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Eagle state of the airline update

This was taken from our forum today. I dont know if it true, just passing it along.

Quote:

State of the Airline update (post merger)

Well, good and not so good news. Usually I start with bad news, but I'll do the good, since people might not read all this.

I wasn't at the meeting... but this is a summery of what was said. Second hand info I know... but my company source was there... and is spot on 99.8%. This isn't his theory.... just cliff notes of what was discussed.

First, Winkley WILL NOT METER FLOW THROUGH OR 824 transfers to AA. There are two possible restrictions to this, which will be stated later. Rumors of 75-100 flow throughs per month once AA training steps up. AA (Winkley) suggested all new people will come from Eagle if possible (more on this later).

The positive from this, people moving on, and HUGE amounts of upgrades. Our training department will be ready (time will tell). So, our hiring needs to be huge. upgrade times will drop significantly. One can only guess what a junior captain will be in 18-24 months from now. Perhaps very junior.

Now, the not so good, but not so bad news. Winkley and Garton are still trying to get more positive news, but for now this is it. No word, or suggestion of new planes. For now, management wants as many as possible to flow. Thats about the only good news. We NEED new hires, hundreds of them. Why??? Winkley will not restict the flow or 824, as long as we have new people coming in to replace us. So possible new hires... get here... things will move fast it sounds. So, upgrade times should drop (new people read that again). The only other option to not restrict the flow/824 is to shrink the airline. This may or may not happen... More on that next.

The Bad News: USAir Management sucks. Most of the AMR management will be gone. Garton conceeds he will most likely lose his job as well. Parker wants ONE "president" to oversee all wholy owned regional airlines.

USAir Management will pretty much destroy the AA product. US management is well into the restructuring of AA, and they have told AMR managers, the whole picture is to costly. US wants a LCC. Thats Low Cost Carrier. Parker has already stated the new 777 will be reconfigured. They are "too nice" and will cost too much to operate. He has stated our fuel tracking/fuel scoring will most likely be implented and monitored. He couldn't beileve we have two FMS/FMC's in our planes... again too much cost. The general idea I got, was we (AA/EGL) will be trimmed to nothing. So sadly, instead of making AA a premier product, he wants to trim it to garbage.

So to sum up, we need to HIRE TONS or shrink, and we will get unrestricted flow... even maybe a 100 a month if our staffing or shrinkage supports it. And the "new" American, (LCC/penny pincher) maybe a garbage airline... I sure hope not... but look at the current US... pretty crappy airline.

Well, that rumor section 300+ CA upgrades maybe true....

I can tell you that our current upgrade with this last huge CA award has dropped down to about 6.5 years for the junior guy by the time they reach upgrade training this summer.. And dropping. I am in that group that was CA displaced over a year ago and now just going to training again so I keep a pretty close eye on it. Not too long ago we were at 9-10yrs.

If this does come true, it would push it down significantly more..

I doubt you will lose your chiefs. US Airways has 2 regional airlines. Both have their own Presidents and Vice Pres. Parker doesn't have the time or energy to manage the wholly owned regionals. My prediction is that there will be a merger of Airways and American. Then there will be three regionals under the umbrella.

But.....

From what i hear the Mainline Airways pilots have a combined seniority list that includes PSA/Piedmont pilots. I assume to bring the number of mainline pilots at airways look higher. There has always been rumors of a flow thru from the wholly ownes to mainline but nothing ever became of it.

Parker can run a better airline that Horton. And don't flatter yourself too much. American does have some nice airplanes but you are plagued with some stale old crusty f/a's and gate agents like airways. Personally after reading the non-rev travel for express carriers, Airways system is much better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seafeye (Post 1420022)

Personally after reading the non-rev travel for express carriers, Airways system is much better.

Not even close.. We have had this discussion many times in other threads already.. But the AA system for non rev is far better. Probably one of the best there is. Once you understand how it benefits you priority wise.

People can't seem to look past the "minor" costs with the 1st 5 years of employment. Even though the system and chances you will actually get a seat are far better. Would you rather have a low priority and get stranded and have to buy a hotel, or pay $8 and get a seat home because you are #1 on the list?

I can virtually guarantee I will be number 1 on the standby list on some international route in a foreign country with our system. Even with hoards of other mainline travellers and senior employees because I know how to use the system to my advantage. Times like this are when you really need a system like ours so you don't get stranded.

I am not saying I agree with having to pay a small fee the first 5 years but it is WELL worth it for the priority we can get. It makes all the difference between getting a seat and not getting one. Besides the jump seat is free, and OAL jumping is still free as well. The 5yr thing goes by quick.. Then it's free too.

Pretty sure the majority of the AMR employees would fight to the death to keep our system over what most carriers use.

~lifetime commuter/international commuter

Whatever plan Parker has for AA, it has to be something the BOD is convinced is the best plan. I find it difficult to believe their backing a plan to turn AA into a global Valujet/Peoples Express. Maximizing efficiency and modifying the product to highlight value perhaps, but draconian representations above I don't buy.

"We all fly for regionals, but we are fighting about who's mainline is better!!!!"

Que RJPilot in
3...
2...
1...

I think they will try to flow as many as staffing allows. It seems like the divestiture plan has been sidelined, again. The problem we will have is staffing this airline once the flows really start to leave in addition to those leaving for other carriers. I could see upgrades dropping to 4 years in by this time next years as long as we have a continuous flow of new hires to replace those who will upgrade.

IMHO, I believe this is the main reason AMR decided to diversify its feed. Can you imagine not being able to staff any of your feed because of staffing levels? We may be forced to shrink if we don't get enough new hires in the coming months.

I say: "come on over so I can upgrade!" :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaglefly (Post 1420035)

Just remember that Parker is cut-throat and plays dirty. He declared bankruptcy TWICE at US Air so he could throw out the labor group contracts TWICE.

Despite this I have always felt he is better than anything currently at AMR...including Horton. Especially Arpey.

However, it seems he may be going the way of the Ryan Air CEO and jumping off the deep end. If that is the case I would expect anything from him.

In regards to RJ Pilot...yeah I'm suprised he hasn't rolled his dark clouds into this thread yet. With all the pilots Eagle are trying to hire they would love to find out who this person is that keeps scaring away people on APC.

Good thing I have morals or I would have turned his name in a long time ago. Too bad other people here don't share my ethics. Yes...there is a group of us who know who he is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by embraer (Post 1420058)

But AA is still in Chapter 11 and Parker isn't CEO yet. If he's supposedly belching out all these draconian plans, it would have to be somewhere the BOD wants to go. I'm sure they're finalizing their POR and I'm sure it involves new efficiencies, but as a global network they'll have to offer a competitive product with UAL, DAL and their alliances. I don't think trying to get more people on planes by having standing-only sections or charging customers $5 to take a dump is a POR the AA BOD will accept.