ACA Not Getting DO-Jets

[Beechnut]

I just heard that the FRJ that was to be delivered on the 25th was not, and that there would be no scheduled deliveries for at least three months. Any ACA folks care to comment on what that means for upgrades and the current pilot pool? Without those FRJ's and those Krazy Kanuks going on strike Monday, anyone hear anything about the immediate future of ACA?

S.

 

[54fighting]

Can't comment on the FRJ, but I know that Bombardier workers will go on strike at 0600 on Monday if no agreement is reached.

8000 workers walk bringing a halt to 50, 70 and 90 seat RJ production lines.

 

[J41CA]

The word is that the 34th DO-328 is being held by Fairchild and will not be released. They were suppose to deliver it on March 25th, but withheld it as they were planning to declare insolvency on March 28th. By declaring insolvency makes all contracts null and void. Therefore, Fairchild will seek new contract terms if they can find an investor in the next three months. If they don't find an investor then they will most likely cease operations. Either scenario doesn't bode well for ACA's fleet plans.

As stated by our MEC, "If Fairchild Dornier does obtain some kind of financial assistance, having already claimed insolvency makes our contracts with them null and void, meaning rates may have to be renegotiated. If the aircraft manufacturer decides not to seek assistance to continue operating, then Atlantic Coast may need to reevaluate our fleet plan, route structure, and staffing needs."

The obvious change that will be seen immediately is the delayed retirement of the J 41's from the fleet. The company has actually hired a new class of J 41 FO's that started today. Therefore, those of you in the pool may see a CRJ or a J41 class before the 328.

Interesting times at ACA.

 

[mflyer1]

Anyone know how this effects the Dojet class that starts on the 22nd?

 

[ifly14u]

I dont know ut i turned down 2 other offers and accepted the 22nd do-jet class. Can anyone say burning bridges?

 

[BlueRidger]

Well at the moment we are short of 41 FO's so they may put you in that plane and we still need additional CRJ FO's in ORD so just because you don't get the HomerJet (DOH!) does not mean you will not get a Jet class. From what I hear our CRJ program is finally getting it act together.

 

[RJPilott]

from what im seeing on the ACA ALPA weboard, apparently coming to ACA is like going to Vegas at a Blackjack table and playing your odds. However, the blackjack odds seem better in Vegas than ACA. Good luck on your decision.

 

[ifly14u]

I talked to Dean today and he said that the class on the 22nd is for sure still on. But we may get a diffrent aircraft assignment, Guess we will have to see. Does anybody know if they are still interviewing? Or have they slowed down till things pan out?

 

[zkmayo]

Interviewing is continuing basically every tues-thurs. ACA will hire between 320-350 pilots this year and planning 450 next year. They anticipate attrition to pick up next year as the industry hopefully turns around. claim attrition of 3% now. Virtually all hiring right now is being done by pilot referrals and interships ie virtually no one who is just sending a resume is getting called. They are big into the job fair scene so if you want to work here call up an old friend who works here and get them to walk a resume in for you and attend a job fair.

Hiring 33 in April, 28 in May, 35 in June. 320-350 2002.

2/3s going to CRJ 1/3 for now to FRJ although this will be contingent upon deliveries resuming sometime. classes alternate start dates for either type every two weeks. Cant rule out at least another 41 class although there are no plans for another like 2 weeks' ago.
There is talk of going to all CRJ fleet on UAX side should Dornier completely fold. DALCON would be all FRJ with all orders complete. If your is to upgrade quickly, ie less than 2 yrs, this may not be your airline anymore.
Good luck.

check out co web site at atlanticcoast.com for more info.

 

[AeroDMB]

What other jets?

If Fairchild doesn't make it, what type of aircraft do you think ACA would be looking at to meet their growth?

 

[zkmayo]

ACA would most likely only look at the CRJ if Dornier went completely out of business. Looks like Dornier secured a $90 million loan today to stay afloat. Our COO has said very recently to some members of management that if they were to go out of business completely, ACA would take CRJ deliveries as replacement ac for our 41s and order more CRJs as necessary ie operate an all CRJ fleet on the UAX side. We have something like 30 more CRJs left to receive. I know about the strike at Bombardier but at least they are on decent financial footing compared to Dornier.

I would look to Dornier to be the next Fokker of the world ie scrape out their firm orders somehow and then see parts hard to get over the years.

Here is the article about the loan today at Dornier:

Wednesday April 17, 10:11 am Eastern Time
Fairchild Dornier Secures $90 Million Loan To Stay Afloat

(This story was originally published by Dow Jones Newswires)

PARIS -(Dow Jones)- U.S. -German aerospace company Fairchild Dornier Corp. said Wednesday that it has secured a $90 million loan to stay afloat during an ongoing restructuring.

Details on the nature of the loan, and identity of creditors, weren't immediately available.

The cash-strapped company filed for insolvency earlier this month, and a German receiver was appointed to help find potential rescuers.

Fairchild Dornier, the world's third-largest maker of regional jets behind Bombardier Inc. (BBD.A) of Canada and Embraer S/A (ERJ) of Brazil , received a shot of emergency aid in early April as creditor banks agreed to give it a $20 million advance out of the $90 million loan.

-By David Gauthier-Villars, Dow Jones Newswires; 33 (0)1 40 1717 40; [email protected]

 

[JTrain]

Zk

-I had heard similar rumurs about if Dornier were to go under and there were to be no more deliveries that we would swap the two current UAX D328Jets to the Delta side, as well as the charter machine.

However we recently had a jumpseater who was in training dept, and he informed us that there are 4-8 D328Jets in Germany which are basically ready for delivery, or would just need a little polish to be shipped off to us. I know for sure 453FJ, which was supposed to be the 3rd UAX D328J was supposed to be delivered on the 25th of March, but this was affected by Fairchild's insolvency, which was filed on the 27th.

Knowing how good Kerry Skeen & Tom Moore at negotiating, I wonder if they could negotiate down the already good deal we're getting on the Dorniers.

And here's another possibility for the company, though it is purely speculative. It is my understanding that Skyway/Midwest Express Connection will be getting rid of their Dorniers and replacing them with ERJs. I believe they have approx 10-15 FRJs. If they were to get rid of the DoJet, possibly we could then pick theirs up? I remember a few years back the company was talking about buying some former Air Atlantic J41s that came on the market when Air Atlantic ceased operation. This would be a similar situation if Skyway were to surplus out their Dorniers.

JTrain

 

[zkmayo]

JTrain:

interesting points. seems that if the dorniers dont happen then they would be banished to charter or DAL. the skyway thing would only happen if the price is right. But who knows. the only thing for certain is i bet skeen and moore are licking their chops off how they can make $$$ off this somehowand still get the jets they want.

fly safe,

ZK

 

[brew3departure]

Skyway fleet plans

Hello all...

Don't hold your breath waiting for Skyway to get rid of their Do-jets. The latest word from the company is that they cannot bring two a/c types on-line - they have elected to accelerate the Boeing 717 program and push the ERJ deliveries back to 2004. They were supposed to receive two more Do-jets in Oct/Dec of this year, but it looks as if that's not going to happen.

Unless Skyway can sprinkle some fairy dust over the books to get $$$ to finance the ERJ's, our 328's won't be going anywhere until at _least_ 2004.

It's viable for the long term, perhaps, but one has to wonder if anyone will want the 328's in '04, especially if F-D continues to struggle.

I also heard a rumor before everything got *ucked up last summer that our jets were going to Chicago Express - I think that rumor's been out there for a while, though.

Take care,
-brew3