Commutair and Jets? --- Fact or Fiction

[LaxPilot]

I've heard that Continental has approached Commutair to fly "jets" based in Florida.

Is this Fact or Fiction?

Understanding the Commutair has just finished litigation on the ESOP lawsuit, and waiting a judgement from the federal cout and how they turned down the Houston base which Skywest jumped on. I don't see this happening.

 

[B190Captain]

I've heard that Continental has approached Commutair to fly "jets" based in Florida.

Is this Fact or Fiction?

Understanding the Commutair has just finished litigation on the ESOP lawsuit, and waiting a judgement from the federal cout and how they turned down the Houston base which Skywest jumped on. I don't see this happening.

I am pretty sure it's fiction.

 

[CA1900]

I've heard that Continental has approached Commutair to fly "jets" based in Florida.

Is this Fact or Fiction?

Heh... these folks can't even bring themselves to purchase something with more than 19 seats. They're running PAIRS of 1900s, full, at the exact same times, to Buffalo every day!

If we got a larger turboprop, I'd be very surprised.

If we got jets, I think I'd eat my own head in shock. I'd say it's definitely fiction.

 

[NEDude]

Continental approaching CommutAir and inquiring about us doing something, and us actually doing it are two different things. I am sure Continental has asked us about doing some other operations for them, but I wouldn't hold my breath over it. Since I have been here, we almost bought Shuttle America, almost got Saab 340s, almost got ATRs, almost got Emb-120s, almost got Saab 340s, almost started Houston service, almost got Saab 340s, almost started some Delta Connection flying, almost got Saab 340s, almost started Florida flying, almost got Saab 340s, almost opened another hub, almost got Saab 340s, almost got RJs. Last I heard, we were looking closely at getting some reconditioned Saab 340s.

 

[rway36]

1900 D

Hey just wondering why CommutAir has 4 1900D parked and wrapped in storage in ABQ. Was told they are 2000 year model. Look brand new. I believe the tail numbers were 58, 59, 60 & 61.

 

[deskjobssuck]

I'm just about positive that the aircraft you saw in ABQ are from our original fleet, that is before we got new planes in 2000-01. I do know that we have a couple of planes that aren't equipped quite the same as the rest and that's because Raytheon couldn't supply any more with our standard features. If we still had planes in the desert with the EGPWS, I'm sure we would have taken those before planes that didn't have it. However, being the brain surgeons that they are, they did manage to paint the planes in Continental colors before they sent them to the desert. Wish we could get rid of these superfly blue paint jobs we have now.

It hardly matters, though, because we're getting Saabs. I mean E120s. I mean Dash 8s - totally refurbished from the factory! I mean jets.

After Wexford buys us, of course.

 

[NEDude]

58 is online. Probably 59-62. They are not 2000 models, they are the last of the 'old' 1995 models. Funny thing is, if I remember correctly, they were all painted in Continental colors, unlike a majority of the new ones. I flew 860 on IOE and it had the power steering system, none of the 2000 models have it. They were parked in April or May of 2001. All 26 of our 2000 models are still on property and flying.

 

[upndsky]

I thought that ExpressJet aka Continental Express had an agreement with Continental (at least for the next few years) to be their exlusive regional jet provider. I'm not positive so let me know if I'm wrong.

 

[deskjobssuck]

I thought the agreement was only for hub flying. Probably wrong about that, though. I can see it now - ERjs from ALB to HPN. Too bad we couldn't paint them with peeling blue paint.

 

[NEDude]

The agreement for hub ends December 31, 2006. Just over 2.5 years from now. It will take any new provider, if they have not operated jets before, at least a year to year and a half to bring the airplanes online. So it is conceivable that some preliminary discussions could be ongoing at this point. Also it does not cover non-hub point to point flying. I think CAL may be looking at more point to point stuff as a way to fill in some gaps should USAirways go under.

Lastly, ExpressJet management supposedly is no longer interested in operating the 30 ERJ-135s they have (this comes from XJT folks in my crashpad), due to costs being about the same as the larger ones, but having less seats. But CAL still wants them in the system. So CAL, who controls them, is rummored (for what that is worth) to be shopping them around to other carriers. Don't rule out ExpressJet management allowing a change in the contract to allow another carrier to operate RJs into the hubs if it gets them out of the 135s. It all depends on what they feel is in their best interests long-term. Who knows what goes on in the minds of management.

 

[LearLove]

I would'n supprise me that this info is leaked as a result of the ongoing Xjet contract talks.

 

[nimtz]

I would'n supprise me that this info is leaked as a result of the ongoing Xjet contract talks.

CR@P! BETTER HURRY UP AND TAKE THE COMPANY'S LAST OFFER GUYS! REAL AIRLINE, KIND OF REAL CONTRACT!

 

[BluDevAv8r]

The agreement for hub ends December 31, 2006. Just over 2.5 years from now. It will take any new provider, if they have not operated jets before, at least a year to year and a half to bring the airplanes online. So it is conceivable that some preliminary discussions could be ongoing at this point. Also it does not cover non-hub point to point flying. I think CAL may be looking at more point to point stuff as a way to fill in some gaps should USAirways go under.

Lastly, ExpressJet management supposedly is no longer interested in operating the 30 ERJ-135s they have (this comes from XJT folks in my crashpad), due to costs being about the same as the larger ones, but having less seats. But CAL still wants them in the system. So CAL, who controls them, is rummored (for what that is worth) to be shopping them around to other carriers. Don't rule out ExpressJet management allowing a change in the contract to allow another carrier to operate RJs into the hubs if it gets them out of the 135s. It all depends on what they feel is in their best interests long-term. Who knows what goes on in the minds of management.

NEDude,

I can guarantee you that the guys in your crashpad do not have any factual information related to whether or not the company is looking to get rid of the 135's. XJT management will everything in its power to maintain its exclusivity protection for as long as possible. For example, CAL management deferred some deliveries of our jets over 12 months ago and as a result, we experienced a 1 year addition to the exclusivity portion of the CPA. They do not want out of the 135's "that badly" that they will give business away worth millions of dollars to their net income.

It is no secret, however, that the 135 is not as attractive on an economic basis as the 145. I don't think any of these rumors are related to contract negotiations either. Of course, you can take all of this for what it is worth (and my opinion isn't worth much). But yes, I agree, who knows what goes on in the head's of management.

-Neal

-Neal

 

[NEDude]

I can guarantee you that the guys in your crashpad do not have any factual information related to whether or not the company is looking to get rid of the 135's.

While I do not know for sure myself, there are three new hire XJT F/Os in my crashpad and all three have said that they were told by management (I believe they said Nides - supposedly the chief pilot or something like that) that they were looking into getting rid of the 135s. As for the intentions about exclusive service into the hubs, I was purely speculating about possible scenarios, not repeating any information I have heard from anyone. Sorry if I wasn't clear. Who knows what will happen. In any case, as for the original topic of this post, I wouldn't hold your breath or get too worked about about CommutAir flying any regional jets. Not unless we get bought by someone else - then all bets are off.

 

[BluDevAv8r]

While I do not know for sure myself, there are three new hire XJT F/Os in my crashpad and all three have said that they were told by management (I believe they said Nides - supposedly the chief pilot or something like that) that they were looking into getting rid of the 135s. As for the intentions about exclusive service into the hubs, I was purely speculating about possible scenarios, not repeating any information I have heard from anyone. Sorry if I wasn't clear. Who knows what will happen. In any case, as for the original topic of this post, I wouldn't hold your breath or get too worked about about CommutAir flying any regional jets. Not unless we get bought by someone else - then all bets are off.

Sure. Anything is possible. My only point is that I doubt that our management is going to give the 135's to another carrier operating under the CAL brand so that they can operate in/out of CAL's hubs and provide an exception to our exclusivity agreement under the CPA.

Jim Nides (VP of Flight Operations/MX) does indeed speak to all of the new hire classes and likes to talk about future possibilities, growth, contract negotiations, etc.

-Neal

 

[Obi-Wan]

Neal is right. What you have to remember is that CAL still owns us no matter what they show on paper. All of CAL big hochos own XJT stock and i do not think they would want to devalue the stock and add to the value of another company ,ie Commutair and Skywest. The current agreement will stay as long as it is still profitable. XJT already has its roots in the system and it would take lots of capital to bring in another company. Bottom line is they are curently getting the best product they can for the money.