NWA strike

[peanutgirl]

I have been out of the country the last week so i might have missed something. Is the strike date still Aug. 20th for the NWA mechanics??

THANKS

 

[Pinnie]

Yes, the strike date is still the same and it is NOT looking like they will settle soon. I am scheduled on a NWA flight from MCO to DTW on the 21st and am starting to look at different options.

pinnie

 

[McKelly]

We are to fly to Orlando on 8/20 at 7:00am. Should I be worried? Or should I be more concerned with the flight home? When you say you are looking at other options, what does that mean exactly? Did you buy refundable tickets?

 

[CharityLynn]

O am set to fly out at the end of Oct is this something I should be worrying about? My tickets I believe are non-refundable...now I am very worried. this is only the second time for me flying, the first time was uneventful and non-stop. This year we ahve 1 stop in Detriot so I am laready nervous...should I worry about this as well?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Just saw something on the news.... being in Detroit, we hear alot about NWA!

The strike date is still on for Aug 20th...

Northwest has hired security gaurds to protect aircraft in the maintanance hanger from "suspicious behavior"

And Northwest relesed a statement saying...

"They have many certified mechanic's willing to work during the strike"

Hope this helps...

 

[McKelly]

Disneyjosh-

Thanks for that update. I was starting to get worried. I want to be able to get down there, if I would HAVE to stay a couple more days in WDW, OH WELL!, that would be such a bummer! LOL!!

 

[akamom]

Yes, the strike date is still the same and it is NOT looking like they will settle soon. I am scheduled on a NWA flight from MCO to DTW on the 21st and am starting to look at different options.

pinnie

I would look for a different option. They interviewed a DTW NW mechanic and he said if they stike, he wouldn't want anyone flying with "scab mechanics". They are training "scab" workers literally around the clock to get their mechanical skills up to par. Scares me enough find a different airline!

 

[Pinnie]

I am thinking of cancelling the NWA tickets and flying either SPIRIT or SWA. I am wondering if the pilots and FAs will even cross the picket line anyway.

pinnie

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I am thinking of cancelling the NWA tickets and flying either SPIRIT or SWA. I am wondering if the pilots and FAs will even cross the picket line anyway.

pinnie

I think its a breach of contract if the captain's, first officers or flight attendents go on strike (because its the mechanics contract that is up). I would be extremly supprised if the mechanics strike would cancel or significantly delay any flights.

 

[Pinnie]

I think its a breach of contract if the captain's, first officers or flight attendents go on strike (because its the mechanics contract that is up). I would be extremly supprised if the mechanics strike would cancel or significantly delay any flights.

I am not saying that the others go on strike, I am wondering if they will HONOR the strike and not cross the picket line, esp in Detroit which is a very pro union town.

 

[CarolA]

I would look for a different option. They interviewed a DTW NW mechanic and he said if they stike, he wouldn't want anyone flying with "scab mechanics". They are training "scab" workers literally around the clock to get their mechanical skills up to par. Scares me enough find a different airline!

LOL! This is a scare tactic... and it's working.

I would not worry about the SCAB mechanics. The FAA oversees this and as my Grandfather who worked in airlines for years always pointed out at any time of trouble like this they REALLY keep an eye on things. Plus most of these so called "scabs" may in fact be contract mechanincs. There are legal certifications etc... It's not like Bubba from the car shop can just show up and be an airplane mechanic.

For example, NW does not have mechanics at all airports. What happens is the mechanics are a contract service at smaller airports who service all airlines. They may or may not be union, but don't have near the pay etc. that the NWA guys do... However, they work on your plane all the time and you keep flying safely.

Flyertalk.com had a link to a Minn. newspaper article indicating everyone was going back to the table later this week. Maybe we will know more then.

 

[safetymom]

I agree with CarolA. For anyone with concerns I suggest you visit www.flyertalk.com

go to miles and points and then the NWA forum. They will have lots of ideas and news concerning the possible strike.

 

[Pinnie]

I agree with CarolA. For anyone with concerns I suggest you visit www.flyertalk.com

go to miles and points and then the NWA forum. They will have lots of ideas and news concerning the possible strike.

Thanks for the links!!!

pinnie

 

[Disneyjosh229]

LOL! This is a scare tactic... and it's working.

I would not worry about the SCAB mechanics. The FAA oversees this and as my Grandfather who worked in airlines for years always pointed out at any time of trouble like this they REALLY keep an eye on things. Plus most of these so called "scabs" may in fact be contract mechanincs. There are legal certifications etc... It's not like Bubba from the car shop can just show up and be an airplane mechanic.

For example, NW does not have mechanics at all airports. What happens is the mechanics are a contract service at smaller airports who service all airlines. They may or may not be union, but don't have near the pay etc. that the NWA guys do... However, they work on your plane all the time and you keep flying safely.

Flyertalk.com had a link to a Minn. newspaper article indicating everyone was going back to the table later this week. Maybe we will know more then.

Yes, NW mechanics all have to be certified by the FAA to even get close to a plane with a wrench in there hand!! Im sure NWA will be using contracters while the strike is going on. Also, if Im not mistaken, each aircraft has to go in for a "rutine maintaince check" every 500 hrs, so this shouldn't effect too many flights.

 

[CarolA]

If folks don't honor the picket and NW is able to get contractors, etc. then I think they will be OK for a short time. The problem does come when the planes get to those maintenance inspections. They are labor intensive and take a while... if they don't have mechanics that's where they could start backing up!


Also, for those of you making your own arrangements... A few things to consider. If you go off and buy SW, Sprit, etc. tickets you are doing so at your own risk. IF NW does not fly your flight they do not have to pay you the full fare ticket you just bought, they may in fact owe you a refund on the discounted ticket, but....

What you need to do is if the strike occurs call NW. And be patient, this won't be easy. Basically what NW is going to want to do is write you over to another airline. They have interline agreements to cover this and that will be cheaper for them then paying you to fly SW. Also, based on past airline behavior... plan on the flights not being cancelled until the LAST second! Several years ago AA had a Flight Attendant strike. They would wait until the time the plane was to take off before admitting that the FAs were not crossing the picket line and they were not taking on passengers! If you buy a ticket call and see if you can get someone to agree to pay for it BEFORE you fly. Don't just go to SW buy a ticket and then try to get NW to refund you when you get home, it probably won't work!

 

[Brian Noble]

As for others crossing---the pilots almost certainly will cross the picket, because they've already taken deep cuts and will expect the FAs and Mechs to do the same. The FAs may or may not, though at least one FA has posted on flyertalk saying they've been advised by someone who may or may not be representing the union that honoring the picket line will get them fired.

NW is not known for aggressively negotiating with their unions (which is why they have the highest labor costs per pax mile in the industry) but this time they appear to be very very serious. Given the current state of the industry (and the large number of currently out-of-work mechanics) I'd say the airline has a better than average shot of breaking the union.

The alternative is likely bankruptcy, which frankly might be exactly what NW is hoping for, because they can unilaterally cancel contracts and get out from under their crushing pension load. It certainly hasn't hurt United, and even USAir seems to be doing okay under chapter 11.