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Two Senator's kick Sean Menke in the teeth!!
It's pretty pathetic when not one, but TWO, Senators SCOLDS the CEO of a regional airline for taking a 60% payraise amidst filing for bankruptcy. What a "kick in the teeth" for Sean Menke. ALPA needs to setup a picket line in front of One Commerce Square with signs that read "Sean Menke is an GUTLESS PIECE OF $H1T" and invite Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to attend the event.
Bankrupt Pinnacle should rethink big raises for execs, lawmakers say - Flight 3407 - The Buffalo News Bankrupt Pinnacle should rethink big raises for execs, lawmakers say Updated: April 4, 2012, 10:54 PM WASHINGTON -- The Buffalo area's three House members and New York's two senators Wednesday urged Pinnacle Airlines executives to rethink the big raises they recently received in light of revelations that the bankrupt airline is struggling to pay its pilots. "It is reprehensible and unconscionable that your company would shortchange its pilots, who are critical to the safety of the flying public, while approving hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra payment for its corporate officers," the lawmakers said in a letter to John G. Spanjers, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Pinnacle. "On behalf of our constituents, we ask that Pinnacle executives, including yourself, reconsider the propriety of accepting generous raises while pilots in your employ are waiting to be paid," the lawmakers added. The Buffalo News reported Wednesday that Pinnacle -- which owns Colgan Air, operator of Continental Connection Flight 3407, which crashed in Clarence Center in 2009 -- was struggling to pay its pilots. Low pilot pay was one of the issues that was raised in the investigation of the crash, which claimed 50 lives. Despite the pay problems -- which the company blamed largely on a new software system -- Pinnacle last month boosted the annual salary of CEO Sean E. Menke from $425,000 to $675,000. Spanjers, meanwhile, got a raise from $275,000 to $400,000. Pinnacle said those raises came in conjunction with new duties stemming from the departure of other executives and the company's efforts to reorganize. Those efforts culminated in a bankruptcy filing Sunday, less than two weeks after the raises were announced. Local lawmakers didn't think very much of the raises at Pinnacle. "The tragedy of Flight 3407, right in the heart of my district, highlights the dangers of underpaid and overworked pilots, and it's unconscionable for their corporate officers to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in pay increases right before declaring bankruptcy," said Rep. Kathleen C. Hochul, D-Amherst. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y, agreed. He made reference to the fact that in addition to the raises for Pinnacle's top executives, departing CEO Philip H. Trenary left the company with a $1.7 million consulting deal. "These latest facts are appalling, and Pinnacle needs to reset their priorities immediately," Schumer said. "Instead of providing golden parachutes for retiring CEOs, Pinnacle should make sure its pilots are paid a decent wage on time and that they put passenger safety above personal perks." Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., also signed the letter to Pinnacle, as did Reps. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport. [email protected]null |
I hope this gets into the national spotlight.
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Hate to say it, but it won't change anything. Wish it would!
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Originally Posted by captain152
(Post 1164207)
Hate to say it, but it won't change anything. Wish it would!
Actually it just might. If there's enough bad publicity of the CEO, then the shareholders can put enough pressure on the Board of Directors to oust him. IMHO, he is already on his way out. He has done nothing constructive to benefit the financial well being of Pinnacle. He was unsuccessful with the labor group concessions, unsuccessful with renogotiations of business partner contracts and has taken the stock from $6.00 to 60 cents in a short period of a few months. An airline with dark clouds on the horizons needs innovation, creativity and leadership that everyone can fall in line behind. Sean Menke has NONE of that. What he has done, is anger employees to the point of no return as to which you can expect to see a reduction in labor costs through bankruptcy, but an increase in operating expenses as the employee's are now unified in their new mantra of "I don't give a crap" attitude towards running an efficient and streamlined operation. This will result in an exit from bankruptcy with a Cost per Available Seat Mile actually INCREASING! Just wait and see. It's happening now as APU useage has skyrocketed overnight, two engine taxis are the norm, and maintenance writeups at outstations are now becoming the norm. He has single handedly butchered an airline by making ALL the wrong moves. The Supreme Captain of Pinnacle, Sean Menke, has just hit an iceberg and is the first one to bail into a lifeboat. He is drunk, and needs to be restrained to prevent causing even more damage. |
Originally Posted by Liv2soar
(Post 1164214)
... but an increase in operating expenses as the employee's are now unified in their new mantra of "I don't give a crap" attitude towards running an efficient and streamlined operation. This will result in an exit from bankruptcy with a Cost per Available Seat Mile actually INCREASING! Just wait and see. It's happening now as APU useage has skyrocketed overnight, two engine taxis are the norm, and maintenance writeups at outstations are now becoming the norm. .
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Hopefully CNN, FOX & other national media will pick up the story and expose these clowns for what they are......
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Faultpush
You just don't get it. Employee pay is not the problem. Mangers crap on you and I cause they can. Enough |
i agree this in the spotlight would be great
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.................................................. ......
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Originally Posted by Liv2soar
(Post 1164214)
Actually it just might. If there's enough bad publicity of the CEO, then the shareholders can put enough pressure on the Board of Directors to oust him.
IMHO, he is already on his way out. He has done nothing constructive to benefit the financial well being of Pinnacle. He was unsuccessful with the labor group concessions, unsuccessful with renogotiations of business partner contracts and has taken the stock from $6.00 to 60 cents in a short period of a few months. An airline with dark clouds on the horizons needs innovation, creativity and leadership that everyone can fall in line behind. Sean Menke has NONE of that. What he has done, is anger employees to the point of no return as to which you can expect to see a reduction in labor costs through bankruptcy, but an increase in operating expenses as the employee's are now unified in their new mantra of "I don't give a crap" attitude towards running an efficient and streamlined operation. This will result in an exit from bankruptcy with a Cost per Available Seat Mile actually INCREASING! Just wait and see. It's happening now as APU useage has skyrocketed overnight, two engine taxis are the norm, and maintenance writeups at outstations are now becoming the norm. He has single handedly butchered an airline by making ALL the wrong moves. The Supreme Captain of Pinnacle, Sean Menke, has just hit an iceberg and is the first one to bail into a lifeboat. He is drunk, and needs to be restrained to prevent causing even more damage. |
Originally Posted by Tampa 2
(Post 1164225)
Hopefully CNN, FOX & other national media will pick up the story and expose these clowns for what they are......
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I'd be happy to walk the picket line with my brothers and sisters! Sign me up!!!
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You know what this means.....CRAZY FLIGHT CASE STICKERS!
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Originally Posted by BlueMoon
(Post 1164280)
I highly doubt FOX is going to take up your cause, look at the party affiliation of the Senators and Congressmen that wrote that letter.
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[QUOTE=Liv2soar;1164214]Actually it just might. If there's enough bad publicity of the CEO, then the shareholders can put enough pressure on the Board of Directors to oust him.
The BoD don't care a thing about the Shareholders (of what is left of them now). They just wanted to make sure that there is a Captain onboard the sinking vessel, and will run away as fast as he got there. My thoughts - His remaining time at Pinnacle has already been decided by Delta. |
Rupert's boys (and gals) are all about executive strength and compensation. The politicians who made themselves known with these statements are simply "banking" future votes. This Menke clown isn't going to be giving back one dime anyway. As long as he's got suckers willing to fly for peanuts and accept just about any injustice, why should he ?
Business as usual for the fatcats, the pols they control and the sympathetic media sycophants that trumpet their cause. The title of this thread really should be, "Menke successfully kicks his pilots in the nuts..........again". |
An interesting list I compiled of who Sean Menke makes a higher salary then.
Gerard J. Arpey (Former AMR CEO) - $669,646 Richard H. Anderson (Delta CEO) - $600,000 Dave Barger (Jet Blue CEO) - $600,000 W. Douglas Parker (US Airways CEO) - $550,000 Gary Kelly (Southwest CEO) - $465,000 Jerry Atkin (Skywest CEO) - $400,000 President of the United States - $400,000 William Ayer (Alaska CEO) - $395,385 U.S. Senator or House Member - $174,000 Eric Schmidt (Executive Chairman Google) - $1 Maurice J. Gallagher (CEO Allegiant Air) - $0 Add to the list if you know anyone? (Other than yourself) |
Originally Posted by Liv2soar
(Post 1164196)
It's pretty pathetic when not one, but TWO, Senators SCOLDS the CEO of a regional airline for taking a 60% payraise amidst filing for bankruptcy. What a "kick in the teeth" for Sean Menke. ALPA needs to setup a picket line in front of One Commerce Square with signs that read "Sean Menke is an GUTLESS PIECE OF $H1T" and invite Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to attend the event.
Bankrupt Pinnacle should rethink big raises for execs, lawmakers say - Flight 3407 - The Buffalo News Sure is nice to know that some of our elected leaders in our goverment are actually standing up to corporate goons like Sean Menke. What a loser he is. |
Originally Posted by HotMamaPilot
(Post 1164310)
What are you talking about? You are rambling.
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Originally Posted by FAULTPUSH
(Post 1164220)
That'll help you avoid court-forced pay cuts.
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The BOD are the CLOWNS who approve these ridiculous salaries and parachutes. THEY are resposible for this crap. THEY are ANOTHER part of the PROBLEM. THEY are ALL LOSERS in my opinion. If your company said "here, let me give you a $5 million pay package plus bennies to run this company into BK", would you take it? Of course you would! :mad:
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Originally Posted by gettinbumped
(Post 1164345)
No he's not. He's spot on.
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Originally Posted by Liv2soar
(Post 1164196)
It's pretty pathetic when not one, but TWO, Senators SCOLDS the CEO of a regional airline for taking a 60% payraise amidst filing for bankruptcy. What a "kick in the teeth" for Sean Menke. ALPA needs to setup a picket line in front of One Commerce Square with signs that read "Sean Menke is an GUTLESS PIECE OF $H1T" and invite Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to attend the event.
Bankrupt Pinnacle should rethink big raises for execs, lawmakers say - Flight 3407 - The Buffalo News Sure is nice to know that some of our elected leaders in our goverment are actually standing up to corporate goons like Sean Menke. What a loser he is. WNY delegation on Pinnacle Airlines | WIVB.com Click on a link in the press release. |
Originally Posted by jayray
(Post 1164356)
I don't get the Frontier Menke apologists. What did he do for you guys? His actions are everything that is wrong with America. He was like a broken record on Monday, constantly blaming this mess on other people. As the head of the company and someone who has been here 7 months it is time to start taking responsibility. It is also time to start suffering with your employees. Not to mention strategically speaking this was not a good move. First, the company doesn't have the cash flow and secondly how do you look a BK judge in the face and keep a straight face and tell them you need employee concessions to stay afloat but at the same time they can afford 1/2 million in executive pay raises? Advantage labor groups.
"I like puzzles," he said. "It's a fascinating game for me to have $20 million, $25 million planes that you get to move around like toys." Someone buy this guy some dolls or World of Warcraft and hire a real CEO. |
[QUOTE=bhmdiversion;1164330]
Originally Posted by Liv2soar
(Post 1164214)
They just wanted to make sure that there is a Captain onboard the sinking vessel, .
Originally Posted by Liv2soar
(Post 1164214)
The Supreme Captain of Pinnacle, Sean Menke, has just hit an iceberg and is the first one to bail into a lifeboat. He is drunk, and needs to be restrained to prevent causing even more damage.
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Originally Posted by gettinbumped
(Post 1164345)
No he's not. He's spot on.
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Originally Posted by ewrbasedpilot
(Post 1164391)
She is the same one who's saying that promoting teenagers who want to get into aviation is called "child abuse". She's clueless.....................:rolleyes:
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Originally Posted by jayray:1164356
Originally Posted by FAULTPUSH
(Post 1164220)
That'll help you avoid court-forced pay cuts.
Frontier pilots took paycuts with smiles on their face. Menke had every reason to love those guys and vice versa. An exec wanting to cut labor and a labor group all to happy to help. Marriage made in heaven. |
Originally Posted by flyguy23
(Post 1164439)
Frontier pilots took paycuts with smiles on their face. Menke had every reason to love those guys and vice versa. An exec wanting to cut labor and a labor group all to happy to help. Marriage made in heaven.
We are still here BOZO and making a descent wage. Until you are in our den and know what really went on to save the company(not just pilots) do not speak half truths and BS! This is about Pinnacle and not F9. For the rest of you at Pinnacle, The top executives should lead by example and in this case unfortunately they are not. Your pain should be their pain as well which is not happening. Good luck to you all. |
Originally Posted by glyde
(Post 1164401)
Here is a link to the actual letter, maybe ALPA can use this to help with the defence of our contract.
WNY delegation on Pinnacle Airlines | WIVB.com Click on a link in the press release. |
Originally Posted by ewrbasedpilot
(Post 1164390)
The BOD are the CLOWNS who approve these ridiculous salaries and parachutes. THEY are resposible for this crap. THEY are ANOTHER part of the PROBLEM. THEY are ALL LOSERS in my opinion. If your company said "here, let me give you a $5 million pay package plus bennies to run this company into BK", would you take it? Of course you would! :mad:
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These Frontier pilots who constantly refer to Menke as a hero, are the same ones who voted to not merge with Southwest Airlines.........IDIOTS!!!
Menke is a total scumbag as he hasn't done one single action to help Pinnacle become a better place. He has not done anything. His entire legacy so far is nothing more than ask for paycuts, and focus on how Pinnacles finances are in poor shape. Union leaders have offered multi times to implement cost saving measures in the form of contractual relief, yet Menke has rejected all of that. Which only makes me believe, he is purposely sinking the ship, or simply on drugs. No CEO would deliberately make the out of control decisions he has made. |
Originally Posted by Liv2soar
(Post 1164520)
These Frontier pilots who constantly refer to Menke as a hero, are the same ones who voted to not merge with Southwest Airlines.........IDIOTS!!!
Not merging with SWA there was a reason to it. Please fill in the rest for me since you know so much. And by the way there was an auction and RAH bid was more than SWA's. Again deflecting the thread away from Pinnacle. |
Originally Posted by HotMamaPilot
(Post 1164433)
I'm just not sure what you all are saying. If I may add, however, I found no sign of this story in the USS(R)A TODAY either. Just not sure why you're singling out FOX?
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Maybe these senators should ST*U until they get paid what they are worth--ZERO! Congress' approval numbers are abysmal and it doesn't seem to stop them from giving themselves raises. Boo-hoo... Our CEO makes a lot of money and I don't... NEWSFLASH--you work at one of the worst regionals. YOU chose to go to work there. Don't like it? Leave.
"He's been here 7 months," time to stop blaming others. Meanwhile the @ss clown in the white house is still blaming "others" for his incompetence. |
I sent emails to my senators asking them to join in with the ones from the Western New York Delegate in denouncing this company and the executives. I urge you all to do the same. It only takes 5 mins.
U.S. Senate Contact Info |
Originally Posted by vtx531
(Post 1164546)
I sent emails to my senators asking them to join in with the ones from the Western New York Delegate in denouncing this company and the executives. I urge you all to do the same. It only takes 5 mins.
U.S. Senate Contact Info |
Originally Posted by HotMamaPilot
(Post 1164436)
I like to think of myself as a voice of reason. Sort of like Joan of arc et al
The point was made that the signatures on the letter were all Democrats. At best, the R's are ignoring the disgusting $$ grab by the Pinnacle execs. As FOX is the mouthpiece of the R party, it is unlikely it will ever be aired on the network. |
Originally Posted by Mojito
(Post 1164541)
Maybe these senators should ST*U until they get paid what they are worth--ZERO! Congress' approval numbers are abysmal and it doesn't seem to stop them from giving themselves raises. Boo-hoo... Our CEO makes a lot of money and I don't... NEWSFLASH--you work at one of the worst regionals. YOU chose to go to work there. Don't like it? Leave.
"He's been here 7 months," time to stop blaming others. Meanwhile the @ss clown in the white house is still blaming "others" for his incompetence. |
Originally Posted by gettinbumped
(Post 1164640)
I'm sure you do. Doesn't make it true. Sarah Palin (FOX correspondent) on the Today show railed against Obama's "socialist policies". When asked if she thought the economy was getting better she replies "For who? (sic). Maybe some Wall Street fat cats!!". The irony is she can't even understand the contradiction of her own statements. Somehow I doubt you do either.
The point was made that the signatures on the letter were all Democrats. At best, the R's are ignoring the disgusting $$ grab by the Pinnacle execs. As FOX is the mouthpiece of the R party, it is unlikely it will ever be aired on the network. And your point about palin? What was it? Exactly. |
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