700UW said:
I am not an airline expert, but as long as people like Crellin, Hemenway and Prestifilipo are around, I would say that is not going to help the new carrier propser and if oil keeps going up all bets are off.
These three individuals have done an outstanding job at Airways. While there might have been a few miscalculations with various business decisions, overall, their product knowledge will carry over well with the new management structure.
The entire industry is in shambles. The LCCs need to be watching their own house, because their day is coming soon, particularly, WN, I would not be surprised to see difficult times in the future for this airline.
NW/DL will follow the pattern that has been established by UAL/US, but will most likely seek further cost reductions. I usually don't agree with a certain local afa president, but the race to the bottom of the barrel has only begun. We set the standard that others will follow in the future. The salaries need to be more in line with the national average. There are thousands of job candidates that would love an airline job making $30K.
The new Airways is in good shape with a capable management team. The next 12 months will decide the fate of the carrier. One can't worry about oil prices, just concentrate on operating the company in a most efficient manner and regain the employee trust.
Unfortunately, if the industry continues to bleed, another round of concessions will be in the program. Maintenance could be outsource to save cost. Airways has proven that outsourcing is beneficial in cost reductions. The CWA group can give more, one just needs to compare the pay benefits with HP. I would not be surprised if Doug eliminates the international outsourcing in reservations, even though it did assist in reducing overall labor cost.
ALPA has given more than any group and I can only think of a few items that can be changed with their contract. AFA can give much more to assist in reducing costs. I won't publically name items, but with Teddy Xidas leaving office later this year, Hemenway will have an easy time with this group. They can give more in salary and how they work too.
The bottom line is that the Airways' employees need work more efficient and stop blaming management.
You are not forced to work with the company and should seek alternative employment if you don't like the program. Lifestyle modification will be required for the industry labor groups once the dust has settled and all of the carriers have lowered their labor costs. We all had to adjust our lifestyles with the givebacks at Airways. The executives deserve every penny in bonus compensation that was awarded this week.
