Because the Mesaba flow is NOT a traditional flow (read: FLUSH).

Fairly certain, though it has been some time since I checked, that a mainline flowback pilot would give up their NWA seniority number if they choose to accept a flowback position at Compass.

I don't see 12-14 spots at Mesaba being much of an issue (save for the unfortunate 12-14 FOs that are right on the line with whatever Mesaba's eventual furlough may look like.).

Anybody have opinions on management's end game as to why the Compass flowback is structured the way it is? Save the obvious of decreasing the mainline's labor costs by shoving well paid DC-9 pilots out the door into a lower paid 76 seater. What is management's power play? Perhaps, "You can keep your seniority, but you need to let us have more 76 seaters?" Opinions on how it will play out once the Compass planes are full of mainliners?

Just checked the contract... NWA flowbacks do not have to give up their NWA system seniority #. They'd start at Step 2 pay for CA or Step 4 pay for FO, unless they were less than that already at NW.

So the seniority thing is off the table....

That's not good for the Compass folk one bit. It makes it much easier to take the flowback if you give nothing up. Some pay is better than no pay... But, would you make more with unemployment than at Compass if you were furloughed from the mainline?

My question was not in the context of "flow agreement." It refered to the previous post question of what happens if the Mesaba (or Compass, etc) pilot list is stapled to a merged NWA/Delta pilot list. All of a sudden 1,200 pilots (some with 10,000 hours and 15 years who never wanted to go to a major) are junior to the newest DC9 FO.

Sure would keep the sim instructors busy - oops, sorry they would be junior and have to go back to the line as FOs.

Not if you are furloughed while on probation at NWA.

Some of those same pilots will be out of a job anyway if we furlough right? So wouldnt it be better when recall happens that they could come back to mainline instead of Compass? Especially if they can come back to the new DAL where longevity is accrued while on furlough. They would come back making more money then they would ever make at compass even if its as a mainline FO.

I highly doubt they will do anything other than just add the flowbacks to the list and be captain heavy on the 900 or 200. The main reason is because the bottom 10-15 captains on the 900 and 200 were FO's. Displacing them back to saab CA is going to be expensive and even more expensive if the street captains get displaced and choose to be jet FO's.

They can't do that, due to the all-mohawk agreement they can't staple us. There has to be some form of seniority integration.

I don't ever see a staple being done with Mesaba unless there are some strong fences to protect the xj pilots. Many of us are lifers and would fight tooth and nail from being displaced to a FO position. Who cares if it's on heavier iron, I don't care to be a chamelion for some crusty ol mainliner. I want my days off, vacation and QOL and enjoy my time on the SAAB. Someday maybe even one of those machines with the props hidden in two coors cans.