Fellow PPRuNers:. .. .You all need to hear it straight from the horse's mouth:. .. .Anyone interested in this Caribbean Operation should know some facts...... .. .The money behind this operation is the Mellon Fortune, one of America's most affluent but also most secretive families.. .. .The original core of the pilot group originated from Carnival Airlines of Fort Lauderdale, FL; . .Carnival and Pan Am II were merged in late 1997. By early 1998 the combination was in . .Bankruptcy Court.. .. .A Timothy Mellon and a long time business associate, David Fink stepped forward in . .front of MIA Bankruptcy Judge, A. J. Cristol, an original Eastern Airlines Pilot whom was . .furloughed in the late fifties and as a result continued his law career in lieu of flying. Judge Cristol sincerely wished to preserve the grand old trademark of the Blue Ball and Mr. Mellon had the wherewithal to do so...... Our research showed that Mr. Mellon and his associate had revived several bankrupt railroads in New England and spirits were high among us that our fortunes would be similar and through mutual efforts we could build a world class airline.. .. .Carnival Pilots were represented by ALPA and through the astute negotiating of our MEC . .Chairman utilizing the resources of ALPA we retained our jobs at the "new, new" Pan Am on Carnival payscale!! and did not have to begin anew! These were not balance sheet busting pilot wages; as an eight year Captain I was making about $75,000 and we all realized the reality of a Regional Airline in a very competitive world.. .. .Most of the younger, more employable pilots went off to the majors and the remainder of us stayed, highly grateful to be employed with what we felt were highly promising prospects.. .. .Even though we we had ALPA Representation a 'Pilot Agreement' had not been consummated . .by the Fall of 1999. I personally was involved in the shortest contract negotiations in the history of ALPA bargaining (three weeks) and we all were grateful to see an agreement signed giving us a slight pay raise and more competitive wages.. .. .However, enthusiasm quickly turned sour as we realized the true 'Modus Operandi' of Mr Fink.. .. .I suggest you do a Google Search using the keys words of "Guilford Transportation Strike 1986 1987 " (Railroad Unions) to obtain a capsule view of the owner's philosophy.. .. .In addition, I am able to personally attest as on January 3, 2001, I was fired, ON THE SPOT (telephone) for refusing to violate the FAA's current interpretation of FAR 121.471, Flight . .Time/Duty Time. . .. .Even though I was completely exonerated and ordered reinstated with full back pay and expenses and interest through the process of Arbitration as provided by the US Railway Labor Act, Mr Fink and his Lieutenants refuse to remploy me, forcing my case into the US Court System!!!. .. .Also be advised that although we have no direct proof yet that the B727 advertised jobs in in the Caribbean are in fact from Pan Am of Portsmouth, NH, most professional airmen view the Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, advertised jobs as a Twenty First Century Manifestation of Frank Lorenzo and his "Alter Ego" Airlines of the 1980s..... .. .I note that 411A has posted to this thread and fully expect him to chime in; I merely wish to say that I have been through an ALPA Promulgated, Crew Complement Work Action in Alaska that lasted two years, four US Airlines that included a "sham" liquidation of a profitable carrier and feel that I have as much reason to detest ALPA as you apparently do. The difference is that I and fellow workers are able, by and large, to look beyond the Association's Shortcomings and laud its benefits but will never argue against you that most times "it ain't fair".. .. .In short, although we "Pan American Airways" pilots would like to believe that we all can prosper from "Pan American World Airways" intents, few do. . .. .As Pan Am Corporate has provided ABSOLUTELY NO INFORMATION TO OUR PILOT . .GROUP of their intentions, most expect to suffer as a result.. .. .No one is telling you not to apply, but beware wages will enevitably be less than ours and that you may be stepping into a virtual hornet's nest!!!!!. . . . <small>[ 18 March 2002, 12:34: Message edited by: DeeTeeS ]</small>