PSA New Hire class. . .

[surreal1221]

Okay, just wanted to see what your thoughts of what a "traditional regional/commuter" were.

The system of whipsawing and outsourcing flying out from under twenty different companies are done I believe. The aviation infrastructure (if a hub and spoke system remains - which it will) is certainly in a for a readjustment in the number of operating "regionals."

The music hasn't stopped yet, but the chairs are certainly starting to get removed prior to the stop.

[granlistillo]

Originally Posted by gtpilot

That's odd - our indoc instructor declared 'No Child Left Behind!' so it was hard not to pass. As for cheating, I have yet to do a type rating (or college class for that matter) that did not have 'Word' passed on from previous students to 'study' from, usually with the 'wink, wink' from the instructor.

If anyone can share details, would love to hear it wasn't over something like this.

Sure there are instructors that give really detailed foot stomping reviews, and then there is gouge. Then there is crossing the line.
I got off the plane 2day and the oncoming FO taking his 1st ioe flt. Talked to him a bit and he just blurted out "yeah 10 of my classmates got fired for cheating". Don't have any opinion on the record if a surplus of pilots had any sway on the decision. The only people I know that have gotten fired, were fired for lying (and now apparently cheating.)

[joliet]

Especially when your sim partner is an instructor, and he washes out, but you make it!

Who knows man, I think we will be fine. How's business.

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by granlistillo

I got off the plane 2day and the oncoming FO taking his 1st ioe flt. Talked to him a bit and he just blurted out "yeah 10 of my classmates got fired for cheating".

Wait, was that at PSA? The 10 guys that got fired just got tossed recently. The one survivor (and only 9 were removed, not 10) hasn't even started sim yet.

Originally Posted by joliet

Especially when your sim partner is an instructor, and he washes out, but you make it!

Again, if this was PSA, I'm thinking I know who it was. He's had something like 40 sim sessions before he got booted.

[FlyChicaga]

Originally Posted by TUCKnTRUCK

Meaning EAS carriers, where a contract is awarded, and there is single service to the airport.

Having some flying that is untouchable in the days of consolodation. Mainline isn't going to pharm out your EAS flying, as it was awarded to your company.

I realize the last post sounds like i'm instigating, but just meant not everybody is in the hot seat...

Air Midwest to Shut Down Passenger Operations

May 14, 2008 10:00 AM EDT

PHOENIX, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Midwest, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MESA) today announced that it will discontinue all operations including its current scheduled services provided under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. This announcement follows the company's January 15, 2008 announcement of the decision to discontinue Air Midwest's operations. The company cites record-high fuel prices, insufficient demand and a difficult operating environment as the main factors in its decision.

Air Midwest began filing notices with the Department of Transportation (DOT) of its intent to terminate EAS beginning over a year ago. "Although we are unable to continue to provide service, Air Midwest plans to cooperate with the DOT and any replacement carriers in the interest of lessening the impact on the communities affected," said Greg Stephens, Air Midwest's President.

[wheelsup]

Don't forget, Colgan is losing money hand over fist too.

The Company's financial performance for the quarter was negatively affected by two primary issues. First, Colgan Air, Inc. ("Colgan"), the Company's turboprop aircraft operating subsidiary, recorded an operating loss of approximately $5 million. The loss is almost entirely caused by recent significant increases in fuel costs affecting the entire airline industry. Colgan's average cost per gallon of fuel increased 54% as compared to the first quarter of 2007, adding approximately $3.9 million in fuel costs. Colgan's financial performance is also affected by seasonal changes in demand, with unit revenue typically weaker in the first quarter each year as compared to the second and third quarters.

[...source...]

Also, wasn't Bigsky EAS as well? Look what happened to them.

[MattB]

Myron;

No, Piedmont pilots did not get the same email or anything similar to it.

[kellwolf]

Yeah, I'm not sure there ARE an "traditional" regionals left past maybe Commutair and Great Lakes. I wouldn't even consider Colgan a traditional regional now that they're flying the Q400. Just b/c it's got turboprops doesn't mean it's traditional. That thing seats more than a CRJ-200. Mesaba isn't a traditional regional since they fly -200s and -900s.

Like Wheelsup mentioned, Colgan is losing $5 million a QUARTER, and the bean counters are pointing to the EAS service as the reason, hence the re-bid. I think EVERYONE is in jeopardy right now, now matter what level they are on the totem pole.

[deadstick]

Maybe add Cape Air to that list. Don't they have an ATR operation in the Pacific for CAL?

Also, this industry seems to be funny with accounting and numbers. DAL and NWA posted hugh losses, but only a fraction of it was due to fuel. The rest was, I believe, written as a loss on the stock value that they decided to take. Personally, it looked like a move to help the merger ("Please DOJ, we are a poor airline losing money every day. The only way to save our companies and the jobs is to merge.") I could be wrong, but I thought I read one number when the quarterlies were initially released, and then the BIG $$ loss soon afterwards. The "trick" is to continue to run a company into bankruptcy, cancel the unprofitable contracts, and renegotiate the others. Then "poof," the airline has a new life with new CPAs and new labor contracts.

Everybody is "Touchable."

I was really trying hard to make an airline paraphrase of Connery's "THAT's the Chicago way" speech, but I just can't make it work right now.

Hang on everybody. This ride is going to last for more than 8 seconds.

[kellwolf]

Good call. In fact, Cape Air might actually be closer to what regionals used to be than any of them. Forgot about them.

As far as bankruptcies, the reason Delta and NWA did it when they did was b/c the rules were changing soon. Like the day or week after they filed soon. I think it's harder to get those contracts tossed out now under the new rules.

[granlistillo]

Originally Posted by joliet

Especially when your sim partner is an instructor, and he washes out, but you make it!

Who knows man, I think we will be fine. How's business.

Darn it, did he get booted? I feel very bad for him, but he had not flown an actual airplane in like 15 yrs.

Bidness is good, but that is now the wife's gig... At least she still says "our money", most of the time.

[granlistillo]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

Wait, was that at PSA? The 10 guys that got fired just got tossed recently. The one survivor (and only 9 were removed, not 10) hasn't even started sim yet.



Again, if this was PSA, I'm thinking I know who it was. He's had something like 40 sim sessions before he got booted.

Yes to both.
As far as the "survivor" I am not saying your wrong, just what the guy told me Tuesday at DCA.

[joliet]

Pilots interested in an LOA for June, must email/contact one of two chief pilots by the end of business today, 5/15.

[JimmyDean]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Also, wasn't Bigsky EAS as well? Look what happened to them.

Big Sky did not go bankrupt; the holding company decided to liquidate and dissolve itself.

We were still losing money like it was going out of style.