It'll probably happen soon, but why would it be a "good time"? Not sure what you're getting at.

 

We are not being liquidared. Management retracted from that threat.

 

What? They aren't? I would think that would be posted all over the place on here (no this forum is gospel or anything). Since when did they retract that threat?

 

13 February 2014

ALPA MEC Declines to Send Agreement to Our Pilots for a Ratification Vote

Dear Team,



I am extremely disappointed the Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) decided yesterday not to send the Tentative Agreement (TA) to our pilots for a ratification vote. Unfortunately, their decision to deny our pilots a vote means the loss of what would have been a very important opportunity for each individual pilot, our company and all the people who work here.



Before discussing what this means for us moving forward, I want to give you some background about what happened between the time the negotiations began and yesterday’s MEC decision. Beginning last December, our team worked tirelessly with the MEC’s negotiating committee to craft an agreement that not only contained compromises by both sides, but also would have benefited both the company and our pilots. On Jan. 10, the MEC ultimately agreed to what became the Agreement in Principle (AIP). The parties then began working over the last month to develop detailed contract language from the AIP to create the TA.



The TA’s terms addressed each of the most important priorities for our pilots that ALPA identified, while staying within the economic framework supported by company. If ratified by our pilots, it would have: enhanced our pilots’ job security; improved their ability to quickly advance their careers here and at American Airlines with industry-leading flow through; provided us with our first-ever fleet commitment for a minimum of 170 aircraft; and ensured the placement of new, larger regional jets, the Embraer 175s (E175), at our company. The resulting language from this back and forth was deemed satisfactory and in keeping with the AIP by both the company and the MEC’s negotiating committee. This was then sent to the MEC and yesterday they declined to send it out for a pilot vote.



American has now informed us they have no choice but to begin looking for another regional carrier or carriers to operate their E175s. American has held off on making this decision as long as possible, as they wanted to give our pilots the chance to do this flying. This was discussed with ALPA and with yesterday’s MEC decision, American can’t wait any longer and will begin these efforts immediately.



American Eagle Airlines will continue to work toward making our flying operation as competitive as possible while addressing the downsizing of our fleet and related staffing in the coming years. Unfortunately, many difficult decisions will have to be made during this time. We will proceed with retiring some of the smaller aircraft in our current fleet. American can also be expected to look for more economic options to provide regional feed and, eventually, other and more cost-effective carriers will fly the larger aircraft currently on our certificate such as the Bombardier CRJ700s.



While the AIP would have offered our pilots and our flying business a robust future, I do want to stress our company does not and has not relied on flying alone to generate growth and revenue. American Eagle Airlines will remain an airline, even with our reduced flying operation. The ALPA MEC’s statement asking us to provide a timetable for the company's "liquidation" is not something we can provide as we are not planning to shut down the airline. Our ground handling operation continues to thrive and we have added new business and employees there at a rapid pace and will aggressively seek to continue this trend. The MEC’s decision does not change or impact this and opportunities still exist there, but I have no reason to believe American will offer us new large regional jet flying after these unsuccessful negotiations.



I commit to keeping you updated on this process, news and developments as we move forward and as more details are known.



As always, thank you for all of your work on behalf of our customers and company.



Regards,


Pedro

 

They are trying to keep the emb fleet operational until they can be replaced with ejets - that is all that is happening
RAH discovered that promising 175 flying puts butts in the seat UNTIL they learn it will be something smaller - then the newhire walks.
The promise of large RJ flying was a stop gap measure to get people to stay as was the supposed Flow Through provision.
Nothing prevents AAG from promising and taking a few large RJ's to accomplish the short term goal of transitioning from the 140/145 fleet when a critical mass is reached. That is all they care about not some loyalty reward program for pilots who gutted it out and made it work. This kind of thinking will get you a door slam to the derriere in the "end."

 

You are correct they plan on keeping the 145's flying as they are slowly replaced with 175's flown by other regional partners, not Envoy. So no, its not liquidation but its a slow shutdown of L-AE flying.

 

Agreed. They are right on track in parking those 140's. CRJ's are next to be gone starting 2015.

 

Just wondering, has Eagle stopped interviewing and cancelled all new hire classes?

 

Not to my knowledge. But the latest new hire class has 6 eaglets.

 

What would be the thinking behind people wanting to get hired there, build seniority, then eventually be out of a job once AE/Envoy finds others to do their flying?