I don't think it's the seat restriction, I think it's the number of aircraft with a "subsidiary." Remember, the scope clause was written when Compass was formed and Mesaba was an independent contractor. Now, NWA has TWO subisdiary regional airlines. I think this is what the mainliners are referring to:
Under the deal, the new regional airline could fly as many as 90 jets; however, for each airplane it assigns to the unit, Northwest would have to place an airplane certified for 77 passengers or more with the mainline and staff it with Northwest Airlines pilots. Furloughed Northwest pilots would also win first rights to all flying jobs created by the new regional subsidiary.
Meanwhile, independent regional affiliates such as Pinnacle Airlines and Mesaba may add up to 55 jets certified to carry between 51 and 76 seats, although Northwest can increase the limit by adding jets with 77 seats or more. Under the deal, furloughed Northwest pilots would gain access to half of the new jobs created by any more regional jets Northwest leases to its regional affiliates.
So, essentially, NWA needs to add 36 planes in the 77+ seat arena and staff it with NWA employees to balance out the 36 76 seat planes it's adding to its new subsidiary. The scope doesn't specifiy "Compass" or "Mesaba." Personally, I'd be fine with the -900s going to Mesaba and the 170s converting to 190s for mainline. Sure, I'd like to see more flying at PCL, but 1) we can't staff what we have and 2) I don't want to get it at the expense of another company. Mesaba is still reeling from the sham bankruptcy beating they took.
Someone on another board made a good point, though. No management person can say that Mesaba got this because of lower pilot wages. Their concessionary contract is better than what we have now and what management is proposing. If one took the "pilot pay" way of looking at at, WE should have gotten it instead of them as we make less. Hell, if they offered us Mesaba's TA, I'd consider taking it. I didn't think it was a good deal for Mesaba b/c of the number of "ifs" in the contract, but it's still better than what they're tossing our way right now.
As for the financing issue, we've got $200million plus in the bank thanks to selling off an interest in NWA that we got from the new ASA. When asked why that money couldn't be spent to help get a new pilot contract, management said they wanted to use some of that for potential financing with a flying partner. Game isn't over yet. However, if no new flying comes in the next couple of months and that money just sits in the bank, there'll be hell to pay.....
