Aca...

[IMBB]

Saab made 60 Sabb 2000's. Cross Air (former feeder for Swiss Air) had 57 of them. There are/were 3 in the States. I believe Ford had two of the as company shuttles, and a NASCAR team has/had one.

IMBB

 

[antney]

Also GE Capital has one in a corporate form.

 

[Flywspeed]

Death of ACA (atleast w/UAL)

Dear fellow Mesa Employees,

It gives me great pleasure to tell you we have been chosen to significantly expand our code share partnership with United Airlines with the addition of up to 60 regional jets. As many of you know, prior to losing our United code share in 1997, Mesa was United’s largest regional partner and we are delighted that we have been able to regain United's confidence in Mesa. This expansion was possible as a result of our ability to offer United the highest levels of reliability and service, in conjunction with providing an efficient, low cost operation.

In addition to the 10 Dash-8 aircraft already under contract, under the expanded agreement, Mesa will operate 35 regional jets on select portions of United's United Express service. The 35 regional jets include 20 larger 70-seat and 15 50-seat aircraft. United also has the right to add, at its option, an additional 25 regional jets. The addition of these 25 regional jets will be dependant upon our ability to operate at the highest levels of reliability while maintaining our existing low cost structure. The expanded agreement runs until December 2013.

We’d like to thank all of our employees who have worked hard to make this possible. We envision that the expansion will generate approximately 1,500 jobs and create many opportunities for advancement within the Company. For example, the initial 35 jets alone will create almost 200 regional jet captain positions. Make no mistake about it, this was an incredibly competitive process in which virtually every other US regional jet operator was participating. United thoroughly analyzed data for over a year and to date we are the only carrier chosen to be a new United Express operator, it is a tremendous credit to all of you. In addition, we would like to thank all the employee leaders who had the vision to work with us in a proactive and constructive manner. And while there are still challenges, the biggest being our ability to find financing for additional regional jets, we believe this agreement greatly strengthens the foundation of our business and provides greater job security for all of us. Although we aren't “out of the woods yet,” working together with you, we believe that we have done everything we can to ensure a successful future.

Thank you all for a job well done.

Congratulations,

Jonathan Ornstein



MESA SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT TO THE DESSERT AND SHOT!!!!!!!

 

[Andy Neill]

MESA SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT TO THE DESSERT AND SHOT!!!!!!!

Just stand there next to the pie a la mode while we take this picture. OK, now over by the chocolate cake and ice cream.

 

[Mr DC3]

"Just stand there next to the pie a la mode while we take this picture. OK, now over by the chocolate cake and ice cream."

Andy,

You've got quite the sense of humor!

 

[Machdog1]

You know whats funny about that MESA is already having problems financing the aircraft, hope they screw United in the end. Like they say you get with you pay for.

 

[Machdog1]

Who gives a shi#$t about the saab 2000 what the hell is it doing on and ACA thread anyway!

 

[Machdog1]

Its ok don't do it again!! I actually think the saab 2000 is a cool a/c!

 

[CRJ puppy]

The SAAB 2000 IS a cool plane...same GTOW as a CRJ-200, full FADEC controlled engines, all glass, etc, etc, very nice flying plane! However, there were a total of 4 in the USA as of 2 yrs. ago. GM "inherited" them when they bought controlling interest in SAAB a few years back. They leased one to the NASCAR team essentially permanently and were trying to sell another one or two in "Trade-A-Plane" at least a year or so ago. Don't know exactly what their dispossition is now. Definitely if C8 were to get any they would have to come from CrossAir as there are only a handful of other 2000's out there worldwide. Yes there were only 60 built before SAAB's a/c line essentially went bankrupt and was shut down due to the high development costs associated with the 2000. From a customer perspective, the any RJ was a more desirable a/c (it's a jet afterall). I have no idea if there are any quantity available on the market with the support needed in the US to operate them on regularly scheduled revenue service. The only level D 2000 sim is at FSI in Vero Beach, FL.

The better rumor I personally think would be that C8 would be taking over the leases on some of ACA's CRJ's as ACA's contract w/UAL shrinks and they start up a small LCC regional carrier.

But that's only my 2 cents worth and in this economy, that's about a penny.

Happy rumors.........

 

[sf3boy]

I have only seen two of the Saab 2000's. They are both at the GM hangar in DTW. Never seen them flying.

 

[TWA Dude]

I used to "race" a 2000 from IND to DTW in CHQ Jetscream 31. We'd leave at the same time but while the 2000 climbed into the stratosphere we'd buzz along at FL070 and due to ATC we'd usually land around the same time. It's a wonderful machine but it just came at the wrong time.

 

[KingAirer]

Doesnt matter how great of an airplane it is, like TWA dude said it just came at the wrong time. It could out perform, be more efficient, be more ergonomic, but to the everyday passenger its gonna be "one of those prop planes". They would rather fly on a 30 year old jet than a space age "prop".