June 3, 2010
Fellow Mesaba employees:
Last year, we announced Delta Air Lines’ decisions to exercise the early-out provision within the Saab lease agreement, returning 23 of the aircraft operated by our airline. As a result, Mesaba was scheduled to reduce the Saab fleet to 26 by the end of this year, with the awareness that early-out options also existed for those remaining aircraft. Yesterday, Delta notified Saab that it will exercise those options on the balance of the Saab fleet. Starting in January 2011, we will begin removing aircraft from our operation at a rate of two per month, and will work with Delta to determine the final retirement date of the Saab fleet.
The decision to phase out these 49 aircraft will allow Delta to achieve its goal of an all-jet regional fleet. Over the next few months, Delta will determine how to adjust its schedule to provide the best service for its customers, including those in communities currently served with Saab aircraft.
While this news is not unexpected, it will require adjustments to our business plan. In the past year, we took several steps in order to lessen the impact of the fleet reduction on our employees. Over the next few months, the Mesaba leadership team will be working on a revised business plan to reduce our overhead and to ensure our costs are properly aligned to operate a fleet of 60 jet aircraft. I will share more with you about these revisions in the near future.
While this decision supports Delta’s overall strategy in regards to its regional operations, we understand this has an impact for our employees, and we will communicate additional information to you regarding today’s announcement throughout this process. As you have all along, I know the people of Mesaba will continue to provide a safe, reliable, and enjoyable experience to our customers.


Here comes another 230 furloughs Every single person we've hired in the last three + years will lose their job.

 

This is horrible news. I hope the best for all over there.

 

I think we all knew this was coming...just adds a little salt to the wound

 

Glad things are turning around for everyone else, but damn...this sucks. Mesaba is bleeding from every orifice. Bout time to dump this place.

 

Was fun while it lasted...may be time to go find a "normal" job.

 

Best of luck...sorry to hear such terrible news.

 

Terrible, I still think back to just a couple years ago when you guys had the 900's and then you got the news that you were getting more and then at the last second they were given to ASA. If we were still flying under the northwest banner you guys would have probably about 120 airplanes right now. Do you guys think you will be merged with Comair now? Sorry about the news.

 

The flow may help some...but of course the fewer pilots Mesaba has, the faster they reach the 10% they can flow per year.

 

Nope, but who knows anything can happen in this industry...talking to people in our MEC, Comair's MEC has approached us over the last year and suggested we talk about a possible merger. Supposedly, they have a litigation fund setup in case of a merger and the reason we do not is because our union thought it was unfair to be taking more out of guys paychecks when they are probably/possibly going to get furloughed. It's a valid arguement! But just don't see why Delta would want to merge a very senior pilot group with a very junior pilot group knowing that it would cost them a boatload in the long run with training, integration, not to mention labor pay, considering most the pilots would be between 7-15 years at XJ/OH...I'm thinking they are setting us up, when our contract is due at the end of 2011 and conviently for them most of the saabs will be gone to cave in so we can get more airframes...

 

The flow is based off the total pilot group including furloughed. That won't be affected.