ComputerGuy

I thought the way the Q came to Colgan was that Continental approached Colgan, and initially Colgan turned it down because they lacked the capital to aquire the aircraft. The offer on the table from Continental was what sparked Pinnacle's interest in Colgan in the first place. If that's true, it's not clear that Pinnacle would've had the opportunity in the first place, since Continental may have approached another airline with the opportunity instead. Hence the aquisition.

ComputerGuy

I must say, that makes perfect sense to me.

JetJock16

That's why 3-4 year fences are always put into place.

nicholasblonde

So 3-4 year fence basically equals a seat/certificate lock, right?

I really really really hope to God all the Colgan pilots are locked onto their current equipment/certificate for at least 2 years.

I think the best example of a "down the road" Colgan/9E operation would be RAH, where you're hired into a certificate, but once you're assigned an a/c you're locked on that equipment for 2 years.

But initially, you're going to have some steamed FOs over here at 9E if some Colgan captains come in and steal our upgrades....the hope of which is the only thing we have going for us, with our FO wages.

Honestly, I would fully support it if ALPA used this ruling as a bargaining chip with mgmt...i.e. offer to leave things how they are if mgmt signs a good contract. Use the ruling as leverage, but don't let the lists ever get merged.

JetJock16

Kind of, it works both ways. A Colgan pilot can still move between Colgan’s B1900’s, Saab’s and Q’s as well as all of Colgan’s current bases. What it will prevent is a Colgan pilot taking an RJ slot at a 9E base for 3-4 years and the same for a 9E pilot. The 9E pilot can move between the CR2 & CR9 in MSP, MEM, DTW and ATL but they can not accept and FO or CA’s position on any of Colgan’s current equipment in any of Colgan’s bases.

But once the fences are over it's all for themselves. Whatever you can hold you can have.

As far as RAH's contract restrictions, I've heard nothing but heartache from some of RAH's pilots over it. Getting stuck in a domicile/AC when you could have better QOL on the another AC/certificate, but because you have a blended BS pay rate you're stuck until upgrade. Think about this, you’re working the CHQ cert on the E in DEN when you’re wife gets a job in ATL. Now you’re forced to commute even though your company has an ATL domicile (that your # can hold) on the a/c you currently fly. But you’re stuck on the CHQ cert because of your contract and seeing that your already flying the highest paying a/c in the fleet, you can never switch certs and therefore screwed.

I like that here at SKW we have LOTS of domiciles to choose between and if you want you can move back and forth between a/c & domicile as you wish. There is a 1 year seat lock on a/c but no base lock unless you turn down an award then you're locked for 6 months. As a matter of fact we just had an RJ CA accept an EMB CA slot. Here at SKW all a/c are viewed equally.

aFflIgHt

I sure opened a can of worms -- I agree with the logic that the pilots must be merged fairly -- if the ruling states that they cannot be operated seperately -- then they must be joined because of a purchase that happened in the past, ALPA is no longer a question for Colgan guys, its a fact, they were bought by an ALPA company; as a union pilot group fair integration is a must.

Thanks for all the information from eveyone and hopefully we will hear some news soon!!

nicholasblonde

I just hope that a) This takes at least 3-6 months to happen (merging of any lists, that is), and b) There are fences in place lasting at least 1 or 2 years so I can upgrade before Colgan captains come flooding in for RJ Capt slots and knock out all those DTW capt vacancies...

Anyone have a guestimate on how long after the ruling is issued before they actually get the lists put together??? I would hope it will take at least another 3-5 months or so before the lawyers/MEC Chair/etc sets up the transition.

Any chance they would send the Q400s onto the 9E certificate? I hope that doesn't happen...it would be a junior a/c and I don't have hardly any seniority.

ExperimentalAB

I don't know dude - I'd take that Q over the CRJ-200 any day of the week...

zoom

As long as the pay was the same for all 76 seat A/C I would completely agree with ya on that one. The Q is a nice plane.

I am hoping that this decision will only expedite the much needed contract with the 9E guys and let Colgan enjoy what they already have going for them. That would seem to ruffle the least amount of feathers.

It is interesting to note that a lot of Colgan guys/girls did not even take the time to vote on when giving the opportunity to unionize. . . . .

flyguyniner11

i'm pretty happy on the saab, although i'd love to make more money on the crj is this whole thing goes through and that is possible