CRJPlt

As everyone is aware, we have numerous projects taking place within our
organization. Many of these projects are focused on achieving our desired
end-state operations. To accomplish our long-term objectives, we are at a
point where we need to make important decisions to ensure we continue to
effectively implement these strategies and plans. Most importantly, we are
focused on ensuring we can deliver safe, reliable service for all of our
partners. We’ve made the following decisions to help us accomplish these
objectives:

We notified US Airways of our intention to eliminate the majority of our
US pro-rate flying later this year. Specifically:

Colgan’s US Airways Boston (BOS) operation, which has five lines of Saab
flying, will be reduced by two lines effective Oct. 1. Colgan will end
operations between BOS and Syracuse (SYR), and reduce BOS to Albany (ALB)
service. The remaining BOS markets are Essential Air Services (EAS)
cities; Plattsburgh (PBG), Presque Isle (PQI) and Bar Harbor (BHB). We’ve
communicated our intent to exit these markets, but due to EAS regulations,
we will remain in there until we fulfill our obligations. This will likely
occur in early 2012.

Mesaba’s US Airways New York LaGuardia (LGA) operation (six lines of Saab
flying) will end on Dec. 23. With the pending approval of the Delta/US
Airways slot swap, we knew we’d have to drop this flying. This is
essentially a timeline acceleration.
Colgan will continue to operate 19 weekly roundtrips for US Airways
between Charleston (CRW) and Washington, D.C. (DCA).

We are working closely with US Airways on this. We value this
relationship, and want to ensure we remain a viable partner with them in
the future.

It’s important to note that our Colgan operations serving these markets
for Continental/United will NOT be impacted by these decisions.

Separately, Colgan’s Cleveland (CLE) operations (three lines of Q400
flying supporting Continental/United) will be moved to Houston (IAH) on
Dec. 3. This stabilizes our IAH operation at 11 aircraft, and removes
flying that was difficult to support.

Our People
While these changes won’t occur immediately, we held meetings at the
impacted bases this week to provide our employees as much time as possible
to weigh their options. Wherever possible we’re working to provide other
opportunities for those who are interested in staying with Pinnacle
Airlines Corp. Those who aren’t interested or able to find other
opportunities will be offered a stay incentive in order to maintain safe,
reliable operations through the last scheduled day of flying.

Why Are We Doing This?
In short, we’re doing this to maintain a reliable operation. Specifically,
we’re addressing upcoming staffing challenges as we implement key elements
of the new pilot contract, as well as take important steps to consolidate
our operations to two end-state certificates. The Saab reductions will
free up more crews and resources to support numerous training events along
with the balance of the schedule we will operate. The Q400 relocation will
concentrate more of our fleet within our larger hub bases – increasing
reliability and crew productivity.

Following are details about some of those bigger projects on the table
that are driving these changes.

Integrated Seniority List:
The first project is a one-time training surge related to the
implementation of the integrated seniority list for our pilots. One of the
benefits of the new single collective bargaining agreement (ratified in
February) is more opportunities. Our pilots will have greater flexibility
to move to other aircraft types within the fleet, or other airlines within
the Pinnacle Airlines Corp. family.

While this is a good thing long term, pilots are required to go through
additional training any time they change aircraft or airline. We
anticipate many of our pilots will initially make use of this flexibility
to get to their more preferred positions or locations. Unfortunately, this
will occur ahead of the winter schedule, which means large classes of
pilots will be in training this fall and not available to cover scheduled
flights.

Transition Timing:
As we have communicated, we’re working to have the Mesaba jets ready to
move to Pinnacle into the “fenced” operating environment soon.

Before those fences can come down and those aircraft can fully operate
under Pinnacle’s operating specs, the Mesaba crews working those jets will
require some additional training. This isn’t expected to happen until
2012, but we need to prepare now for those pilots to be committed to
training.

Nobody likes to take a step back when it comes to growing our network.
But, it’s even worse to put our operations and our people through the
strain of trying to cover our schedule with insufficient staffing.

We’re committed to making Pinnacle, Colgan and Mesaba leaders in
operational reliability, and I greatly appreciate your help in achieving
this goal.

Doug

joethepilot

.... double post
__________________
Pinnacle/Colgan/Mesaba Pilots check out pinnacolabapilots.com !

joethepilot

This is bad news.... might need the extra pilots now for the training bubble but what happens to them when that bubble goes away? I see furloughs in our future. crap, I see a second furlough in as many years in my future. I picked the wrong day to quit drinking.

Fly782

There wont be furloughs, its 40 additional pilots added to what they already expected. Were still short on every airplane. Well get more Qs watch

Saabs

Don't forget a handful of captains left the props for the jets. I think there is about 22 captains in BOS ?

jheath

Ehhhhh, while I hope the rest of your sentiment is correct, I think I can say we are decidedly not short on the Q. I flew 5 hours on reserve last month. My build up line this month was only worth 45 hours. Moving three more planes down here might change that depending of course on how long it is until I'm displaced out.

IlliniPilot99

did i read that right? that BOS is being reduced not closed?

Fly782

No you did not, its being reduced now, closed later

jheath

I read it as being reduced immediately and closed as soon as they can get away from their EAS obligations early next year.

IlliniPilot99

gotcha its not closing till early 2012, just reduced for now... thanks