CCAir

CCAir was created in 1987 when Sunbird Airlines was renamed. CCAIR's headquarters were located at the Old Terminal Building at Charlotte Douglas Airport, in Charlotte, NC. It'scall sign was Carolina, as the CC stood for Carolina Connection. Most of the employees were local people, who were loyal to the company. It was the first commuter airline to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy and emerge profitable. Former CEO Ken Gann, was responsible for turning around the airline and restructuring it. CCAIR was known for flying the Shorts 360 airplanes. Then when told to ground the Shorts 360's in favor of all pressurized airplanes, they acquired several former American Eagle Jetsream 32s. In 1999, Mesa Air Group acquired CCAIR. In an attempt by Mesa CEO, Jonathan Ornstein, he kept CCAIR and Mesa separate and used the two groups to whipsaw them in labor negotiations. Even CCAIR Gate/Ticket agents and Ground handlers attempted to unionize, but the vote was against representation. Mr. Ornstein promised to work with ground personel, but shortly thereafter canceled the ground handling service with US Airways Express. Also several cities in North Carolina, Hickory, Southern Pines/Pinehurst, Kinston and Rocky Mount, NC lost their essential air service, which was flown by CCAIR. The CCAIR pilots resisted many offers to take paycuts and deep concessions to have the chance for growth and flying Regional Jets. Mr. Ornstein slowly started to dismantle CCAIR. First the Jetstream 32s were grounded and Mesa's Beech 1900s were brought in to replace the Jetstreams. Finally, in 2002, a deep concessionary agreement was forced upon the CCAIR pilots in order to keep their jobs. When voted upon and ratified, ALPA (Airline Pilots Asociation) President, Duane Woerth promised the CCAIR pilots he would sign off on the agreement, but reneged when he felt the agreement was too concessionary in nature. A few pilots attempted to sue ALPA in federal court in Charlotte, but US District Court Judge Graham Muellen upheld ALPA's decision not to allow the new Collective Bargaining Agreement to take effect. On Novemebr 4, 2002, CCAIR ceased operations. Today, the pilots are flying under Mesa and Mesa's collective bargaining agreement.

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