you have been listening to the management MEC representatives. The MEC at AE does represent the management more than it represents the pilots. And ALPA national knows well.

 

AMR can purchase any aircart it wants of any size, it just can't have it flown under the current SCOPE/rules under tha AA pilot contract but there is nothing that stops them from purchasing the new aircart, APA hasn't agreed to pay or work rules for the 777-300 and those aircraft are scheduled to arrive in a few months, AMR is set to receive many Airbus aircraft fom the 320 family and there aren't pay rates or work rules agreed to yet! Not to mention the 787-900!

 

Of course there's something stopping them and that's judge Lane. I suppose if AMR files a request to spend even more money in this BK and it's granted (and they can find someone to finance such a purchase), they could move to order more aircraft. IMO, to do so now, would just make it look like they expect the Lane to grant their 1113 requests before he even rules. To get court approval, one would think among many things, AMR would have to disclose where they would be going and if not AA, then it would be in violation of CBA's currently in place and thus that would seem to give the APA credibility in their assertion AMR isn't bargaining in good faith just when they need it most (prior to their argument before the court the week after next).

They WILL order some new larger RJ's, I just think it's premature to expect that this week.

 

I am with you that with the while high fivers and making stupid comments, but neither you or I would be surpised if AMR makes such a request in court. AMR managment has been extremely blunt about what they want and an AMR exec was quoted in court this week stating that one of the biggest reasons they filled BK was to null the APA contract to expand code shaing and outsourcing. As far as the RJ order, today AMR managment is holding a meeting with the current fleet managers at Eagle to discuss the proposals they have received from Bimbardier and EMB! But to go as far as saying that an announcement will be presented might be a reach but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

Well, AMR IS in court this week for the sole purpose of seeking to abrogate mainline contracts via 1113 are they not ?

At any rate, I doubt they'd make an aircraft selection within 2 days of discussing the issue with fleet managers. I'd think they'd have to discuss the issue more then just 1 day to ensure they make the right choice. At any rate, I'd hope you accept the fact that for each new E-175 or CRJ-900, it's 10 slots less for new-hires (including 253/824's) at AA and thus the likelyhood of your finding yourself at Eagle 10 years from now and for all intents and purposes a career RJ pilot FAR more likely. Yes, there are other carriers, but AE has 1000 senior pilots prolly too old to compete for the limited slots of the future and as we shrink and AA feeders expand (multiple), Eagle contracts and F/O time in a newer, larger and shinier RJ isn't likely to get one very far. The new shiny RJ's will be great for a year or two and then you'll most likely have a website like RAH after the RJ hangover kicks in. I'd also prepare for the sting of watching many of the RJ's go elsewhere and Eagle not maintaining it's current size as a result. If you're an F/O now, it's very possible you'll still be one in 5 years as the fleet and operator transition occurs. The high-fivers are convinced a glorious utopia is heading their way with a Christmas tree dangling full of of 100-seat jets with good schedules, good pay and retirement nestled under the tree and are breakdancing and moonwalking thru the terminals. The 1113 express for Eagle hasn't left the station yet, but unfortunately you can rest assured others will soon get to watch your gutting with amusement as well.

BTW, have you considered the fact that some in Eagle management may be trumpeting this faster then reality simply to gain more capitulation to the 1113 term sheet ?

Eagle woudn't lead it's wide-eyed pilots around with a milk bone would they ?

Naaahhhhh.

 

For a minute I thought that one could reason with you! I will not sit here and speculate what AMR will do because AMR hasn't shown a plan! They have mentioned their intentions are to bust SCOPE, increase code share and divestify their domestic feed. There is very little that us labor as a whole can do about it. The large majority of Eagle pilots aren't exited about larger airplanes here at Eagle and that APA is the position they are in, but you will have a minority who will troll on these online forums. Please stop attaching other when they just try to reason with you, even tho that vast majority of regional pilots want to be at an airline that flies larger equipment with improved work rules and higher wages we are not all exited for you to loose your job!

 

Well AA couldn't sell eagle so the next best thing would be to grow them. Get them flying longer routes with bigger airplanes. It's just an evolution of regional airlines of the past.
Beech 1900 to
Crj 200 to
Crj 700 to
Crj 900 to
Crj 1000.

It's gonna happen. AA pilots maybe able to hold ground on scope but I put that at about a 10% chance.

 

I think you need to examine your current level of hypersensitivity. I've stated before the high-fivers at Eagle are a minority as far as those who enjoy AA pilot pain, but realistically in my last years there the majority wanted larger RJ's and more RJ's so they either could improve their income or get their PIC.

I wasn't attacking you. My statements in that post about the realities heading for this profession (and Eagle) I stand by, painful as it is for some to acknowledge.

Not sure what part of your post was trying to "reason with me" as it appeared simply as another opinion just like mine. We at AA will lose and ultimately, so will most of those at AE.

 

Agreed. RJ's (and regional carriers) comprise 50% of the domestic market. That will grow and current legacy carrier will shrink.

That was my point.

It's more then clear that the majority of current pilots at regional carriers will stay there for the remainder of their careers. The benefits of retirements at mainline carriers (which won't become significant for another 5 years - provided they don't increase the retirement age to 67 or 70) will be offset by mainline contraction as more and more of that flying is given to regionals.

E-190's and CRJ-1000's can do almost all the domestic work and thus it will be the final stop for many. AMR's 1113 for Eagle has captains maxing out at about 90K/year but the methodology ensures it stays there for at least 7 years.

90K in 2019 is equivalent to about $65K in 2012 and that is the end stop for the majority. That's why I say those who are watching the AA debacle and are looking short-term are missing the REAL message to this profession.

The "Walmartization" of this profession has arrived and amazingly, its arrival is being cheered by many who see only what they want to see. Based on that alone, it cannot fail and won't.

 

How will Mesa come into play if US Air and AMR merge ?

Who flies what, etc ? When its time to furlough (as the new one-merged-entity), what group gets shafted first ?