Chataqua in MCO

[Wats]

I was in MCO the other day and heard from one of the ramp guys that Chataqua was massaging their times so much that the DOT got involved. Now Delta ramp tower double checks when they actually block out. Any of you Chataqua folks know if that's true or not?

 

[asarjfo]

I assume you mean they were leaving late and calling it on time?

 

[sleepy]

They can't be any worse that us (ASA) in ATL. With this call it out when the door is closed, then wait :30 min to be pushed back system

 

[cl-65link]

Thank God, I don't have to worry about that BS anymore. We have ACARS at Pinnacle. If you're late, you're late. End of story.

 

[asarjfo]

They can't be any worse that us (ASA) in ATL. With this call it out when the door is closed, then wait :30 min to be pushed back system

I have not had it that bad yet. I think the most time between closing the door and pushing was about 15 minutes and that was due to traffic behind us. I will say this, ASA is 100% better now than it was when I started 2 1/2 years ago. There are still areas that need improvement, but we are heading in the right direction.

 

[surplus1]

No offense intended to ASA flight crews, but the worse thing that ever happened to Comair was being forced to operate in Atlanta. The ground handling and the csa's can't be matched anywhere. Yuk!

 

[Brother Francis]

The ground handling and the csa's can't be matched anywhere. Yuk!

I bet the "F" terminal at PHL would give ATL a run for the money.

Back on topic, there have been rumors of some discrepancies between times called by crews and by op's for the same flight, but it is unknown to me whether it is in response to any trend or pattern. I've heard nothing about DOT involvement.

I have seen the aircraft buttoned up and pushed back, then additional bags loaded once it is off the gate "on time."

 

[asarjfo]

No offense intended to ASA flight crews, but the worse thing that ever happened to Comair was being forced to operate in Atlanta. The ground handling and the csa's can't be matched anywhere. Yuk!

Funny, we feel the worst thing to happen to ASA is Comair in ATL too! Don't knock ATL, it is allowing you guys to expand when most (ASA) are not.

 

[AviatorTim]

I think Brother Francis is right. I can't imagine anyone worse than F terminal at PHL. In fact, the airport gets a rebate from the Criminal Justice Department because crime drops in Philly when the night shift goes to work at the airport. (just kidding)

 

[surplus1]

Funny, we feel the worst thing to happen to ASA is Comair in ATL too! Don't knock ATL, it is allowing you guys to expand when most (ASA) are not.

My friend, I can't help but knock ATL, it's a zoo in which the animals are not fenced in. That has NOTHING to do with ASA flight crews, as I tried to say. You are our brothers and we think only good things about you.

I can only guess, but if Delta did not "own" Comair I doubt seriously you would ever have seen a CMR jet in ATL. It literally destroys the performance of the company.

 

[asarjfo]

My friend, I can't help but knock ATL, it's a zoo in which the animals are not fenced in. That has NOTHING to do with ASA flight crews, as I tried to say. You are our brothers and we think only good things about you.

I can only guess, but if Delta did not "own" Comair I doubt seriously you would ever have seen a CMR jet in ATL. It literally destroys the performance of the company.

You are right.....it is a zoo, but much better than a couple of years ago believe it or not! I can not speak for all 1,600 ASA pilots, but the majority I have flown with hold no ill will towards Comair.

That being said it is still frustrating to lose sooooooo much flying while junior ASA pilots continue to move backwards with the EMB retirement. We lost more RJ lines for the month of June. At one point we had around 226 hard lines. For the month of June we are down to 204. Now granted DFW lines have increased, but that does not help the ATL crews who are surrounded by Comair jets.

Just curious, why don't your crews come into ops during your breaks?

Good luck in ATL, has there been any talk about a crew base in ATL for Comair?

Looking forward to seein MCO/CVG some day..........

 

[surplus1]

You are right.....it is a zoo, but much better than a couple of years ago believe it or not! I can not speak for all 1,600 ASA pilots, but the majority I have flown with hold no ill will towards Comair.

I'm glad to hear that for I know that we have no ill-will towards you guys/gals. We were expecting and hoping that you would takeover our MCO domicile, but we both know what happened there. When your ATR's started coming to CVG I've never heard even one negative comment. There were many negative comments when the DorkJets came there.

That being said it is still frustrating to lose sooooooo much flying while junior ASA pilots continue to move backwards with the EMB retirement. We lost more RJ lines for the month of June. At one point we had around 226 hard lines. For the month of June we are down to 204. Now granted DFW lines have increased, but that does not help the ATL crews who are surrounded by Comair jets.

I'm sorry to hear that you feel you are losing flying to Comair jets. Are your Company's total block hours decreasing? I did not think that was the case, but I'm really not sure. If your total block hours are not decreasing, then you aren't losing anything to us. What about the incursion of Skywest? Has that reduced your block hours? I think a lot of what we are seeing has to do with the entry of Chautauqua. They've brought a lot of airframes into the picture that would otherwise have been ASA or Comair. Maybe they are not in ATL, but they will soon be all over the system. It is hardly the "Florida flying" that was advertised.

Since you are currently negotiating, I have little doubt that Delta is trying to show you that you are not indispensible. Offer them a CHQ or MESA type deal and you'll mushroom in a heartbeat. They have been able to shift the flying to CHQ without spending a dime on aircraft. Also, CHQ's lower labor costs permit them to underbid both of us for the flying. I don't think its Comair that's costing you, it's the others that are costing us both.

Just curious, why don't your crews come into ops during your breaks?

I don't think there's any special "reason" for that so please don't read anything into it. We don't spend much time in our own ops in CVG during breaks. Usually you only find the reserves in ops. For whatever reason Comair pilots don't usually spend much time in ops unless they have to. It could also be that no one bothered to tell us where it is. I, for one, don't know how to find it from inside the terminal and I confess I try to bid around ATL if I can. Can't stay on time when I go there. I'll see if I can encourage some visits if you think that would be beneficial.

Good luck in ATL, has there been any talk about a crew base in ATL for Comair?

Thanks. No, I haven't heard even a rumor about an ATL crew base. There was talk about DFW when we lost MCO but recently that has quieted right down. I suspect it was just a company placebo. There is some rumor about the east coast from time to time, but the only people I know that want that are folks that come from that part of the planet. I admit Texas or Utah would be nice.

Looking forward to seein MCO/CVG some day..........

Hope your wish comes true. Take care and Fly Safe.

 

[PROFLYER]

Surplus,

I'd like to add that there certainly shouldn't be any ill thoughts between ASA and CMR pilots. For that matter, I can't stand people who are upset with CHT and SKW pilots. We're all just pilots flying where the boss tells us.

As far as CMR moving into ATL: ASA is losing flying! I don't hold a grudge against CMR pilots for that, but it's just a fact of life right now. We are getting 21 RJs this year, but they are replacing almost 30 E120's. CMR is getting over 30 RJs which are all growth aircraft. While CMR is taking over ATL flying from ASA, we're losing most of our E120 flying in DFW to CHT. Our fleet is suppose to shrink this year, but should rebound by late 03/early 04. I believe we've got 11 more RJs coming this year, and then 15 more CR7's next year. After that, our firm orders are done. Obviously, the big question around here is what will happen with the several hundred RJ options that are held by DCI.

I was curious what you guys at CMR are hearing about future RJ deliveries. If I'm not mistaken, your firm orders will be complete next year as well. Any word on what the future holds on your fleet?

Without more aircraft orders, I'm afraid the good ole days at ASA/CMR may be over. For those of us low on the list waiting to upgrade, it could be a long wait. But then again, it's nice to be employed these days!

 

[shamrock]

If it wasn't for our crews things would be MUCH worse in ATL.

If we took the "it's not my job" attitude that is so prevalent then nothing would ever get done. We normally shouldn't have to call for cleaning, catering, or fuel and it should only take one call for something non-standard like lav dumps. (In my dreams, I know!) Right now, our esteemed colleagues on the ramp have figured out that if they wait long enough on a lav dump we'll leave without it and if they drag their feet on cleaning the FA (and pilots) will do it. Need a wheelchair on arrival? Don't bother telling ops. They'll just tell you to let the rampers know. So you do that and you passenger gets to sit for 10 minutes after everyone else has deplaned while they try to find a wheelchair.

Customer service at it's best!

Sorry for the rant. I usually don't get too worked up about this stuff but I just finished a 4 day with a bunch of DFW turns and had gotten used to competant help outside the airplane. I realize some people are trying to make things better but just for once I would like a day when the words "We would like to apologize for....." don't come over the PA.