XJT Rejects SKW's Takeover Bid

[wheelsup]

Jesus, you people are never happy. You're pissed at management when they do a bad job, and now apparently you're pissed when they're doing a good job.

No kidding.

 

[MusketeerMan]

Because that's really something to be proud of. . . from a pilot's point of view.

So, let me get this straight Surreal...it would be better to have a unionized pilot group than a non-union pilot group that is profitable and staying in business?? anic:

I think I get it.

 

[Velocipede]

train,

Here's a thought for you on both the threads we've been chatting on.

Doug's a great guy. But, he's still an F/O. So, he ain't there yet, either.

Just something else to think about.

 

[wheelsup]

Surreal is PCL_128's "mini-me".

 

[derg]

train,

Here's a thought for you on both the threads we've been chatting on.

Doug's a great guy. But, he's still an F/O. So, he ain't there yet, either.

Just something else to think about.

Taylor? I have to look at where I got included in this morass of happy-fun-joy thread.

I'm an FO by choice as I can hold narrowbody captain in two different bases on two different aircraft.

I've already got a PIC type rating or two but I doubt if adding a stripe (which I've already had) or some fuzzy accouterment to the brim of my hat would change my views on anything.

But thanks for playing!

 

[BobDDuck]

train,

Here's a thought for you on both the threads we've been chatting on.

Doug's a great guy. But, he's still an F/O. So, he ain't there yet, either.

Just something else to think about.

The "experience" thing is such a weak argument. Sure, you've got more time/knowledge/skillz/whatever then a Legacy FO who in turn has more time/knowledge/skillz then a regional captain who in turn knows more then a CFI just getting started who knows more then a private pilot who knows more then your average a.netter.

Fine. I agree. But then what if I dig up some guy who just retired from a 757 operation last year. Should I all of the sudden ignore everything you have to say because obviously, you haven't made it yet (on his scale of things) either.

 

[Velocipede]

Doug,

No insult intended. Lots of guys sit the right seat for QoL or $ reasons. Some like the flying they can hold.

But, until you wear the stripe at DAL, you're not there yet. Not that I have any doubt you will be a GREAT skipper when you do.

 

[Velocipede]

I'm not saying anyone's point of view isn't valid. However, it is somewhat laughable when guys on probation in the right seat of an RJ propose to lecture someone with 30 years of military/commercial aviation experience.

 

[Kristie]

not where, in particular? where is "there"?

isn't everyone's "there" different (ie: subjective goal)?

 

[derg]

I'll be skipper almighty!

When I get into JFK I'll have to figure out how (why?) my name got dropped and in what context but hey man, life is good, I'm enjoying the hell out of myself, meeting great people, flying great places and flying a great aircraft. I'm having a hell of a time and I'm not afraid to say it! Life is freaking good. If it all craps out tomorrow, well, I've had a damned good run, made great memories and met a lot of great people.

Everyone defines "arriving" in different ways. I think I have long ago but was previously too cranky to realize it. I probably haven't arrived to you or to anyone else, but that's cool! Everyone defines it differently and there's room for that.

Some folks define it with their first child's birth.

Others define it with marriage.

Some folks can't see the forest for the trees.

Some folks watch the sun set, half are just enjoying the show and the other half are bitching because it's gotten a little nippy in the air and the day flew by.

I never really thought about "arriving" because I'm all about the journey. Speaking of that, off to JFK.

 

[bike21]

Now I know that's not exactly true, but that's what's probably going on if I had to take a bet. Don't let them give you too much crap, a lot of folks are simply stressed out here with the seeming dismantling of the company.

Yep, I agree. I would likely be cranky/weary too. No hard feelings to you ExpressJetters out there.

Jesus, you people are never happy. You're pissed at management when they do a bad job, and now apparently you're pissed when they're doing a good job.

Apparently so. I for one, am proud of my company on many levels. There are some things that need to be worked on, however it is a good place to be call home at the moment.

As a matter of fact, I talked to Mr. Jerry Atkin the other day in DEN for a few minutes and he was the same guy he always is, seemingly genuine and a straight shooter. I even had my hat on that day

I might disagree on the company's union stance with him, as I believe unions and management can indeed happily coexist (seen it done), but he does deserve his pay. He and the SGU gang have ran a good business and keep doing so. Suits me just fine.

 

[Velocipede]

not where, in particular? where is "there"?

isn't everyone's "there" different (ie: subjective goal)?

Kristie,

Very true, but this board is about the airline business. When I was in the Navy and a standardization check airman in the DC-9, even though I was flying civilian model airline internationally, I wasn't "there" yet.

When I spent 7 years as an F/O, I wasn't there yet.

When I finally put on the 4th stripe in the Commercial airline world, I finally arrived at my goal. It took almost 20 years to get there.

I learn something new every day, so I guess you could make the argument I'm still not "there." Believe it or not, I even learn some stuff right here.

One of the things I've learned is that I never represent myself to have all the answers, especially in those areas I have no experience. You'll never see me posting on a CFI thread even though I have thousands of hours of military instructor time.

Its just not appropriate.

JMHO, but the measure of a successful airline career is when you don that 4th stripe at a major airline. You're "there", Baby!

:rawk:

 

[surreal1221]

So, let me get this straight Surreal...it would be better to have a unionized pilot group than a non-union pilot group that is profitable and staying in business?? anic:

I think I get it.

If you go back and look at what I quoted, and then what I bolded that may help.

It has nothing to do with being union or non-union.

But rather that I personally am not too excited to see another "Regional" holding company trying to take on another regional, and all the baggage that comes with it, especially in today's economy.

Mesa is the largest regional powerhouse, and look at the financial shape they are in. I'd hate to see SKW see the same fate.

Does that help?

 

[wheelsup]

Mesa is the largest regional powerhouse, and look at the financial shape they are in. I'd hate to see SKW see the same fate.

By what standard? SkyWest is 2.5x as big in terms of planes and pilots. ExpressJet is 60% bigger. Mesa isn't anywhere near the biggest. But being big doesn't mean you will be in financial distress. In fact SkyWest buying XJT will probably be a good thing for the industry as long as the pilots can get one list eventually. Suddenly 3 competitors become one company. Less competition is better for everyone on our side of the fence.

In addition, CAL is one of the most well off legacies financially, so flying for them would seemingly add stability.

 

[kellwolf]

Well, here's my take on CEO bonuses. Should CEOs still get bonuses based on performance numbers acquired not by themselves, but by the people on the front lines? Now, before you say "yes," remember that those huge bonuses they get every QUARTER come from the same people saying that the rock bottom pilot wages can't be raised b/c there's just no money for it. So, there's money enough for them to take bonuses, but not money to raise wages above the poverty line. I think THIS is what gets a lot of pilots steamed b/c it's so hypocritical. This is the case over here at Pinnacle. The wheels can be falling off, flights cancelled left and right, irregular ops and employees ready to burn the building down, however, those that are supposed to be running the show won't sit up and take notice until their performance bonuses are threatened. THAT, IMO, is not managing the airline properly. So, they get rewarded for doing a poor job.

Now, Skywest at least has profit sharing for their employees, including the pilots. I'd LOVE to see something like that here.

 

[surreal1221]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Mesa provides lift for US Airways, Delta, and United, along with their operation in Hawaii, and further business in China? Am I missing anyone?

Skywest Inc. provides lift for Delta, and United.

ExpressJet Inc. provides lift for Delta, Continental. . .am I missing anyone?

So, overall total resources and the number of contracts, I considered Mesa to be the largest (worldwide resources and staff).

 

[meritflyer]

Surreal, MAG isn't the largest. The most customers is not the equivalent of largest. SkyWest holdings has far more aircraft for Delta, Midwest, and United than Mesa and ExpressJet combined.

 

[inside0ut]

Yes, go ahead and bend over while management continues to take massive bonuses. Have fun with that.

Kind of like how we have a union at our airline where the base salary of the president of the union is over $300,000? While we still have over a thousand greivances outstanding and (the new joke) a website that has "supposed to be open" for the last 2 years, while wasting union dues to do it? Do tell how thats any different.

 

[surreal1221]

Surreal, MAG isn't the largest. The most customers is not the equivalent of largest. SkyWest holdings has far more aircraft for Delta, Midwest, and United that Mesa and ExpressJet combined.

Rog, well. . .if this acquisition occurs I just hope we don't eventually see the same negative financial fate as MAG over the recent month and a half.

Not much more to say than that.

 

[bike21]

Now, Skywest at least has profit sharing for their employees, including the pilots. I'd LOVE to see something like that here.

It certainly is nice and appreciated. I can now bring in an extra 4k a year easy with all my bonuses. Hope you guys get something similar down the road.