Is Pinnacle the next ComAir?
09-04-2012 | 01:56 PM
#71
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From: Airbus button pusher
This could be true except .. the new 9E is being built as a purely CR9 operation. The current group of CR9 captains, and many senior MSP FO's have no plans on leaving, no matter how bad things get. They are lifers with only a few years left, and they will ride the gravy train til the end, or until DL hires them. These guys are incredibly costly to employ compared to CP or GoJet, and a 25% pay cut will not change the fact that you have a large group of guys topped out on pay/vacation/401/sick/high insurance costs.
09-04-2012 | 03:24 PM
#73
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This could be true except .. the new 9E is being built as a purely CR9 operation. The current group of CR9 captains, and many senior MSP FO's have no plans on leaving, no matter how bad things get. They are lifers with only a few years left, and they will ride the gravy train til the end, or until DL hires them. These guys are incredibly costly to employ compared to CP or GoJet, and a 25% pay cut will not change the fact that you have a large group of guys topped out on pay/vacation/401/sick/high insurance costs.
09-04-2012 | 05:46 PM
#74
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From: B737 FO
I don't blame anyone for sticking around, its tough to find a job. But its the reason a lot of the airlines with the better contracts are finding themselves unable to compete with GoJets, Silver and the like. Majors want the cheapest bidder, not the regional airline with lots of guys at the top of the pay scale.
09-04-2012 | 05:57 PM
#75
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From: Slingin' Gear & Drinkin' Beer
Yes Pinnacle senior guys are a lead anchor, but the biggest problem is the inefficiencies. Pilots who are seat swapping only to not fly for 4 months while they are paying others 200% due to short staffing is more of the real issue. Pay differences of only 5-10 per hour isn't really that large in the grand scheme of things. Jet fuel is the real drag. The simple fact that the true CASM is considerably more than RASM is a deal killer.
Pinnacles big problem is they have way too many CRJ-200's with a handful of 900's. 200's simply are not profitable. Delta can't keep on flying routes that are a financial drain year after year. Tickets are bought no more than 6-9 months in advance. I see Delta winding down the 200 operation quickly. You just can't keep running an unprofitable branch of an operation.
Pinnacles big problem is they have way too many CRJ-200's with a handful of 900's. 200's simply are not profitable. Delta can't keep on flying routes that are a financial drain year after year. Tickets are bought no more than 6-9 months in advance. I see Delta winding down the 200 operation quickly. You just can't keep running an unprofitable branch of an operation.
09-04-2012 | 06:25 PM
#76
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From: B737 FO
Yes Pinnacle senior guys are a lead anchor, but the biggest problem is the inefficiencies. Pilots who are seat swapping only to not fly for 4 months while they are paying others 200% due to short staffing is more of the real issue. Pay differences of only 5-10 per hour isn't really that large in the grand scheme of things. Jet fuel is the real drag. The simple fact that the true CASM is considerably more than RASM is a deal killer.
Pinnacles big problem is they have way too many CRJ-200's with a handful of 900's. 200's simply are not profitable. Delta can't keep on flying routes that are a financial drain year after year. Tickets are bought no more than 6-9 months in advance. I see Delta winding down the 200 operation quickly. You just can't keep running an unprofitable branch of an operation.
Pinnacles big problem is they have way too many CRJ-200's with a handful of 900's. 200's simply are not profitable. Delta can't keep on flying routes that are a financial drain year after year. Tickets are bought no more than 6-9 months in advance. I see Delta winding down the 200 operation quickly. You just can't keep running an unprofitable branch of an operation.
09-04-2012 | 06:47 PM
#78
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It is really not the 200, that plane makes money under the right circumstances. The issue is none of the legacy carriers have done any significant hiring in the last 10 years. This creates 2 problems. One is that pilots are stuck at regionals for a long time, thus increasing their seniority and pay. Second, once said pilots get to that top payscale at the regional they start to get in the mindset of "its not worth it" when they look at the paycut and QOL hits they would take if they went from RJ Captain to Mainline FO.
It's not like my current employer was my dream job, in fact, they've only been around for a few years. I would have preferred to stick around until Delta or American hired, but the changing dynamics of 9E has forced many pilots out. I took the first opportunity to get out, and have no regrets. I'm also not 'above' any LCC/major when it comes to working for them. In this industry, it's the luck of the draw, and I consider myself fortunate. But all that starts with a mentality that is to get out. For some at 9E, it came too late. Best of luck to all, and I hope pilots can get out sooner rather than later.
09-04-2012 | 08:12 PM
#79
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From: 737 Left
There are guys that considered themselves 'above' a place like Spirit, VA, and JetBlue. Ok then. Good luck until Delta or American calls.
It's not like my current employer was my dream job, in fact, they've only been around for a few years. I would have preferred to stick around until Delta or American hired, but the changing dynamics of 9E has forced many pilots out. I took the first opportunity to get out, and have no regrets. I'm also not 'above' any LCC/major when it comes to working for them. In this industry, it's the luck of the draw, and I consider myself fortunate. But all that starts with a mentality that is to get out. For some at 9E, it came too late. Best of luck to all, and I hope pilots can get out sooner rather than later.
It's not like my current employer was my dream job, in fact, they've only been around for a few years. I would have preferred to stick around until Delta or American hired, but the changing dynamics of 9E has forced many pilots out. I took the first opportunity to get out, and have no regrets. I'm also not 'above' any LCC/major when it comes to working for them. In this industry, it's the luck of the draw, and I consider myself fortunate. But all that starts with a mentality that is to get out. For some at 9E, it came too late. Best of luck to all, and I hope pilots can get out sooner rather than later.
09-04-2012 | 09:20 PM
#80
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This could be true except .. the new 9E is being built as a purely CR9 operation. The current group of CR9 captains, and many senior MSP FO's have no plans on leaving, no matter how bad things get. They are lifers with only a few years left, and they will ride the gravy train til the end, or until DL hires them. These guys are incredibly costly to employ compared to CP or GoJet, and a 25% pay cut will not change the fact that you have a large group of guys topped out on pay/vacation/401/sick/high insurance costs.
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