Chicago Express

[antney]

Well guys, from what ACA has announced today ATA better make a plan soon, and not use the usuall 18 month thing on us anymore. This will be interesting to see if they decide to attack or sit back and watch things pan out! Hopefully they will attack sooner than later, atleast not when its to late.
Anthony

 

[ataopsdave]

hey antney what have you heard about getting new planes, i think that they are pretty deadset on the saab 2000. I heard they are getting good incentives.

 

[ataopsdave]

what do you think is going to happen in the next 6-12 mos

 

[100LL... Again!]

On the difference between the 340 and the 2000:

Pontiac Fiero.

Corvette.

Both GM, but what a difference.

 

[antney]

FlyChicago you have worked in the GO while an intern, now you are in the process of being a line pilot. We all have been hearing this 18 month thing for years, with some pilots hearing it since 5 years ago. 18 months we'll have RJs on the feild. I would love to beleive it, and I sure hope your right, but like your previous qoute, when were calling gear up on a revenue flight its a done deal.
And no, havent heard anything on new aircraft. But the talk is very heavy about the Saab 2000 and the amount of them is high as well. But this is talk until we start training, then we can get a little excited.
Anthony

 

[getfurloaded]

i thought jets

I was just on Chicago Express and in Mickelsons article in the Travel mag, he mentions that they are going to be making fleet improvements at Chicago Express and that meant jet service soon?

any thoughts

 

[FO for life]

js31:

Fly is right about the Saabs coming from Crossair (now Swiss) - they are replacing the Saabs with Embraers. The GM Saab 2000's were certified under part 135 with only 36 seats in them so some major paperwork and recertification would have to be done to get them over to part 121.

FO

 

[ataopsdave]

do you think that the announcement made today from ata will hamper the efforts to get new planes

 

[antney]

No. The saab 340 right now holds 34 passengers, with the effects of new weights by the FAA will bring us down to 32, maybe even 31 passengers, loosing more passengers for ATA and not being able to sell as many seats. This will greatlly impact there service and make them do something now or soon. Now I beleive the 737 holds around 157 pax, the saab has 34 for now, thats a big difference if they want us to feed their routes with just saab 340s. I beleive the saab 2000 is a fix for the problem at hand, making us being able to carry 50 passengers, enable more passengers to be carried onto ATA. Yes today might hamper any thoughts on RJs for right now, but they will be here, not as soon as we would all like. The Saab 2000 looks like a near future reality. It will be fun for us pilots, finally an aircraft with an APU, but for the passengers they will just have to handle those 6 HUGE props outside the window!
Anthony

 

[ataopsdave]

antney i also agree with you. the 737 actually holds 175. I believe that the saab 2000 is a near future relaity. how many do you think we will get and do you think we will kep the 340's. what have you heard from management.

 

[antney]

It would be a complete replacement of the Saab 340 fleet. So number whys atleast 17 of them. If there is more not to sure. I do know we would only be able to take 2 per month, due to keeping the 340 program running until the 2000 are all on the property. Now I know there have been higher numbers of saab 2000 discussed, but this coming from management it would be 17, replacing our 340 fleet, but then again nothing is set in stone for now. Its hard to say, but if something does happen, expect it within 60 to 90 days for it to happen. That is my guess, which doesnt mean anything, actually its probably way off and is more like the companys 18 month deal!!!!LOL. You'll hear as much as I do, if I find out sooner, it wont be by much more time. So to answer your quesiton the 340 will be here only until we receive all the saab 2000's.
Anthony

 

[antney]

Oh one more thing that is if we even get the new aircraft!!!!!
Anthony

 

[Snapperhead]

Are you the same Anthony that went to Riddle? If so, thanks for the letter of recom. about 1 1/2 yrs ago when I got furloughed. It's real nice how you helped a fellow alum. I'll never forget.

 

[antney]

No sorry not the same guy, but if he did that for you that is great, and you have a great attitude back form it. Sorry it isnt me though.
Anthony

 

[antney]

Yep, was that you with the upgrade while we were on break?
Anthony

 

[bigD]

Okay - two things:

1) Is **** a chick?
2) If the answer to question 1 is "yes", then is she hot?

 

[antney]

And FlyChicago it was finally good to put a face to all of your posts!!!! Good luck in Minny, you'll have a good time, ecspecially if Brady is your instructor!
Anthony

 

[Snapperhead]

I was being sarcastic. Karma's gonna get ya.

 

[bigD]

D@mn! FlyChicaga's not even out of class and already he has the daddy mack goin' on!

 

[I.P. Freley]

I've heard it a hundred times now, "this company's getting ERJ's", "that company's getting Canadairs", "this other company is getting 90-seaters", yada-yada-yada.

But... "Chicago Express is getting Saab 2000's"?

This is really the first time I can recall that I am simply salivating with jealousy.

I figure I'll get my turbofan-equipped airplane SOME day, but figured I'd never get to fly a 2000.... But it didn't matter, there were so few of them here in the States that practically noone else got to fly them, either. No biggie, right?

ARRRRRGH!!

Anyone want to write me a rec letter?