Republic and the IBT made a number of mistakes in its negotiations with US Airways. Republic did not seek to provide US Airways equity when other investors stepped up; thus it now has no say in the new merged company.
The Republic IBT leaders did not embrace US Airways ALPA's LOA 91 regarding fragmentation and did not offer to take all of the MDA pilots with their aircraft, thus the labor fight. The IBT wanted to take 70 MDA Captains, 70 First Officers, and for MDA to furlough about 160 pilots. In addition, Republic wanted the 140 pilots to conduct proving runs and help the company obtain an "operating certificate", since the comapny is having a lot of difficulty doing it them self.
The new US Airways no longer desires to sell MDA to Republic and would like to get out of the Republic deal. With the America West ALPA contract prohibiting EMB-190 flying at an affiliate, the ALPA TCC making good progress with the company in joint negotiations on flying the EMB-190 on the mainline or at MDA that could prevent EMB-190 affiliate flying, and the recent Republic IBT contract change regarding J4J and the EMB-190, I believe Republic and the IBT has once again "shot them self" in the foot. Basically it could be too little too late to get Large RJ EMB flying from US Airways.
For Republic to get the 90-seat Embraer RJ flying, US Airways must reach an agreement with Republic to permit the Express operator to fly the EMB-190. Considering the items listed in the paragraph above, I believe Republic will not get EMB-190 or additional EMB-170 flying from the new US Airways.
In addition, I understand both Bruce Lakefield and Doug Parker are perturbed with Brian Bedford and Republic "nickel and dimeing" US Airways, which could cause other repercussions. In my opinion, US Airways may reject some or all of the Chautauqua flying and replace EMB-145s with other Large RJs that have a lower CASM.
What's interesting here is that in the beginning of US Airways' formal reorganization it "arm twisted" potential affiliate carrier equity investors and United Airlines significantly helped the Arlington-based company survive when United rejected the Air Wisconsin "fee for service" agreement. When the Appleton-based company needed a partner it reached an unique DIP/equity agreement with the Arlington-based carrier, which started a series of events where US Airways' affiliate partners had a lot of leverage to a point where they now have no leverage, and the new US Airways has all of the leverage in its "fee for service" and new Large RJ flying authorization.
This week the ALPA TCC is meeting with the company in Phoenix and a new Large RJ agreement could be reached in principal in the not-to-distant future that prevents Republic from flying any EMB-170 or EMB-190 flying for US Airways Express.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
P.S. I understand Republic is having a lot of difficulty obtaining an operating certificate.
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