Out of curiousity, what is the satisfaction level with your representation? Last I heard there was a lot of negative feelings towards the union itself, which is not good when such an important issue is at stake.

Plus all existing models are 772ER. Does not make sense to introduce a new model for just 2 out of 20 total. Fills the gap until the 787's start arriving.

These are good questions, and I would like to see them answered here. Feel free to start another thread on this if you wish to have continued discussion of this topic beyond one additional answer...

Xyzzy
CO forum moderator

I was hoping for some 772LR's for EWR-BLR and EWR-SIN, but no dice

I was at IAH today and saw the first few minutes of the ceremony, held at the end of the E Concourse. Huge blue backdrop next to the wall of windows. Probably 15 or so media types there.

Shaked hands with Larry K. Congratulated him on 2Q earnings and new 772s.
He thanked me for my business. (Last time I met him I was on a mileage run.)

My flight to CLE left from E21.
CO had turned off all the gate PA systems so as not to interfere with the event. The GAs boarding my flight were very upset that they had yell.
I guess they didn't get the positive implications of more planes.....

SNAPS for CO! It's about time, I would have though they would have ordered like 4 or maybe 6, but hey they know best! 'Course leave it to Continental to make such an ocassion such whopla with all the employees signing the order... Got to love Continental Marketing/ Public Relations

-Vincent

Jim Compton - if you are reading this I also commend you (and the entire management team) on your style with this announcement. Too bad we will rarely see them here in CLE, but I am excited that CO was able to finalize this deal on 777s. Keep up the great work and exciting news!

c'mon.. there are SURE to be a couple diversions from EWR...

Well, that certainly makes sense considering that the FA group is usually the most diverse group in an airline. The work rules in the their contracts are usually the most detailed and varied.

On the other hand the last 2 FA contracts at CAL were both passed the first time around...the FAs weren't too problematic then.

The company lied to everyone about the reasons for the need of the $500 and the process to getting it. They presented a horrible contract, so it was voted down. Now, CAL is calling our bluff by having requested mediation so soon in the negotiating process. I have to agree with an earlier post that the company has no intentions of truly negotiating to get this resolved. They would much rather just be released from mediation to see if the FAs will actually strike or be disruptive to the operation in some way after the 30 day cooling off period. Certainly the company thinks the FAs will cower down and not do a thing. FAs were angry before the contract was voted down. Now, knowing for sure that the company was lying has made the FAs even angrier. I think everyone will be very surprised at the FAs resolve.

As has been explained MANY times before in various threads. This is not an ill informed group. Most understand what is happening in this industry.The company and our union kept telling the FAs to "get informed, get the facts" This time they did. Again, there was plenty of willingness on the part of many FAs to give up pay and benefits. However, the manner in which the company wants it to happen via that crappy contract was completely ridiculous. There is more than one way to slice the pie of concessions. This idea that the contract that was presented was the ONLY way is absurd. Our union AND the company dropped the ball in regards to the FAs.

In regards to the 777s....GREAT...but how much more will come of the concessions given thus far...I mean first the money was needed to pay off some huge debt due at the end of the year and to avoid a "cash crisis" Then the order for the 787s, then the 757-300s from ATA & the 800s that American turned down. Most recently the 2nd quarter profit, and now 2 777s. C'mon folks lets be real. Thats quite a bit for $418 million thus far. And who knows what else is in the works.

SPIN MASTERS they are!

CO would not have been profitable without the 400 some odd million in reductions.

100 million profit - 400MM/4 = 0.

The new aircraft are lease payment only aircraft, which ends up costing CO next to nothing.

congratulations, Continental.

They got these to replace the one they pulled off ewr-iah.

I'm happy about the acquisition but curious about the future here.....it seems that the press release is covering the real story.

I knew this was coming, since they were in negotiations for a couple of leases of 772ERs being returned from RG.