I will be voting a Big NO-but many other will be voting yes on this TA simply because of the "current finacial conditions" of Mesa=fear of going out of business. This means the Mesa kids will endure another sub-standard contract until 2012. Enjoy

 

I doubt this TA has a lot of effect on mesa filing BK or them shutting down. The non deferrable money due along with the lawsuits in Jan and Feb has the potential to close the company. This TA is about getting more days off and a few dollars more in pay, how is that going to put the company out of business? From what I've seen and heard, it's going to be a big NO vote.

 

Ok enough with the "non deferrable money" crap. I agree with you on the point that this TA will NOT have any effect on wether or not this company files BK, but the money due IS deferrable. In FACT it is not even due until 2023 and 2024. This is pulled right from the Mesa Air Group 10-Q filed 8/18/2008. I am not going after you but after hearing this same load all over this forum I am tired of it. I don't like JO or his tactics anymore than the next guy but at least have the facts straight. Once again anything and everything is negotiable!

10-Q
While the Company's cash flows from operations and its available capital have been sufficient to meet its current operating expenses, lease obligations and debt service requirements to date, the Company's future cash flow from operations and available capital will be negatively impacted by (i) our ability to secure more flexible credit terms from certain of the Company's other key vendors; (ii) reduced cash payments from our code share partners related to disputed items under our agreements; (iii) the $23.2 million in aggregate remaining principal amount of senior convertible notes due 2023, which the Company may be required to repurchase on January 31, 2009 in accordance with the forbearance agreements described above; (iv) the $77.8 million in aggregate principal amount of senior convertible notes due 2024, which the Company may be required to repurchase on February 10, 2009

Once again vote how you feel driven just like I will but get the facts straight. I don't think this TA is great or even good but I am not making my decision on wether or not Mesa might file for BK. If they do they will come back out the other side. They will be smaller and hopefully lacking a few upper managers with the initials JO and ML but they will come out.

 

Correct Dashrash. And just another point too. I think even if the bonds were not negotiable... I think they would become negotiable. I mean, Bombardier knows we are in a financial crisis, and they also know if we go into C11 or worse, Ch. 7 that they would have a hard time getting their money (if they ever got it). I think they would probably make some kind of a deal with JO about this.

The whole financial stuff kind of confuses me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't worry about it, but at the same time I'm just trying to go to work, do a good job, and go on with life. If the worst happens, it happens.

I will also check on the DL court case this coming week and update you all.

 

...but I am not eligible to vote; I have not completed one year of service at Mesa and am still an apprentice member of ALPA.

I looked at the Comair contract. It seems that a big difference between the MAG TA and the Comair contract is that Comair has more specific language in many areas. Specifics about how to build a schedule, how to transition from line flying to training events, when the company may contact pilots on layovers, etc. I would like to see our MEC continue to work on making future CBA's as detail-specific as this one.

However, I feel that the MAG TA contains improvements significant enough that a "yes" vote is warranted. The TA would last about 2 years, quite short for an airline industry CBA. I think MAG pilots should take the significant improvements that are worth a "yes" vote and encourage the MEC to work on inserting more specific language in the next contract.

Pay will be increased by the change from segment time pay to "block or better" pay. Days off will increase from 104 to 132 per year for reservists. Minimum days off for line-holders will increase from 130 to 132 per year. The introduction of PBS will give pilots more control over their schedules.

Anyone looking for advice on how to vote should learn as much as possible about the person giving the advice. Again, I am relatively new to Mesa and am not eligible to vote. I am a reserve lineholder and stand to have my time off significantly increased under the TA. My Mesa experience has been positive. I fly the Dash and we have not been hammered quite like the jet pilots. So far, anytime I have asked the company for a favor (an extra day off after a training event; lodging in company housing for training in my domicile), they have given it to me. I have not lived through the junior assignment horrors of '05-'08 and the other bad times more veteran MAG pilots have dealt with. I fully understand that my perspective is different than many of my brothers and sisters.

Some describe the TA as still being below industry standards. I do not see this. Mesa pay rates are comparable to "good regionals". The TA brings days off in line with "good regionals". Currently airlines are furloughing and burning through cash reserves. The chances of winning big pay raises and other great things right now are zero.

Be aware that people on this forum advocating a certain vote on the Mesa TA may have their own agenda and may not even work at Mesa. Some current and former Mesa pilots may remain so angry at the company that they have adopted a "scorched earth" outlook and would urge a no vote on any TA.

 

I am not bitter I left on very good terms. So no scorched earth agenda here. But you are new and have not flown camping trips on the CRJ etc. The Dash side is a very small house so your perspective is unfortunately limited. The pilots finally have the upper hand I wish my fellow bro's the best & know you can do better.

 

The vast majority of experienced mesa pilots don't work at mesa...and there is a very good reason for that! JO depends on clueless newbies to advance his agenda at every turn.

Pay rates and days off are 100% MEANINGLESS without work rules and airtight language to enforce them. "Hourly Payrates" has been the battle cry of mesa apologists for years.

Sounds like you're OK with your little corner of MAG...so to heck with the jet guys, right? It's just as well that you can't vote.

 

If the TA isn't ratified with only 2 weeks of operating capital left what options do pilots have?

 

How could you possibly know exactly how much cash Mesa has. Did you buy a third of Mesa stock for 10 dollars?

 

I do not see how we have the "upper hand". The job market is full of very qualified pilots. MAG may lose DAL flying, may have to pay out large sums of money, and has at least one major partner in serious trouble (USA). I do not see MAG pilots being in a position to demand significant pay raises. I think that the improvements in the TA are pretty good considering the state of the industry.

The Dash Whisperer