Dash 8 400's at ASA?

[jegermeister]

Just flew with a senior capt. on the ATR. And according to him we were talking to the Canadians about getting the Q400 to replace the ATR-72's when their leases come up in two years. I told him I heard the rumor before and that the training dept. said it was just a rumor. He went on to say that this was new info and that they were already starting to negotiate lease terms. Any one else know more?

 

[wil]

I believe this has been in the works for some time as Bombardier has tried to get all of our business. I had heard that prior to 9/11 Bombardier was going to buy us out of those leases and put the new Q Series on line. With ACA cancelling some orders I bet it will put some pressure on the Canuks to give us a deal! Fly safe- Wil

 

[e120pilot]

I think we've all heard those Dash 8 rumors....only time will tell I guess. It would be nice to see those on property (if for no other reason than an APU).

As far as the ACA situation, I really don't think DAL will stick with ACA long term. I know there is some debate going on regarding scope (a/c over 70 seats), but I can't imagine DAL would want to help ACA while they attempt to start yet another low cost carrier on the east coast.

There was a rumor on this board a few weeks ago about ASA possibly getting 25 more CRJ-200's. Who knows if it's true, but it would make sense that we would be a possible replacement for ACA in CVG. DAL probably wouldn't want to give CMR those routes, since it would leave them with a monopoly in CVG again.

ASA is in the perfect position to take on new CRJ's since we're going to be VERY fat on the CRJ when the E120 guys finish training this fall.

Let's hope something is in the works to grow ASA once again.

 

[MECH]

I would be surprised if ASA took over in CVG for ACA. Why would Delta bring in another union carrier in contract negotiations. When Skywest is out there. Skywest is going to be a thorn that will not go away.

 

[Q200_FO]

If you get them....

You guys are going to LOVE the Q400. I'd bid for the airplane myself but it wouldn't be in my best interest right now.

 

[LearLove]

Hey Q_200 FO,

how does it work over there with the Dash 8's? Do FO/Capt fly both or do they have seperate lines for the 400 and 200?

 

[Q200_FO]

Here at QX....

seperate lines for both A/C. it's not too hard to jump from one to the other. Just have to do some differences training and you're set. It'd be nice If we got to fly different A/C every other month. Variety is the spice of life!

 

[~~~^~~~]

ASA has looked at the Dash 8's, but they are not as efficient as the ATR and it was hoped that ATR's would be available cheap. There were concerns that the additional speed made little difference on the ATR route structure (270 v/s 320 KTAS ) and that the Dash 8's were complicated and might be more difficult to maintain.

ASA is really in to reducing training costs and I was told that if we could get scope relief, the Company would prefer CRJ700's as ATR replacements. Although the CRJ700 cost a lot more to operate, the savings of not having another training department and maintenance resources made up for it.

The Dash 8 Q400 rumor goes around every 6 months. It is right on time!

 

[General Lee]

Fins,

We all know what comes next with scope relief? Wait, I guess I don't know what comes next..? I thought the next big step was 100 seaters, not more 70 seaters?

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[sleepy]

DAL would love to get 100 seat aircraft at ASA or Conair. I wonder what the DAL pilots could get from management in exchange for that? Keep their current pay, and to @&#* with the furloughed pilots. It wouldn't surprise me.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Fins,

We all know what comes next with scope relief? Wait, I guess I don't know what comes next..? I thought the next big step was 100 seaters, not more 70 seaters?

It was an off the cuff comment by Bryan LeBreque, the guy who negotiates ASA equipment purchases. He said he did not know what the airline would do when replacing the ATR's, but from a cost perspective it was about the same to operate an aircraft with 3 times the fuel burn as it was to open up a training department for a distinct aircraft type.

Candidly, if we could get the ground support for the ATR, it could go another 10 years. It is very efficient, has a bigger cabin and seats than an RJ, and would be reliable if it had the ground power plug in like you have on the MD88.

Per passenger, the ATR is the most profitable airplane in the Delta fleet, why mess with success?

 

[General Lee]

Fins,

Agreed. I jumped on an ASA ATR to PFN once and it was a pleasant experience, and it was full of teenie boppers going to Spring Break. I am sure ASA does make money on those, which in turn helps Delta.

Bye Bye--General Lee