Good point! Think its worth more than 2 cents.

 

I hope this doesn't come to pass at ASA. As a finance major, there's an old saying that comes to mind. "Don't fight the Fed." Right now, they're pouring money into the system and the stock market seems to be discounting improvement in the economy by the summer. If that's the case, it would seem odd to furlough now instead of September when things were quite dour. Also, flying is going to increase some for the summer months, right?

I know there are some predicting financial catastrophe for the U.S., but things are much different today than they were in the Depression. At this point during the Depression, unemployment was at 25%, banks were failing by the thousands, and property had decreased by 50%. We're not seeing anything close to that now. At the most, unemployment might hit 8.5%. This recession is going to be tough, but likely only a bit worse than that of 1973 and 1982.

Things can turn around faster than you think though. In 1921 after Warren Harding took office, the country went through a terrible recession. In 1921, unemployment went from 4% or 5% to 16% or 17% in 1922. Back in those days, Adam Smith's invisible hand and laizze faire economics ruled. As such, Harding and Andrew Mellon (Treasury) did nothing and allowed the economy to correct naturally. By 1923, unemployment was back to 5% or so.

Sorry for the trip back in time, but I thought it might be interesting to show how things can turn around. If ASA does furlough, best of luck and hopefully it won't last too long.

 

Well ASA says it will do anything to avoid furlough. I was on the phone with my buddy at Pinnacle. He told me their average line values right now are around 44hrs, 75hr guarantee. Ours has gone down to around 64 next month? So why is Pinnacle able to go even lower to retain pilots and not ASA? (if this rumor is true)

 

Could that have anything to do with our duty rigs and how our CDO lines are credited? I don't know anything about Pinnacle's contract, but I would guess our adverage block time could be less than 64.

 

You know what, that's a good question and I didn't ask. I just hope our ALPA guys are doing everything they can. One of the my friends said she over heard a Capt. complain the to the chief pilot that he only got like 75hrs of flying and we should furlough. I hope the ASA Capts at ALPA don't have that attitude. The great part was that the chief looked at him in the eye and said NO.

 

All our lines do not touch above 75 hour guarentee for next month ( jan ) . This is purely flame bait sending out a ' got a msg from my buddy that ASA will furlough '. If it is true, we would see a bit more communication ( I WOULD HOPE ) from ALPA and BH as he/they have not really steered us the wrong way recently. Time will tell.

 

Agree.... ESP since BH just sent out his weekly message.

 

Not looking good from what I have heard from across the street.
The pull back specifics should be announced in days.

 

Elaborate?

 

Not flamebait, don't know why you would say that. This is merely one who is concerned about furlough inquiring as to whether anyone had information to support it.

And don't you think that BH and Mgmt would want to hint at a furlough? I think they'd keep it quiet as long as possible and look for other options. But the fact is, when it comes down to it, they'll drop the news whenever suits them. No need to hint at it prior to.