over the past year, everyone in the NWA family has been through a lot, including the regionals (especially Mesaba). Now that they are coming out of bankruptcy and they have ordered 76 regional jets, I ask why they keep delaying the announcement of who is going to get them. I really thought the answer would come today with Mesaba getting the 36 CRJ 900's, but nothing was said. I know they already know who is getting the planes, so why not just announce it so people can plan their lives. Now that they haven't announced it, I feel like Pinnacle might still be in the running for them, and to be honest with you, I just want to keep our same fleet size and let Mesaba get planes back so that some of my friends who are layed off can get their jobs back. The perfect situation would be that mainline would do all of that flying for good rates, but we know that can't happen, so I just hope NWA announces the awards soon.

Be Safe everyone and Have a happy holiday.

 

I think NWA will hold their announcement until the head of ALPA signs off on the Mesaba agreement.

 

wha..... wha..... wha..... on side note that was the most pointless post I have heard lately.... get used to it announcements are never made on time; this industry is a b!tch and despite our unionisitc wishes that every one can be happy and do well, it's dog eat dog out there... So honestly I hope we here at 9E do get the 900's maybe then some of us can upgrade and move on and progress can be made... (btw yes I have had a few and yes I'm grouchy) as for XJ best of luck (but so much for no concessions) if it was me I would have had some bal!s and burned the house down... and on a side note I can't wait until some more mainlines open up.... get on with my life.... but anyways happy holidays to all.. BTW FTROOPPILOT that avatar of yours taken from inside a WB-57X I'm guessing??? did you do some flying for NASA or just an avatar??? just curious......

 

Three years USAF RB-57F Pilot. "Self portrait" taken with a 19MM wide angle Cannon Pellix Camera in 1969. Note how dark it is straight up in daytime.

 

Im not sure who will get the flying but Pinnacle has had 3 classes in 2 months with another class starting Monday. And from what I hear there may be up to 2 more classes before the end of the year. Things are moving around here and I'm guessing management knows something that we do not.

 

HAHA! Ok, I'm not trying to be mean here... but what airline management DOESN'T know something that the pilots don't...

 

Very True.

 

Pinnacle just came to UND this past week and hired a 280TTer. Somehow i am thinking they are just a little short on pilots.........

 

The thing that a lot of people need to understand is that we don't have a contract, and we don't have pay rates for 70 seaters, so therefore we will not be getting 70 seat aircraft until we have a pay scale for them. Unless management and our union come to a shocking agreement soon, these planes are not coming to us. MAybe the picketing on the 5th will help. There is the possiblity for more 50 seaters if NWA wants to expand regional flying in other places besides the three main hubs. AS far as hiring people with 250 hours, its b.s., no matter what school you come from. 600 hours should be the extreme minimun, but it should be 1000 hours, just to get experience before you are 35000 in the air going 500 mph. I hope these low time people know that although they have an airline job, our check airmen are really testing these people in the sim and on the line, and don't come here expecting to upgrade anytime soon. If you have 250 hours and flew 1000 hours a year which very hard to do, you would upgrade in 3 years with our 3000 hour requirement. So plan on at least 4 years to upgrade.

 

I hope we get the -900's! the only problem I can see arising is the shortage of pilots and captains. Sure we got plenty of guys/gals who can upgrade but the 3000 hour mark may be a hard thing to get by for enough captains for 36 jets plus attrition. It is possible for the time to get dropped to maybe 2500tt with 500 in type. I dont know if this is just an insurance thing or mgmt- anybody know? I am sure a contract will happen before the jets show up, even now if the pilot group strikes NWA is screwed! This is a very interesting time and I hope all works out. As far as the low timers- I cant talk as a high timer (hired with 915tt/240multi) but I think 600/100 should be the BARE minimum.