RAH: "The start of a new direction..."
 

Dear Republic Pilots,

I understand the reasons that you fought so hard for a single seniority list in your previous contract years ago. Management exploited the separate lists to their advantage, and you are to be commended for putting an end to it. Before I go on, I want it to be understood that I mean this particular part with the utmost sincerity.

However, as Bedford has stated in his most recent letter, "we can now begin, in earnest, the process of separating Republic and Frontier back into two independent airlines", I wanted to ask for the opinions of some of you as to why you would still be in favor of maintaining one seniority list.

I know why the IBT is interested - Money, plain and simple. Yours, ours, Fapas. What I am looking for is individual pilot's opinions.

Whipsaw? The greatest reason for a single list was to avoid whipsaw. But IBT has not been offered Airbus flying to undercut FAPA rates. And despite rumors to the contrary, FAPA pilots have not been offered 190 flying. Even if it were true, we would never accept flying at rates to undercut those you have right now. So whipsaw isn't a factor.

Furlough Protection? It seems that the CW here is that Frontier is on it's last legs (despite our tiny profit this quarter). If we are doomed to go out of business, then shouldn't it be FAPA pilots and only FAPA pilots that lose their jobs because of it? So furlough protection is out.

Pilot Solidarity? See: IBT lawsuit against FAPAInvest; Lanyard 'wars', all previous discussion threads between the Republic and FAPA pilots, etc etc... So THAT'S not it.

Because we bought you? The only one who gets to use that phrase, like it or not, is management. There was a very valid point made in another thread which (probably because it was so valid) never got any response from a Republic Pilot. If you as Republic pilots cling to the belief that you deserve things which were not rightfully earned because 'you bought us' then you must have it both ways. If you think you deserve all the spoils that come with buying Frontier, then you also deserve all the blame for what happened to all the former pilots and employees when 'you bought Midwest'. You cant pick and choose. You either deserve the rewards AND the blame, or you deserve neither.

So why keep fighting? Don't let the FFD profits that you have sacrificed so much to achieve be poured down the sinkhole that is branded ops. Speak up and tell Bedford that you never asked for him to buy two failing airlines, to put your future careers in jeopardy. Bid 'good riddance' to all of the 'uppity' or 'crybaby' FAPA pilots once and for all. Stop facing the prospect of extra dues assessments to fight those frivolous lawsuits from FAPA. Encourage IBT to support the coming petition for reversing STS status. Everybody wins right?

I mean, what other possible reason could there be for wanting to stay one list?

It really is very simple. My CBA requires there to be one list. If I do not fight for my CBA, then I should just throw in the towel.

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Whipsaw?- We're not out of the woods yet on a whipsaw. IF we take delivery of 195s or C-series or any other aircraft it'll be interesting to see if BB wants to offer them to legacy RAH and F9 to see who will work the cheapest.

Furlough Protection?- I don't see furlough protection as an issue unless we furlough 50% of the combined list. Right now all F9ers are ahead of me on the list so I'm not very protected.

Because we bought you? Since RAH bought F9, they might as well use it to make money for the entire company. The margin on FFD flying is 6-8% for next year. Depending on fuel prices, the margin for F9 flying could be much larger or could drive us to a loss. Right now, BB and co are anticipating a profitable year next year. I expect, if the CASM gets down to 6.5 or less it'll be profitable and BB won't want to lose that money and the ability to operate his own toy airline. Nothing has changed since BB got concessions. Right now he's working to comply with the commercial agreement signed with FAPAInvest LLC. Did you hear all the verbal stumbling he did when asked about separating F9? They'll separate it enough to keep it attractive to buyers and attempt to overturn the single carrier status, but I doubt he'll sell 51% to a third party if/when the company is profitable.

I won't support an STS reversal petition. I do not intend to play into his hand of creating shell companies under the holding company's umbrella. Just as I think we should have pushed back, hard on the Mokulele issue. IF F9 is sold completely, then I'd support the STS reversal. But while RAH gets any profit or has any liability from it, I think I'll continue to support the STS finding.

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Frontier is a failing airline that is dragging down everyone else at the company. Seperate it and eject it, once its on its own it will be killed much quicker without Republic supporting it.

My dream would be for Bedford to sell off Frontier and leave with them. Get a new CEO at Republic and go about our business flying regional feed for other major airlines and move on just like most of us planned before the whole BB airline shopping spree started. I would be all for a STS reversal in that case. However starting different shell companies within the holding company and having multiple pilot groups within each shell sounds a lot like Texas Air and good ol' Lorenzo.

Wrong on the first count (or at least it was talked about); true on the second.

Amen!!

+1 .

Then we are all in agreement. All those in favor of separation...