Continental Q400 Flying?

[RJP]

Can anyone explain the details of the rumored Q400 flying that CO wants to do out of EWR and IAH? I think I read somewhere in here that Colgan bid on it amongst others. Where do they think they can get Q400s? Who's flying is going away to make room for this?

Any info out there?

 

[belchfire]

I dunno, but they are probably the only ones that could get Captians to do it for $37/hr...maybe regions air!

 

[SuperKooter]

Colgan isn't getting any more flying, They runa ********************ty operation and cal doesn't want to give them anymore than needed.

 

[Kaman]

Not a Colgan momer by any means, but I think that the same comment could be echoed about more than a couple of CRJ/ERJ operators as well. I also AGREE that Colgan has more than a full plate, and unless they consider a re-tooling of the company. By this I mean completely dropping the SAAB/Beech and go to say an all Q-400 fleet of perhaps 30 airplanes. The likelyhood of this coming to fruition is very remote, because of the amount of capital that they would have to raise...So, I think that the staus qou will be maintained and no Q-400s at CJC. If any other flying is brought in, it will be more SAAB on the UE side out of IAD to replace CRJ/ERJ on the short routes.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[BigDave]

Well IAH possible, EWR turbo props not going to happen. Jets only out EWR.

 

[Prop2Jet]

SuperKooter you stink!

 

[Ainokea]

Not sure about the rumor I heard but possibly a company in Hawaii working it out there. Brrr...

 

[heywatchthis]

re-tooling of the company.
ex-Navy Rotorhead

How about a re-tooling in management, or just anybody willing to "MANAGE" the operations, might make the difference.

 

[suupah]

Colgan isn't getting any more flying, They runa ********************ty operation and cal doesn't want to give them anymore than needed.

well things are getting better. we were like #8 in airline on time. we even beat the illustrious, amazing Gods of aviation sky west. I guess they are starting to Do the Colgan on time.

 

[Sedona16]

My prediction.....this will go to SkyWest. JA has said in the past he is interested in the Q400 but would need enough airplanes to justify the additions to the training dept, MX, etc. With Continental putting the bid out for 24 initially and JA once again affirming in his last conference call that he is looking at building on the already good reputation Skywest had with Continental (operated EMBz out of Houston but had to pull out because the bro wasnt the right plane) I think its a done deal. Also this is just the sort of move SGU would make to show the industry how they will buck the trends (buy turboprops) to pick up money wherever it is to be made. Not only that but once they got the training implimented i could see them picking up an additional ten Q400 to operate/replace out of SCL and DEN. Theres my two bits.

Having said all that I think SGU and JA are turning into greedy businessmen who are pushing their employees too far while hoarding all the money for themselves. Off the soapbox.

 

[SuperKooter]

My prediction.....this will go to SkyWest. JA has said in the past he is interested in the Q400 but would need enough airplanes to justify the additions to the training dept, MX, etc. With Continental putting the bid out for 24 initially and JA once again affirming in his last conference call that he is looking at building on the already good reputation Skywest had with Continental (operated EMBz out of Houston but had to pull out because the bro wasnt the right plane) I think its a done deal. Also this is just the sort of move SGU would make to show the industry how they will buck the trends (buy turboprops) to pick up money wherever it is to be made. Not only that but once they got the training implimented i could see them picking up an additional ten Q400 to operate/replace out of SCL and DEN. Theres my two bits.

Having said all that I think SGU and JA are turning into greedy businessmen who are pushing their employees too far while hoarding all the money for themselves. Off the soapbox.

Probably,

Its going to Skywest and they will make ASA fly it and replace all those clunky old ATRS with q400s.

 

[bizicmo]

Where in the world did people get the idea that turboprops aren't allowed into EWR. Talk about a rumor going wild. I have heard that so many times.

 

[mckpickle]

Where in the world did people get the idea that turboprops aren't allowed into EWR. Talk about a rumor going wild. I have heard that so many times.

It was a ruling issued by the port authority back in the late 90's. They said that unless you already fly turbo props into EWR you cannot add any. They were trying to ease the congestion of the airport. So basically unless you already fly them into there you can't put them there now. Which is why I think PDT stills flys a couple a week in.....to hold their turbo-prop slot.

 

[Ainokea]

Good luck in finding any Q400s, heard that Qx has an order in place for 15 and there are others out there with orders as well. check out q400.com for the official stats.

 

[bizicmo]

I understand that the port authority may have ruled that but things change. Your telling me that no amount of money or political pressure can ever change that ruling. If say Continental says this has to change or any other airline your telling me its not going to happen. Slavery was outlawed, abortion became legal, death penalties have come, gone and come back. I find it hard to believe that something less important like turboprop flying into EWR cannot change.
Just curious, what if a company has EWR in their ops specs but just doesn't currently fly there? Would that count?

 

[vtchaz]

Get a clue

I dunno, but they are probably the only ones that could get Captians to do it for $37/hr...maybe regions air!

.
.

That's just an idiotic statement. Colgan already pays far more than that on the SAAB. They would pay an industry standard rate for 70+ seat turboprops. I have no doubt. They are at their core, fair. But they are running a business not a charity and they will remain competitive.

As for running a ********************ty operation, any complaints I read on here are in fact improving and Colgan's numbers have been at the head of the class. And anyone that says those numbers are good just because we don't use ACARS has their head stuck up where it doesn't belong. You can't fudge numbers THAT much. Plus lets not forget there are plenty of ways to mess with the numbers, even using ACARS.

So keep bashing Colgan...you keep wasting your time and energy doing that and they'll come right up behind you and take all the good new contracts. Why? Because they're the cheapest? Not necessarily. Because they will be giving the carrier what they want. A contract where we take on the risk and pay the expenses with good on-time performance and excellent completion factor (try and find a cancelled flight at Colgan on any given day...doesn't happen too often). Don't think many other regionals are giving them the same deal.

 

[RJP]

Not sure about the rumor I heard but possibly a company in Hawaii working it out there. Brrr...

We heard that one too. Hmmmmm.

 

[Sedona16]

They can ramp up production increases on this airplane fairly easily if they get increased orders.....airframe manufacturers do it all the time....just gotta re-allocate resources as necessary.

Good luck in finding any Q400s, heard that Qx has an order in place for 15 and there are others out there with orders as well. check out q400.com for the official stats.

 

[Sedona16]

One more reason JA will probably buy this airplane is because the non contract pseudo agreement with the pilots currently has one payrate that covers all turboprops. You can rest assured that just like the way he took advantage of his pilots on a "temporary" agreement to fly up to 99 for 50 seat rates that now appears permanent he will have no regrets weighing on his conscious to have HIS pilots flying 70 seat turboprops for a fraction of what others have on the contract with their pilots. It’s a no brainer for him....he just needed the right opportunity (enough starting planes) to make the ramp up worth it. Not only that but Bombardier is now looking at a 100 seater "DASH" that will probably have the same type. Tell me Jerry isn’t the kind of guy who wouldn’t think down the road with a smile on face of HIS pilots flying a hundred seater that is extremely efficient for sixty bucks an hour (for both pilots....80 bucks for an entire crew)? Like I said, it’s a no brainer for him. Whereas not long after his motorcycle accident he seemed to have temporarily found some integrity he’s fallen back into a no moral, no ethics, JUST BUSINESS, don’t give a dam about the employee’s attitude. Hope that goes well on his grave stone!

Stepping down from the soap box.

 

[mckpickle]

I understand that the port authority may have ruled that but things change. Your telling me that no amount of money or political pressure can ever change that ruling. If say Continental says this has to change or any other airline your telling me its not going to happen. Slavery was outlawed, abortion became legal, death penalties have come, gone and come back. I find it hard to believe that something less important like turboprop flying into EWR cannot change.
Just curious, what if a company has EWR in their ops specs but just doesn't currently fly there? Would that count?

Dude, relax. I'm not saying it can't or won't change. I'm explaining the rule that has been in place for a number of years. If Larry K or one of his hired goons makes a big political deal out of gas prices etc it may change. I'm just answering the question as to the rule as it is currently in place. Ops Specs mean nothing to the Port Authority BTW. If it did matter than CAL's best bet would be to convince XJT to get the ATR 72's back so they could be run VFR like the old days. The amount of trafic problems that were alleviated by going VFR was amazing......29 from ROMEO....V1, RAMADA

 

[bizicmo]

I'm sorry if came out unrelaxed. I didn't mean to.

 

[bizicmo]

Is VFR still allowed? Here at commutair we were told that after sept 11 VFR was not allowed. Please tell me that they didn't lie to me.

 

[Gfunk27]

Someone lied or really misinformed you...of course VFR is still allowed...but it is not encouraged being that you aren't receiving the full array of separation services you get under IFR, where i work there is a very specific protocol for when and how to go about it. Usually joint approval between the PIC and dispatch.

 

[007]

.
.

That's just an idiotic statement. Colgan already pays far more than that on the SAAB. They would pay an industry standard rate for 70+ seat turboprops. I have no doubt. They are at their core, fair. But they are running a business not a charity and they will remain competitive.

As for running a ********************ty operation, any complaints I read on here are in fact improving and Colgan's numbers have been at the head of the class. And anyone that says those numbers are good just because we don't use ACARS has their head stuck up where it doesn't belong. You can't fudge numbers THAT much. Plus lets not forget there are plenty of ways to mess with the numbers, even using ACARS.

So keep bashing Colgan...you keep wasting your time and energy doing that and they'll come right up behind you and take all the good new contracts. Why? Because they're the cheapest? Not necessarily. Because they will be giving the carrier what they want. A contract where we take on the risk and pay the expenses with good on-time performance and excellent completion factor (try and find a cancelled flight at Colgan on any given day...doesn't happen too often). Don't think many other regionals are giving them the same deal.

Dude, what world do you live in?
I have never seen so engines blow up on takeoff just watching those guys in IAH. I don't know about you but without ACARS I could Fudge the numbers as much as I wanted. With Acars it'a little harder. Excellent time and completion factor! I want some the sh8t you're smoking.

 

[mckpickle]

Is VFR still allowed? Here at commutair we were told that after sept 11 VFR was not allowed. Please tell me that they didn't lie to me.

I did it until the last ATR left EWR.....I atually did the LAST VFR from EWR on a ferry flight to IAH. We were buzzing up and donw the Hudson at 1500/2000 feet while the WTC was smoking and right up until May of 02 when we left. There was a TFR around ground zero but that was easily avoided.

 

[StuckMic]

I dunno, but they are probably the only ones that could get Captians to do it for $37/hr...maybe regions air!

That's just an idiotic statement. Colgan already pays far more than that on the SAAB. They would pay an industry standard rate for 70+ seat turboprops. I have no doubt. They are at their core, fair. But they are running a business not a charity and they will remain competitive.

1st year SAAB Captain at Colgan makes $40/hr. Do you really consider that “far more” than $37/hr.?

 

[OPECJet]

I'm not sure I understand that whole EWR ban on turboprops. PDT didn't fly the Dash in there for long time. We just recently started back up with PIT flights. We're not flying it to PHL from EWR.

 

[vtchaz]

1st year SAAB Captain at Colgan makes $40/hr. Do you really consider that “far more” than $37/hr.?

Most captains are in their second year when they upgrade, which is $42/hr and that's 15% more than the $37....which yes, I do consider a huge difference.

It's also a very standard rate in the industry for the aircraft. Always has been, always will be.

 

[vtchaz]

Dude, what world do you live in?
I have never seen so engines blow up on takeoff just watching those guys in IAH. I don't know about you but without ACARS I could Fudge the numbers as much as I wanted. With Acars it'a little harder. Excellent time and completion factor! I want some the sh8t you're smoking.

Dude don't have a clue what you're talking about...when did these "engines blow up on takeoff"?? I can't find any info on it with the FAA. If there truly were a trend happening, like you imply, the FAA would be all over us.

I'm sure there have been a few air returns and aborted takeoffs, just like every carrier out there. Should we count the number of RJs lately having INFLIGHT fires or mainline carriers with inflight engine shutdowns? Or perhaps mainline evacuations on the runway? No we don't. Because that would be stupid. It's the nature of our business. We are trained to handle these situations. Why? Because they DO happen. It's just a matter of time before it happens to everyone. Just a numbers game. So let's not pretend it's unique to Colgan just because it makes it easier to pretend they're doing everything wrong and your own company is perfect.

 

[John Pennekamp]

The bid isn't for "Q400 flying", it's for "70 seat turboprop flying". ASA has bid on the contract with the existing ATRs and is rumored to be a front runner. That would give the ATRs a place to go when Delta kicks them out starting in October.