Aer Lingus to open US base with locally recruited crews
 

From RTE:

"Aer Lingus is extending its relationship with United Airlines on some long-haul services between Europe and the US, and has held out the prospect of forming a new joint venture company with the US airline.

The two airlines will launch a daily service between Washington and Madrid from March 2010. Additional routes may be made available from next year for services to begin in Summer 2011.

Aer Lingus said that further expansion and development of the partnership's activities will be jointly assessed and agreed by the partners and may develop into a 'broader and deeper' joint venture, in which Aer Lingus would have a controlling interest.

The airlines expect the new partnership to report a 'marginal' level of profit in the first year. Aer Lingus will provide three planes, which will be leased to the partnership, and the planes will have the Aer Lingus logo on the outside with joint branding inside.

Recruitment for the new partnership will be in the US. Tickets will be on sale in around six weeks."

How's this going to work then? Give the crews validations and a year to get their JAR licences? Or N reg aircraft?

Nah. Just the give the job to those who already reside in the US and hold both FAA & European/JAA ATP(L)s. Much less stuffing around.

Now who could that be ;) :E

Why only a year to get the JAA? The IAA don't limit the length or number of times an individuals licence can be validated.

PT6

Oh dear. Another round of strikes on the horizon for Aer Lingus.

Not the cleverest management are they?

Some may wonder if either airline will be alive by March 2009, let alone Sep 2011.... :E

Get used to it, folks.
This is exactly the likely way the new open skies agreement between the EU/USA was intended to work.
Think I'm wrong?
Wait and see...:}

My guess is this; it's the simplest way (if the article is accurate). Interesting ... :)

ALPA's response:

Statement from Captain Steve Wallach,
Chairman, United Master Executive Council
Air Line Pilots Association
Regarding United’s ‘Innovative’ Partnership
With Aer Lingus

January 22, 2009

“The day after reporting one of its worst quarterly financial results in history and after furloughing an additional 254 pilots (bringing the total to 606 pilots), United Airlines announced today that it has entered into what it calls an “innovative” partnership with Aer Lingus.

“Aer Lingus has advised the Irish press that this joint venture will operate an Aer Lingus aircraft with neither United nor Aer Lingus employees, under a separate operating certificate and under newly established wages and working conditions. Obviously, this partnership will be accomplished at the expense of United’s and Aer Lingus’ own pilots and other employees. This development, where United attempts to establish an airline operation without the use of United aircraft or employees, is nothing less than the outsourcing of jobs to an international company, and clearly demonstrates that this management continues to make business decisions without regard to its pilots and other employees.

“The United pilots are exploring every option to put an end to the company’s blatant disregard and lack of loyalty to the United Airlines brand.”

Perhaps a bit of opportunism from Aer Lingus management. :E
"Accept this, or when that nice Mr O' Leary comes back with an enhanced offer we may have to give it serious consideration" :hmm:

Why can't we outsource the managers?

I think if you look at their pay deals they are a bit overpaid. Lets get some bob-a-job managers to run things. :)

"Some may wonder if either airline will be alive by March 2009, let alone September 2011...." a most prescient comment CargoOne

as you say "reality check"
 

time to get real people
look around
decide to fight it
or join the real world

hope you get it right for your circumstances!:sad:

Well, me actually...Ah, don't suppose they'll extend the age limit to 80 will they?

Will United Pilots really, really, really unite as one against this union between EI and UAL?:eek:

Will United Pilots really, really, really unite and march and hold rallys opining their views about this new union between EI and UAL?:eek:

Will United Pilots really, really, really unite and stage a job action demonstrating, NOW, they are really, really, really mad as hell and they are not going to take any more?:eek:

But wait!!! will United Airlines even be around in 2010 so United Pilots can really be united in a union of harmonic bliss?:sad:

Don't touch that keyboard... stay tuned for more edge of the seat news.;)

Sounds rather like EI and UA co-funding a "Project Lauren" type of venture.

And as 411A says, this is exactly what is expected by the Open Skies agreement; more choice.

JAS

From the Chicago Tribune

More like EI is starting a MAD-IAD flight (courtesy of EU membership as well as Open Skies) and UA will code share on it. This will be no different for UA than any other code share arrangement they have.

This may be the shape of things to come, but I would be suprised if they can make this route viable.

I guess this may have been the only route that would not fall a foul of any of their Star Alliance Partners.

What will Aer Lingus be up to next!? Industrial issues just never let up in there. At least there are strong unions on both sides to tackle this one.

Yeah right:};):E

The Atlantic's ugly sisters.
 

'Open Fungus' anyone?

Somehow I feel we have seen this all before. :}