CAL cancelling CHQ flying

[Baronman]

The Jetblue flying we have been doing had less than a week to start up and we have done a pretty good job thus far considering its been out of LGA.

I think it's out of JFK actually...but I'll give you a pass being Houston based.

 

[jws717]

Why is CHQ leaving so many people behind on the CRJ? I have gone almost a year without bumping pax. On the usair side the ERJ145 seems to be the bird that is always load resticted.

 

[PCL_128]

The Jetblue flying we have been doing had less than a week to start up and we have done a pretty good job thus far considering its been out of LGA.

Talked with the XJT MEC Chair just a couple of days ago. According to him, the JetBlue operation has gone absolutely flawlessly from the first day. The more I see of ExpressJet, the more I'm impressed.

 

[dogtown]

The Jetblue flying we have been doing had less than a week to start up and we have done a pretty good job thus far considering its been out of LGA.

Our first week with Frontier we had 100% completion factor with >90% ontime.
I'm not saying our CAL operation is without faults, (its pretty frustraiting from a pilot standpoint as the company didn't adequetly plan ahead), but the hard stand coupled with the obscenely slow boarding dictates bad numbers. As I said before, my last four day we were 100% ontime out of IAH and ontime about 30% of the time in IAH. That is ridiculous and none of the delays were because of us. I have been met with nothing but plesantness from the pilot group, but operationaly I think there is a lot of desire for us to be unsucessful.

 

[Popeye0537]

Our first week with Frontier we had 100% completion factor with >90% ontime.
I'm not saying our CAL operation is without faults, (its pretty frustraiting from a pilot standpoint as the company didn't adequetly plan ahead), but the hard stand coupled with the obscenely slow boarding dictates bad numbers. As I said before, my last four day we were 100% ontime out of IAH and ontime about 30% of the time in IAH. That is ridiculous and none of the delays were because of us. I have been met with nothing but plesantness from the pilot group, but operationaly I think there is a lot of desire for us to be unsucessful.

Your right on with your last quote. Vegitarian started this thread because he's hopin he'll upgrade soon....sorry, aint gonna happen unless you take the ONT bid looser.

Why do we bump people....when a plane can only take off at 53K, you don't go over that. The FAA made our pax. to heavy, we carry a lot of fuel, the CRJ burns more than a 145. Any other questions?

The B pad sucks, I land 10 early and I gotta sit around waiting for a spot to open, then wait another 10 min for busses to show. My 45 min turn just turned into a hour, thats why we're late

 

[SoberIrishman]

From what I can see in ATL with those jet-Brasilias aka EMB145's there seems to be a serious load problem on a high percentage of flights, especially with summer weights. Faults it may have, however the CRJ-200 appears to be a much better aircraft all round, with reliability and maintenance as a big plus. Not to be overly critical, but the cockpit in that EMB thing is a total mess compared with the CRJ, too much stuff to look at! Even with full FMS/RNAV and ACARS capabilities fitted, the CRJ cockpit looks empty compared to the E145. What's wrong with this picture....comments anyone?

Maybe EMB scores better with their E170's and 190's.

Hats off to the 145/135 guys learning to decipher all those little boxes on their screens, and information popping up all over the dang place. Not a very user friendly design, but I guess you gotta work with what you get!

Money talks with the majors, no matter what when it comes to "connection" contracts, and we all keep sliding further into the abyss. When will they ever learn to invest in good equipment, support infrastructure, and more importantly their workforce? That is the root problem in the regional camp right now, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Example, what was Delta smokin' when they awarded more aircraft to Freedom recently, even though they were CRJ's? They want a "seamless experience" for passengers between a connection carrier and mainline-not going to happen in this case, never!
Nope, it's more bottoms in seats for as little cost as possible, that's the goal.

 

[Superpilot92]

The Jetblue flying we have been doing had less than a week to start up and we have done a pretty good job thus far considering its been out of LGA.

Opps!!:blush: Would you believe my if i said thats what i meant?:blush:

 

[Superpilot92]

Your right on with your last quote. Vegitarian started this thread because he's hopin he'll upgrade soon....sorry, aint gonna happen unless you take the ONT bid looser.

Why do we bump people....when a plane can only take off at 53K, you don't go over that. The FAA made our pax. to heavy, we carry a lot of fuel, the CRJ burns more than a 145. Any other questions?

The B pad sucks, I land 10 early and I gotta sit around waiting for a spot to open, then wait another 10 min for busses to show. My 45 min turn just turned into a hour, thats why we're late

When you were waiting on your spot to open, was it because one of yalls other planes was late? Everytime i have been late because of a spot being taken was because a CHQ plane taking up the spot. Most of the time its a lack of crew. Thats the fault of your company not properly staffing you. Or the MX problems, i guess they arent giving you enough manpower to fix the problems either. Once again, i will say thats not the pilots fault. I have talked to a number of gate agents at a number of stations, that said the pilots are great but the operation sucks.

 

[BlackPilot628]

The Jetblue flying we have been doing had less than a week to start up and we have done a pretty good job thus far considering its been out of LGA.

I am sure that your jetblue ops was doing good. Considering your are sticking with the E145 and flying like 5 airplanes. As stated above, our Frontier flying was 100% on our first month. Mostly because it was a E170 and we have been flying that airplane for 3.5 years.

Wake up!

PS...JFK ain't sh1t compared to LGA

 

[TNPILOT]

This thread is case and point of why I can't wait to get out of the regionals. Why anyone would stay in this rat race for a career is beyond me.

It's so much fun to read another my daddy could beat up your daddy thread.

 

[Bushhatesyou]

From what I can see in ATL with those jet-Brasilias aka EMB145's there seems to be a serious load problem on a high percentage of flights, especially with summer weights. Faults it may have, however the CRJ-200 appears to be a much better aircraft all round, with reliability and maintenance as a big plus. Not to be overly critical, but the cockpit in that EMB thing is a total mess compared with the CRJ, too much stuff to look at! Even with full FMS/RNAV and ACARS capabilities fitted, the CRJ cockpit looks empty compared to the E145. What's wrong with this picture....comments anyone?

Maybe EMB scores better with their E170's and 190's.

Hats off to the 145/135 guys learning to decipher all those little boxes on their screens, and information popping up all over the dang place. Not a very user friendly design, but I guess you gotta work with what you get!

Money talks with the majors, no matter what when it comes to "connection" contracts, and we all keep sliding further into the abyss. When will they ever learn to invest in good equipment, support infrastructure, and more importantly their workforce? That is the root problem in the regional camp right now, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Example, what was Delta smokin' when they awarded more aircraft to Freedom recently, even though they were CRJ's? They want a "seamless experience" for passengers between a connection carrier and mainline-not going to happen in this case, never!
Nope, it's more bottoms in seats for as little cost as possible, that's the goal.

Uh...... Have you ever actually seen the cockpit of a 145?

 

[Tarzan]

From what I can see in ATL with those jet-Brasilias aka EMB145's there seems to be a serious load problem on a high percentage of flights, especially with summer weights. Faults it may have, however the CRJ-200 appears to be a much better aircraft all round, with reliability and maintenance as a big plus. Not to be overly critical, but the cockpit in that EMB thing is a total mess compared with the CRJ, too much stuff to look at! Even with full FMS/RNAV and ACARS capabilities fitted, the CRJ cockpit looks empty compared to the E145. What's wrong with this picture....comments anyone?

Maybe EMB scores better with their E170's and 190's.

Hats off to the 145/135 guys learning to decipher all those little boxes on their screens, and information popping up all over the dang place. Not a very user friendly design, but I guess you gotta work with what you get!

I've flown both. EMB145= Better plane than the CRJ2. And.... My kid can beat up your kid.

 

[wmudriver]

This thread is case and point of why I can't wait to get out of the regionals. Why anyone would stay in this rat race for a career is beyond me.

It's so much fun to read another my daddy could beat up your daddy thread.

Amen!

Its like watching two dudes fight over a fat broad.

 

[BoilerUP]

Why is CHQ leaving so many people behind on the CRJ? I have gone almost a year without bumping pax. On the usair side the ERJ145 seems to be the bird that is always load resticted.

We aren't flying our 200s ORF-IAH, either. That's a full 140nm farther direct distance than PHL-MCI. Throw in some Texas thunderstorms and enough gas for a good alternate and I can see why they'd have problems leaving full.

 

[volav8r1]

When you were waiting on your spot to open, was it because one of yalls other planes was late? Everytime i have been late because of a spot being taken was because a CHQ plane taking up the spot. Most of the time its a lack of crew. Thats the fault of your company not properly staffing you. Or the MX problems, i guess they arent giving you enough manpower to fix the problems either. Once again, i will say thats not the pilots fault. I have talked to a number of gate agents at a number of stations, that said the pilots are great but the operation sucks.

Actually, on Thursday I waited for almost 35 minutes for my spot because one of YOUR XR's had the APU deferred and they could not get the air start cart to work.

I never take delays at outstation (when I do it's usually because I'm working the numbers to squeeze one of YOUR commuters on the jumpseat). Keep in mind also that you guys have a whole lot more flights out of IAH than we do. Most of YOURS are on jetways while ALL of ours are on the pad. You are not exactly comparring apples to apples here. Also keep in mind that a good portion of our flights are IOE with new crew members, that adds a few minutes by itself.

I'm not trying to start a pissing contest with you guys since 99% of your crews are great people who I will continue to work the numbers to get on my jumpseat just like you have been doing for me. But (much like us) you have your 1% that just don't get it and never will. It is not the crews who are causing the delays, I would break it down as follows: 70% Boarding/Station, 20% late arriving aircraft, 5% MTX, 5% crew delays (this includes Scheduling not having anyone to work the flight).

 

[dojetdriver]

PS...JFK ain't sh1t compared to LGA

True, the sad part is, it's better now than when they went to the slottery in March/April 2000

 

[Corbon]

Brian Fantana: They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, we're on time every time
Ron Burgandy: That doesn't make sense.
Brian Fantana: Well... Let's go see if we can make this little kitty purr

 

[dojetdriver]

Brian Fantana: They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, we're on time every time
Ron Burgandy: That doesn't make sense.
Brian Fantana: Well... Let's go see is we can make this little kitty purr

Their brains are smaller than ours, it's science.

 

[BoilerUP]

Their brains are smaller than ours, it's science.

Oh that's just great! You hear that, Ed? BEARS! Now you are putting the whole station in jeopardy.

 

[dojetdriver]

Oh that's just great! You hear that, Ed? BEARS! Now you are putting the whole station in jeopardy.

I stabbed a guy, in the heart.

MILK WAS A BAD CHOICE!!!!!

 

[BoilerUP]

I stabbed a guy, in the heart.

WITH A TRIDENT.

 

[dojetdriver]

WITH A TRIDENT.

I saw that, might want to laaay looowww for a while. Possibly go stay with a realtive for a couple days.

 

[Superpilot92]

Actually, on Thursday I waited for almost 35 minutes for my spot because one of YOUR XR's had the APU deferred and they could not get the air start cart to work.

I never take delays at outstation (when I do it's usually because I'm working the numbers to squeeze one of YOUR commuters on the jumpseat). Keep in mind also that you guys have a whole lot more flights out of IAH than we do. Most of YOURS are on jetways while ALL of ours are on the pad. You are not exactly comparing apples to apples here. Also keep in mind that a good portion of our flights are IOE with new crew members, that adds a few minutes by itself.

I'm not trying to start a pissing contest with you guys since 99% of your crews are great people who I will continue to work the numbers to get on my jumpseat just like you have been doing for me. But (much like us) you have your 1% that just don't get it and never will. It is not the crews who are causing the delays, I would break it down as follows: 70% Boarding/Station, 20% late arriving aircraft, 5% MTX, 5% crew delays (this includes Scheduling not having anyone to work the flight).

Look the reason why i put the disclaimer out there was to make sure this was a discussion not me jabbing at CHQ crews. I firmly believe the problems that yall have been are solely to blame on Mgmt for not giving you the resources to make it happen. some guys get all bent out of shape about nothing. Bottom line you guys are busting your humps just like us. This was all Momma CALs cluster Fork in the first place. Safe Flying.

 

[V1cutsrfun]

Its now "The Kitty-Stands", not the hardstands...read your notams.

I did see this notam..."kitty stands" was typed over in boldface and now reads "THE CAT BOX".

Oh...my favorite was the Reserve Capt...sent to fly the CRJ..... A noble gesture on schedulings behalf...to bad he was typed rated on the ERJ instead!!!!

I laughed until it hurt....poor guy was arguing on the this is a CRJ!!!!! I have a type for the ERJ...WTF!!!! Gawd Damn that was funny!!!!

 

[PSUPilot]

It isn't true. It has been kind of a rough start, but we are too cost effective to drop, plus the numbers are looking ok now (still not great). Completion is over 97% and while ontime still sucks, its due to late bording on the hard stand in IAH most of the time. I just did a four day and we were always ontime in outstations, frequently late in IAH and when we were it was always because the last buss of pax arrived at or <5min prior to departure. (despite calling for them >30 prior.)
BTW, I think the contract is amendable after 24 months...so the earliest it could happen is early 09.

You are too cost-effective????? What are you smoking?!?! CAL has supposedly spend over $40 million EXTRA on Chautauqua so far...in 2.5 months! Meanwhile, XJT has many benefits which actually probably make us more cost-effective - excellent maintenance department, our own paint shop, modifying our aircraft to increase max. weights, XR's, etc. The differences between the two companies are night and day...

 

[volav8r1]

Look the reason why i put the disclaimer out there was to make sure this was a discussion not me jabbing at CHQ crews. I firmly believe the problems that yall have been are solely to blame on Mgmt for not giving you the resources to make it happen. some guys get all bent out of shape about nothing. Bottom line you guys are busting your humps just like us. This was all Momma CALs cluster Fork in the first place. Safe Flying.

I didn't take it that way. I guess my tone was mistaken. I have been nothing but impressed with the XJT crews and gate agents (the rampers are a different story).

No hard feelings here!

 

[Superpilot92]

I didn't take it that way. I guess my tone was mistaken. I have been nothing but impressed with the XJT crews and gate agents (the rampers are a different story).

No hard feelings here!

Neither here. In fact i had lunch with one of you guys not that long ago. also to clarify all the Alot of the Agents our XJT employees but at The Hubs they are all CAL. Some of the out stations still have cal agents but not that many. Cya around

 

[Edge540]

You are too cost-effective????? What are you smoking?!?! CAL has supposedly spend over $40 million EXTRA on Chautauqua so far...in 2.5 months! Meanwhile, XJT has many benefits which actually probably make us more cost-effective - excellent maintenance department, our own paint shop, modifying our aircraft to increase max. weights, XR's, etc. The differences between the two companies are night and day...

Huge props on spelling it right!!! That is normally how you can tell if someone works for CHQ.

The bottom line is CO chose CHQ to do this flying for some reason, a backstabbing or manipulative reason most likely. They KNEW CHQ would cost a ton during start up. CHQ to my understanding has pretty good MX. Their paint jobs? Not that great.

The main reason CHQ is having trouble with this CO bs is:

1) The company is understaffed in every way, making easy tasks difficult.
2) Operating out of the Bravo Hardstands at IAH is no good.
3) The rampers and gate agents at IAH have the intelligence of a 3rd grader, and they walk around like they are on sleeping pills.
4) The CRJ-200 was an extremely poor choice of airplane for the routes given to them.
5) In the CRJ you can't close the door and pop the break on time and hand out the paperwork out the window 1 min. later


Both CHQ and ExpressJet have a fantastic pilot group. I have had nothing but good things to say about anyone I have met at either company. This crappy regional vs. crappy regional stuff must stop. Lets just all smile and get along. After all, MGMT is responsible for all of this mess. The crews just show up and do their job the best they can.

 

[Whydoitry]

This crappy regional vs. crappy regional stuff must stop. Lets just all smile and get along. After all, MGMT is responsible for all of this mess. The crews just show up and do their job the best they can.[/quote]

I agree it's mgt fault, the entire IAH operation is run by CAL. But I disagree about crappy regional vs crappy regional. I'm not going into "us vs. you" argument, but I am very proud of my company for many reasons, and would never call it crappy. For whatever it is worth XJT is an outstanding airline to work for with better work rules and better employee/mgt relations than most/any legacy carriers. This is a company that many are choosing to make a career with, and it's obviously not about the size of the planes we fly.

 

[Master Shake]

This crappy regional vs. crappy regional stuff must stop.

THIS will, but with Eagle on our junk in RDU and now Horizon in BOI and GEG we'll see these threads morph into something new.

Horizon pilot: We serve the finest micro-brews the Pacific Nothwest produces...for free.

Expressjet pilot: Yeah, we'll our Coors only costs a buck and you get ther whole can!

____________

Eagle pilot: Our passengers are earing valueable miles on American.

ExpressJet pilot: Well we don't charge for a pillow or a blanket!

Let the fun begin uke: