The ASA Dulles Deal

[GeekMaster]

According to SH, he was going to send out the email today but the lawyers said he needed to wait until a certain date. However, he told recurrent ground this:

ASA will operate approximately 20 crj200's out of IAD. The flying will begin as early as February. UAL was a bit skiddish because they didn't like ASA's performance numbers. The company was persuasive that ASA's performance was better than DOT numbers due to ATL ops. UAL is agreeing to a "trial" period of flying.

Scott said that we would base about 30 crews there to begin with. The rest of the pilots apparently will cycle through via common overnight cities I guess.

If the flying is successful, it should lead to lots more flying with some possible future 70 seat work. In addition, if things go well, there are also disussions about shifting some of SKYW out of ORD to DEN and establishing a future ASA base in ORD. (sharing SKYW's maintenance)

He also spoke of massive opportunities throughout the industry. Some due to the possibility of RAH angering their mainline customers with their recent purchases, the likely death of Mesa, and even other carriers.

This isn't me talking....this is just what he was yappin in RGT this week.

Enjoy

 

[blesko]

That's great if its true, but when aerodata dies again for the 15th time this year, (with no plan b) and our performance goes down hill, we'll find a way to screw it up. (hopefully not, its just murphy)

 

[crj567]

Yeah-

Someone needs to deep-six that aerodata crap and find another vendor. There at least should be a backup system for all this very important data.

Aerodata is even worse than the idiots we used before. One breakdown is unacceptable-15 in a year (seriously-it is at least that many,) is simply untenable.

-This problem really needs som fixin.

 

[USCtrojan]

RGT, the monumental biggest waste of time in Aviation history..... Ahh, I feel better, thank you.

Trojan

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Probably have at least one spare up there. Improve Dulles at the expense of ATL. Hope to hell this works.

 

[USCtrojan]

Probably have at least one spare up there. Improve Dulles at the expense of ATL. Hope to hell this works.

I would imagine Inc. wants this to work pretty badly as well. My guess is we will have all of Inc.'s resources behind us. I hope it brings lots of virtual domiciles, especially Florida. This will help clear out ATL, and make many people happy. It's been a long time coming, but Inc. is gonna have a really nice looking route map...

Trojan

 

[flyboyike]

And another rumor about United flying! Gotta love it.

 

[Data]

There at least should be a backup system for all this very important data.

Two words: Dis patcher

 

[JumpersAway]

I had a jumpseater from the maintenance side of the FAA mention that he thought we were going to be alright, and that there has been work done to shuffle several (around 20) more 200's to ASA's operating certificate. These aircraft were to come from two more carriers that currently operate them.

I'm glad to see that we are holding our own in the market. I'm also hoping that our performance numbers kick tail out of IAD- that would be the icing on the cake to illustrate what we truly have, despite our burden of Atlanta. It's good to see that busting tail for on time departures/A-14 is showing some fruit of the labor invested- hopefully it will continue.

 

[buscap]

Note for anyone moving to IAD or ORD: Don't buy a house.

Nuff said.

 

[gator_hater]

Note for anyone moving to IAD or ORD: Don't buy a house.

Nuff said.

I wouldn't buy my dream house,but in this market there may be great opportunities for investment...

 

[ace6453]

You all think this will go senior or that they will displace?

 

[buscap]

I wouldn't buy my dream house,but in this market there may be great opportunities for investment...

Yes, if you want to be a landlord and can afford to sit on it for the nine years it will take for the housing market to recover. Most housing declines take seven years. Experts are saying nine for this one.

 

[buscap]

Let's hope the A-Tech types are really serious about making this work, which means many things: Adequate maintenance support including spare aircraft, workable schedules, commutable schedules, adequate crew facilities, proper domicile crew staffing...etc.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Let's hope the A-Tech types are really serious about making this work, which means many things: Adequate maintenance support including spare aircraft, workable schedules, commutable schedules, adequate crew facilities, proper domicile crew staffing...etc.

Management is banking on this deal. It will definitely be staffed. Commutablility is all depending on where these guys are commuting from. Florida commutes aren't going to be easy since UAL has reduced it's Florida capacity, they've completely pulled out of FLL and PBI.

IAD is a disaster though when it comes to some of these gate agents and rampers. Had several Mesa jumpseaters tell me that ATL runs like clockwork compared to IAD. Can't wait to see how it goes, hope for the best....

 

[CFI2766]

Probably have at least one spare up there. Improve Dulles at the expense of ATL. Hope to hell this works.

Agreed.


(I am absolutely certain I would not want SH's job. Talk to a bunch of whiney pilots, repeatedly compliment Uncle Rico's golf game. Repeat. Nah, not for me.)

 

[CFI2766]

I get that it is the nature of the industry right now, but it is not comforting that a lot of our future depends on the efforts of people that aren't paid by ASA, or SKYW Inc..... Rampers in the hood (ATL), rampers in IAD, SKYW maintenance types possibly in ORD....

 

[at7driver]

we can only do what we can, certainly the powers that be understand the variables...

 

[ASACRJFlyer]

So here's the big question... Will any of this get our furloughees back on property or our displacements back in the left seat? I've heard no, because this flying is only replacing the 20 we're due to lose from Delta in the Spring. Anyone here anything from SH on this? Any thoughts?

 

[GeekMaster]

So here's the big question... Will any of this get our furloughees back on property or our displacements back in the left seat? I've heard no, because this flying is only replacing the 20 we're due to lose from Delta in the Spring. Anyone here anything from SH on this? Any thoughts?

So far no furloughs coming back. Oh yeah, SH said that INC was ready to spend money to make all this work. Inc seems to be under the impression that if they make this work, they stand to become the super regional carrier. He didn't come out and say it, but he hinted that Inc may even loan UAL some big bucks if that's what it takes to make it work.

 

[Data]

You all think this will go senior or that they will displace?

I doubt they displace, for the sake of argument consider this; if they displaced the bottom 30 from each side, the top 10 of those guys would hold the best lines in IAD. 2 year captains with less than 4 years at the company holding the best lines in IAD??? Not gonna happen. Think about the captains that were hired in late '02 and early '03 who are still on reserve in ATL. They're thinking 'hmmmm, reserve in ATL or top 30% line holder in IAD.' What do you think they're going to do? Then it trickles down from there. I say probably no displacements to do this, it will be easy to find 30 from each seat to bid it.

 

[flyboyzz1]

That really is great news for you guys if it pans out...there is no dobut that you have been crapped on lately. BUT...what will all those ASA gentlemen who give us SKYW pilots such dirty looks when we are in ATL do...refuse the ORD base should one develop

 

[Data]

That really is great news for you guys if it pans out...there is no dobut that you have been crapped on lately. BUT...what will all those ASA gentlemen who give us SKYW pilots such dirty looks when we are in ATL do...refuse the ORD base should one develop

They will conveniently gloss over that little bit of hypocrisy! Well played.

 

[79%N1]

They will conveniently gloss over that little bit of hypocrisy! Well played.

Not discounting what you are saying, and it is certainly not cool to give other pilots from your sister co. any dirty looks, etc. But.......understand the 1 small difference between ASA pilots and Skywest. ASA pilots have been given 1 base/1 hub to fly out of. We have been booted from Dallas (Delta's doing) SLC (Inc's doing) and LAX. And within that 1 hub/base, we are constantly under siege and watch other DCI carriers move in and do flying we used to do, or were supposed to do. (See Skywest 900's) In addition, JA closed down SLC and said it didn't make sense to have both ASA and SKYW operating in the same Delta hub. Then, voila, Skywest in Atlanta with 900's and now 200's. So as Skywest pilots have SLC, ORD, ATL and a gaggle of other small bases throughout the West , ASA pilots have Atlanta. So it's tough to watch our Atlanta flying disappear when we are the only Delta carrier with only 1 hub to operate from.

Anyway, if (never happen) we ever show up in ORD, I hope we all don't sneer at each other.

 

[flyboyzz1]

79 all very good points and I was mostly kidding. As far as bases, we all seem to forget that pilot groups have no control over what gets opened or closed. There is no doubt ASA has been given the red headed step child treatment... I truly hope it changes.

 

[buscap]

Yeah, but our Flight Attendants can beat up your Flight Attendants!!!

Nanner nanner boo boo!!!

 

[ASA_Aviator]

So here's the big question... Will any of this get our furloughees back on property or our displacements back in the left seat? I've heard no, because this flying is only replacing the 20 we're due to lose from Delta in the Spring. Anyone here anything from SH on this? Any thoughts?

Scott has made it very clear that this flying is not growth, but just prevention of further shrinkage, so no returns to the left seat or recalls of furloughs, unfortunately.

Won't some of the displaced captains be able to bid for IAD, and maybe get the chance to go back to the left seat? I guess it all depends on how junior it goes.

 

[gator_hater]

I find it hard to believe that there will not be at least a couple folks returning to the left seat. Seems reasonable to me that you might tneed a few more reserves if there are multiple bases.

 

[B.T.Justice]

That really is great news for you guys if it pans out...there is no dobut that you have been crapped on lately. BUT...what will all those ASA gentlemen who give us SKYW pilots such dirty looks when we are in ATL do...refuse the ORD base should one develop

Don't take it personally, but the Atlanta gentlemen you speak of give everyone dirty looks. It's one of the most unfriendly pilot groups I've run into. We don't even acknowledge each other in the concourses.

 

[SkyW120]

has to be Mesa A/C.....Makes you wonder why SkyWest is bringing the Bro back to Denver this fall as well. It won't come close to replacing the Dash 8 but might be a temp fix before UAL finds something better in that market.

MESA's United Code-Sharing Agreement

As of September 30, 2008, we operated 26 CRJ-200, 20 CRJ-700 and 10 Dash-8 aircraft for United under a code-sharing arrangement. Additionally, the code-share agreement allows us to swap up to 10 CRJ-200s for 10 CRJ-700s upon providing at least 180 days notice prior to October 31, 2009. In exchange for performing the flight services under the agreement, we receive from United a fixed monthly minimum amount, plus certain additional amounts based upon the number of flights flown and block hours performed during the month. Additionally, certain costs incurred by us in performing the flight services are “pass-through” costs, whereby United agrees to reimburse us for the actual amounts incurred for these items: aircraft ownership costs, property tax per aircraft, fuel costs, and landing fees. We also receive a profit margin based upon certain reimbursable costs under the agreement as well as our 6
7 operational performance. The code-share agreement for (i) the 10 Dash-8 aircraft terminates in July 2013 unless terminated by United by giving notice six months prior to April 30, 2010, (ii) 10 50-seat CRJ-200’s terminates no later than April 30, 2010, which can be accelerated up to two years at our discretion and can be swapped for CRJ-700’s for a term of up to 10 years but not beyond October 2018, (iii) 20 50-seat regional jets terminate in April 2010, (iv) the 5 CRJ-700’s delivered in fiscal 2007 (the 12 to be delivered upon the withdrawal of the 50-seat regional jets) terminates ten years from delivery date, but no later than October 31, 2018, and (v) the remaining 15 CRJ-700’s terminates in three traunches of five aircraft between December 31, 2011, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013.