Republic got their certificate today

[roz]

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050830/repub..._faa.html?.v=1

In the meantime, the sale of the assets of MDA division of US Airways is still up in the air. Republic/Wexford (Replacement Airways) is looking at it as an asset sale. The folks at MDA are looking at it as a transfer of the entire division and want the jobs to go with it. Parker is now saying he doesn't want to transfer MDA--it's cheaper to keep it in house. And the AWA pilots are standing firm on not allowing Replacement Airways to fly 190's.

Right now, as we speak, an arbitrator has been hearing the grievance filed by ALPA over the transfer.

If the grievance fails, it will have devastating effects on the industry and for all who currently fly at the regional level and hope to fly for a major airline.

It means that 850 US Airways employees will be laid off to be replaced by contract work. It's outsourcing.

The EMBs are currently ground handled by either mainline or MidAtlantic employees. When they transfer to Replacement Airways they will be handled by Express. PHL and DCA have MAA ground employees who will lose thier jobs or possibly be offered a position with Piedmont or mainline. PIT uses mainline employees so the loss of the EMB handling will likely cause mainline layoffs.

The pilots are in arbitration right now over this deal. Replacement Airways insists it's a "jets for jobs" deal so they only have to take 50% of the pilots, and as new hires, not honoring thier seniority. All but two of the 341 pilots told them to get lost. All of the pilots are furloughed mainline or flow-through from Allegheny/Piedmont.

The F/As have been offered an "interview" with Republic, no guarantee of employment, no seniority, a lot less money, and they may not even work the 170 or be in the US system or bases. Not a single F/A has applied. All of the F/As are furloughed mainline.

The pilots and the F/As each have lawsuits over the entire "MidAtlantic" sham and the violations US and Republic are doing with this transaction.

A very sad situation for some truly incredible employees, not to mention the deterioration of mainline flying and jobs this will cause in the future.

Interestinly enough, the EMB was also certified today. JetBlue will begin flying the 190 with their own mainline pilots (albeit at crappy pay) in October. They didn't outsource it to Replacement Airlines or anyone else. It's a 100 + seat airplane and belongs at mainline.