Comair the end?

Good luck comair. No matter what the reasons given are, I believe it was basically the most penalty free way for Delta to reduce some 50 seaters in the system.

Almost nothing you can do in this career to affect your outcome. Right place right time, or wrong place wrong time.
 
:yeahthat:
Hootie said:
Good luck comair. No matter what the reasons given are, I believe it was basically the most penalty free way for Delta to reduce some 50 seaters in the system.

Almost nothing you can do in this career to affect your outcome. Right place right time, or wrong place wrong time.
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:yeahthat:

Could be any of us. Comair used to be "the place to be". It doesn't take long for things to turn south in a hurry. All the more reason for us to work together as a community to help those when we can. That's what makes this place different from trailblazer and APC.

As much as it's nice to help those who aren't quite in the industry yet, let's help those who "made it" and through no fault of there own find themselves in a hard spot. It really could be any of us.
 
Does anyone else see this as a sign of things to come for all REGIONALS? It is obvious none of the mainline carriers want the 50 seat CRJ's. It sounds like DAL plans to get rid of the CHQ 50 seat RJs with their contract coming close to expiring as well. Obviously a real kick in the gut of those at Comair due to managements major failure once again to know what is happening. They hire like crazy and furlough. They recall a great amount to announce a 50% cut in fleet by 2012. Maybe by 2012 that team will finally get something right?

I just see this as a NOTICE to all regional pilots out there whom fly for a company with 50 seat RJ's.... They are all on their way out, and lets just HOPE mainline pilots do not relax scope and maybe they will hire and free some spots out of the regionals up for us to stick around...... PSA, AE, AWAC, CHQ, ASA, Skywest, Express Jet etc etc.... Obviously the wholly owns more then the contract carriers.... But it is very eye opening to me right now..

I guess I am just hoping that since COMAIR is losing this flying it finds its way back to Mainline and not ASA, Skywest or another regional..... If we are reducing a regional lets put the flying back at Mainline at least.... Although still a blow in the gut none the less to the comair folks.... :(
 
Knew it was coming when DL wanted to reduce 50 seaters in the system. It was just a matter of when and how much. This came straight from the top(DL), with the spin that the decision was made by Comair management. Management will be meeting with the IAM,IBT, and ALPA to open contract negotiations early for those that will still be here after the personnel reductions. Each department had their own little pow wows to discuss how the news directly affected them. We've got a new contract to do Mesaba's Heavy MX till next May, so that will help out on the mx side. This is definitely going to get interesting to say the least!:rolleyes: I'm not eligeable for any voluntary packages. They're trying to prevent a mass exodus of experienced employees that the company want's to keep.
 
Cptnchia said:
I think it's rather noble of him to take such an ulturistic concern in other peoples' careers that he feels the need to save them from their delusions.:rolleyes:


I'm sure that there is no gloating or bleating going on.:sarcasm:
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SteveC said:
Altruistic

:pirate:
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personally, I think it's a great word. altruistic + ulterior = ultruistic.

a selfless concern for others with a hidden motive. hence :sarcasm:

Norm Crosby would be proud.
 
Wow, makes me feel nice and safe to know my company still has over 200 50 seaters or less.. :rolleyes:

I hate this business.
 
Ultimately, what I would like to see are all aircraft flown under one contract and a single pilot group for a particular brand. The new hire position becomes the smallest jet on property and if a new candidate thinks a CRJ-700 is "beneath" him, well, there are other career options one can choose. That should end the "whipsaw", but management does not want to loose the ability to subcontract flying and have capacity providers compete to provide the cheapest lift.

Sadly, I heavily doubt if this is the end. For better or for worse, depending on further relaxation of scope to replace the loss of 50-seat airframes with larger, more economic jets is wishful thinking.

I'd heavily suggest preparing yourself to be eligible for moving up the food chain when appropriate and even though new student starts are down and the pool of labor that find conditions to work at the airlines acceptable has massively shrunk, it's going to be a hyper-competitive market so make sure you're competitive and prepared for the opportunities as they arise.

And they're out there. The market is bad, but good people with strong qualifications that are well-networked will be just fine. There are a more than a few CMR guys here whose karma bank has more than overflowed during the years who will be just fine if they keep their head up. They know who they are! ;)

As we've always said before, keep yourself well-networked, make more friends than enemies, keep your head up, your ears open and prepare yourself for success.
 
Well this really sucks big time. Guess I'll be coming to Vegas for more than just socializing next month. :cool: I too just came back from recall and now this. I don't know of many pilots that get furloughed from the same airline in less than a year. I'm glad I'm off today, don't think I'd be fit to fly today. Wonder how its going to be flying for another 6 to 8 months? Should I go down with the ship or take the first job offer I can find ASAP? Obviously lots of questions.

I was actually hoping we would get sold. Even if an airline were to buy only our airframes, obviously they would need pilots to fly them and hopefully give us first dibs at that. But this is even worse than being sold. I can't imagine sitting around another 18 months like I did before.

Note: Trailblazer was indeed banned from APC for the exact same things he's saying on here now.
 
The word that I've heard (and I've heard many words today) is that Delta is planning on replacing the Comair lift at mainline. I think I read that in a press release, I can't be sure. What I can be sure of is that I didn't read it on a forum.
 
saxman said:
Well this really sucks big time. Guess I'll be coming to Vegas for more than just socializing next month. :cool: I too just came back from recall and now this. I don't know of many pilots that get furloughed from the same airline in less than a year. I'm glad I'm off today, don't think I'd be fit to fly today. Wonder how its going to be flying for another 6 to 8 months? Should I go down with the ship or take the first job offer I can find ASAP? Obviously lots of questions.

I was actually hoping we would get sold. Even if an airline were to buy only our airframes, obviously they would need pilots to fly them and hopefully give us first dibs at that. But this is even worse than being sold. I can't imagine sitting around another 18 months like I did before.

Note: Trailblazer was indeed banned from APC for the exact same things he's saying on here now.
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Well I was not furloughed as a pilot but I was furloughed (F/A) from AA twice in less than a year. It sucked. My heart goes out to you and all the Comair folks affected by this.
 
Buster Cherry said:
The word that I've heard (and I've heard many words today) is that Delta is planning on replacing the Comair lift at mainline. I think I read that in a press release, I can't be sure. What I can be sure of is that I didn't read it on a forum.
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What does that mean for Comair in the big picture? Thank you!
 
From DeltaNet:

Wholly owned Delta Connection carrier Comair is continuing its efforts to lower its cost structure with an aggressive plan to reduce its fleet, align employee staffing to a smaller operation and secure more competitive long-term agreements with its employee unions.

In a memo to employees Wednesday, Comair President John Bendoraitis told employees the carrier will accelerate the reduction of its aging, less-efficient fleet of 50-seat aircraft during the next two years while retaining its CRJ-700 and 900 aircraft. Comair also will realign its employee base during the next two years to what is needed to run a 44-aircraft operation, and work to secure new, competitive agreements with its labor unions.

“Our need to change is significant, and the scope of change will be difficult but necessary,” John told employees in a memo. “Our current cost structure - which remains approximately 20% higher than our peers on a cost-per-block-hour basis - does not enable us to be competitive in the current industry environment. To secure our future, we need to demonstrate our ability to operate as a standalone entity. We must be able to earn a profit while reducing our operating costs to what the market is willing to pay for our services.”

The adjustments will not directly result in any changes to the Cincinnati flight schedule or work performed by mainline Delta employees. Delta has committed to operate approximately 160 to 175 peak-day departures from CVG this year.

“Delta has announced previously our goal to reduce the use of less efficient 50-seat aircraft in our network in order to improve the overall efficiency of the fleet and expand the amount of service offered to domestic customers using the larger, two-class jets they prefer,” said Don Bornhorst, s.v.p.-Delta Connection. “Our goal is to ensure that each partner airline is independently positioned for success with a competitive cost structure.”

Comair said that all departments and areas, including operational and support, will be impacted by the staffing reductions, including leadership. The number of reductions will vary by department, and Comair leaders will be meeting with union leaders to explore their interest in offering voluntary exit packages for contract employees. For merit employees, Comair will offer severance packages that include financial and career assistance, as well as voluntary exit packages for scale employees.
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Odd how the spin is about 'lowering costs' in order to give a shot across the bow to industry-wide regional labor when, in fact, they're more or less just shutting the company down.

Spin City, folks.
 
isn't there someone around the house that might have some answers? (hint!)
 
JumpWake said:
Seriously?

258Troll_spray.jpg
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The avatar is the greatest man! My wife let me see the youtube clip and it is the one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time.

Well it sucks, but life goes on. I thought I was going to be all pissy today but my 2 year son had me cracking up all day and got my mind off what has happened. Moving on is what I'll be doing I guess. It was fun. Unless I get a corporate job or hired at a major b4 it's all over, I'm done with it. I'd rather shoot myself in my junk b4 going back to another regional to start over. Tonight will be a Johnny Walker Blue label night.
 
Doug Taylor said:
Ultimately, what I would like to see are all aircraft flown under one contract and a single pilot group for a particular brand. The new hire position becomes the smallest airplane on property and if a new candidate thinks a small plane is "beneath" him, well, there are other career options one can choose. That should end the "whipsaw", but management does not want to loose the ability to subcontract flying and have capacity providers compete to provide the cheapest lift.
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Edited to fit my "love all, serve all" ideal for the industry.

We all knew the 50 seaters were oversubscribed, but it's still a bummer that the industry chews up and spits us out.

Best of luck to all of those affected.
 
This is a sad day.

Once our recalls are completed and we start hiring (plans for the next few months per the email from our MEC), I'd be glad to do my best to help anyone I can if they are interested.
 
Really feel bad for the guys over at Comair. I have always had a positive experience jump seating on them. Good luck to you guys finding greener pastures!


This was a mean game of Russian roulette when DAL announced they were removing 100 50 seaters over the next 2 years. Freedom had 22 leaving in August, Chataqua has about the same when their contract is up, and that left some one needing to get rid of 50 or so airframes. With the sale of XJ and CP it was like the Cylinder stopped for OH.



Hopefully something good can happen for you guys soon.
 
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