Mesaba Future
 

So it seems like lately I keep hearing everyone say we are getting the additional 36 900's...I even heard this 2 days before my checkride from an LCA (March 11). But then I hear people say well we can't get the additional 36 because of a scope clause. But then I hear people say well we can't get them till we merge with Delta...blah blah blah. What's the story...

Is the 36 RJ's and all or nothing deal too...

So let's go out on a limb here and say we do get the additional 36 to put in place the phase out of the DC-9 and Delta's MD's, about two weeks ago it was reported that Delta was interested in being the US launch customer for the Bombardier C-Series. What's gunna happen to the 900 if all those C-Series come on line in 2012.

I've also heard talk of us dumping our 200's and doing the transition for 200 crews to the 900. Is there any truth to this...

The bottom line is this... the people who know haven't shared the future with us. All other talk is complete speculation. I've heard all the same rumors you're talking about, but they're just that... rumors.

Go with what we know... 36 900s, 17 200s and 49 Saabs. Until then, everything else is speculation. Try not to get so hung up on rumors and stick with FACTS. Certainly don't plan your career based on rumors and loose speculation by some wanna be know it alls.

Just to kill some of the rumors with facts:

- At the moment Airlinks cannot operate more than 90, 76 seat a/c. That leaves only 18 more to operate. After the merger this could likely change. We could be capped at current levels, it may increase... who knows. NW/DL are in the drivers seat for this one.

- the 900s and 175s are not being operated to completely get rid of the DC9s. NWA is keeping a substantial amount around. They all seat between 100-125 seats. Even after the merger they'll be around and do you know how many MDs DL has? HUNDREDS! Think about it... do you really think the DL is going to replace their 100-140 seat a/c with 76 seat RJs? Further, the Cseries is going to be built to seat 110-130 seats, perfect for DC9 replacement. The Cseries will be used in a completely different market than the 175s/900s.

- LCAs are line pilots. Line pilots are usually the last to know anything of great importance. Other instructors might think they're in the know, but in the end, they're just speculating as well. If any earth shattering information is shared, it will come with a confidentiality agreement. Once again, those who REALLY know aren't talking, because they can't.

Its true. We are getting more 900's! The total will be around 100 CRJ-900's.
Expect an announcement very soon!

Man I luv da nine. Its pretty baller. My favorite part is making the announcements! Chicks dig it.

What basis are you making that decision on

I'm interested to see where you get your facts...would like to read about it...

looks like they are interviewing also. One of my friends going up there on the 26th

Threegreen - yea - we're interviewing, as we've always been.

Dj - My facts?

We all know what our fleet make up is going to be at the moment. We've known for over a year and you learned about it when you interviewed.

The NWA scope information is directly from their contract. The fleet sizes and a/c capacities are easily found online. Future fleet plans can be found through NWA press releases and from NWA employees.

There is tons of information out there, you just have to find it. I prefer to understand the state of affairs through fact and not rumors and wild speculation.

....huh?? They're interviewing yet they had canceled all of those classes back then?

Classes weren't canceled. They were filled with current Mesaba pilots and newhires were put into a pool. Due to the slowdown of attritian, NWA stopping their hiring (flowthru stops) and everyone else basically shutting down their hiring, we found ourselves over staffed on the saab. To solve that problem the company realigned the saab staffing, therefore filling the last several 900 classes with current saab Fos who wanted to switch. Once that comes to a halt, the poolies will get their classes.

Fact vs. Fiction. Isn't it amazing?

yep, and i think you might know him. he deserves it though.