not match aircraft size required for them.

Why does Airways always stick with the contract carriers? Isn't it more expensive for them? Didn't Parker say he wanted more wholly owned flying or does everyone think he was talking out of his....?

Because the contract carriers have to be given their contract obligations and then PSA and us get to fight over the scraps.

Aren't their contracts fulfilled if not over?

I don't think so, I think each time they bail out mainline they get more of what should be our flying. At least they can't get HHH away from us.