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03-07-2002, 03:16 PM

Tony,

Thanks for your opinions and your view on it as a US pilot. Since I am merely an outsider looking at the overall picture of what is going on at US, I apologize if I came off as having an axe to grind. However, there is still a large gap to be filled between the pilots and management if there is to be a compromise made that will enable the company to restructure and be viable going forward.

You mention the RJ agreement and there are some issues with that. Yes, US can contract out RJ flying from third party carriers, but this is not always the best thing to do. Most carriers require a guaranteed margin or "Cost Plus" contract, and this can get quite expensive, turning what could have been a profitable market into a mediocre "also ran". Increasing US RJ flying internally is what is needed and should be the core for express flying going forward.

Compared to other airlines I do think US pilots are relatively rational. I think your group as a whole realizes that US will never be the size of UA or AA or DL and because you don't have the large equipment the pay rates will be a bit lower too. This is a Catch 22 in that if pilots demand rates similar to the big boys US will be hurt immensely because they don't have the size and depth of the Big 3 to absorb those costs.

It will be interesting to watch the Siegel era unfold at US. I wish you guys the best.

03-07-2002, 03:16 PM	#11
CAL 757-300 Guest Posts: n/a	No axe here Tony, Thanks for your opinions and your view on it as a US pilot. Since I am merely an outsider looking at the overall picture of what is going on at US, I apologize if I came off as having an axe to grind. However, there is still a large gap to be filled between the pilots and management if there is to be a compromise made that will enable the company to restructure and be viable going forward. You mention the RJ agreement and there are some issues with that. Yes, US can contract out RJ flying from third party carriers, but this is not always the best thing to do. Most carriers require a guaranteed margin or "Cost Plus" contract, and this can get quite expensive, turning what could have been a profitable market into a mediocre "also ran". Increasing US RJ flying internally is what is needed and should be the core for express flying going forward. Compared to other airlines I do think US pilots are relatively rational. I think your group as a whole realizes that US will never be the size of UA or AA or DL and because you don't have the large equipment the pay rates will be a bit lower too. This is a Catch 22 in that if pilots demand rates similar to the big boys US will be hurt immensely because they don't have the size and depth of the Big 3 to absorb those costs. It will be interesting to watch the Siegel era unfold at US. I wish you guys the best.