Dornier 328 Jet Pilots at ACA or Comair?

[Heavy Set]

IF things continue to move along and ACA becomes Independence Air as planned, what is likely to become of the Delta Dornier Jet feed? I have heard that the 328 Jets could be purchased by Delta (per a contract) and then used by Comair. If this happens, would all/most Dornier 328 Jet pilots go to Comair?

If you currently fly the DoJet for ACA, do you want to go to Comair or would you rather stay with the growing Independence Air? Do you have a choice in the matter?

What is your current preference and how do you think this will be handled?

 

[RichO]

I'm certainly no expert, but from a jump seater or two that I spoke with it seems as they would rather not come over to Comair to fly the Dojet...........any ACA folks have the real answer?

PS...I wish you guys luck in airbus venture........It will be interesting to see if the industry can handle another low-cost carrier.....

 

[j41driver]

I would rather stick it out where I am. I think most people around my seniority (3/00 hire) feel the same way. I've seen a mix of opinions from our FO's. Probably depends upon where they are on the seniority list.

I don't think that they could force the 328 guys to leave involuntarily since it would have to completely disregard seniority. The most senior 328 guy is #52 out of 1616 on the most recent list.

 

[46Driver]

2 variables need to be answered before I decide:

1) If the MESA hostile takeover is successful, than yes, leave ACA

2) If Dornier pilots volunteer to go to Comair are given recall rights back to ACA - then sure, why not - Comair is an outstanding company. (I would assume there would be fences due to training costs.) If there are no recall rights back to ACA, then I am going to roll the dice and stay at ACA.

 

[Anaconda]

2) If Dornier pilots volunteer to go to Comair are given recall rights back to ACA - then sure, why not - Comair is an outstanding company. (I would assume there would be fences due to training costs.) If there are no recall rights back to ACA, then I am going to roll the dice and stay at ACA.

i doubt that is a variable since comair mgt would never allow a pilot to hold a seniority # at another airline. they would say either go comair or stay at aca

 

[General Lee]

Yeah, that probaby is true--they couldn't help our Delta furloughs either. That policy is obviously SET IN STONE.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[AFELLOWAVIATOR]

Yeah, that probaby is true--they couldn't help our Delta furloughs either. That policy is obviously SET IN STONE.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Since when is it their job or duty to "help" any furloughed pilot. If they did decide to "help", would you want them to only "help" Delta pilots? Or all pilots from all major airlines? Let it go Gen., that play by your MEC has already been exposed for what it was.

 

[46Driver]

i doubt that is a variable since comair mgt would never allow a pilot to hold a seniority # at another airline. they would say either go comair or stay at aca

The exception to this might be Comair would waive that rule to prevent a training bubble. Simulators for the Dornier are few and far between. So to have the 300-400 pilots and provide uninterrupted service, this could be a possibility. Just an idea.

 

[jobear]

I am pretty sure Delta wouldn't bring ACA DO328 pilots into the fold for One simple reason MONEY, Comair just told em to pound sand on wage consessions. Do you really think they would bring in that many pilots at Comair rates? Thoughts?
Not intended as flame bait.

Jobear

 

[j41driver]

It's not really worth speculating about at this time. I guess there are some people who know what is going to happen, but they certainly don't hang out on flightinfo.

 

[ace120]

Per Comair management no pilots will x-fer with the Do-Jet. No pilot will be hired with recall rights. Comair will preferential interview(not hire)ACA pilots. Of course DCI dictates who gets them. One thing is guarenteed if ACA executes there new low cost business plan they will not fly DAL colors.

 

[j41driver]

One thing is guarenteed if ACA executes there new low cost business plan they will not fly DAL colors.

Will you guys get off of this already? The vast majority of us at ACA realize this. Thank you.

 

[FlyComAirJets]

This will make for an excellent poll even to those who are sick of polls -- but not yet. The offer has not been extended yet, the deal has been made. We will have to wait for the results of the December 15th "bid awards."

Talk about career roulette. Best of luck ACA folks, you are taking the most courageous action of the decade. You guys rock.

 

[Palerider957]

As stated on another thread, the 30 DO338's are probably a part of the RFP for 45 planes. Could Comair (or any other airline for that matter) absorb 30 planes on short notice??

Where would Comair fly these planes?

To the ACA folks, I hate to seem like we are picking over your company--we really do wish you luck with Independence and in fighting off that fu.ck nut JO.

 

[j41driver]

Where would Comair fly these planes?

Well, you could fly them to DAY, LEX, & SDF 50 times a day like we do.

 

[j41driver]

Best of luck ACA folks, you are taking the most courageous action of the decade.

Thanks.

 

[70Cuda]

j41driver,

Chill out, brother!!! People just like to speculate on their future, it's what we do as humans. So relax a bit and enjoy the journey.

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

Would anyone want the DO328 Jets? Fairchild Dornier has been insolvent and the owner of the 328Jet type certificate is up in the air. I imagine it's a great airplane but when the manufacturer is no longer in business that can get pretty expensive. Who own the type certificate right now on the 328 Jet? Who is supplying parts, etc.? I imagine the 328 Jet is probably pretty expensive to operate. Wasn't that part of the problems with Great Plains airlines' current financial problems? American Airlines is getting rid of their Fokker F-100s in part because of the high cost of maintaining an airplane where the manufacturer no longer exists. I can't see Comair or any other airline aquiring another aircraft type, let alone one where the manufacturer doesn't exist anymore. I'm sure the 328 Jet is a great airplane but I wonder if ACA will be the last in the U.S. to fly them.

 

[Palerider957]

Somebody has to pay for them (probably DAL) then do something with them. It will be a hard sell for another airline to buy them, and I doubt they can just right off the complete cost.

I'll bet one of the DCI carriers will soon be flying them.

 

[46Driver]

Would anyone want the DO328 Jets? Fairchild Dornier has been insolvent and the owner of the 328Jet type certificate is up in the air. I imagine it's a great airplane but when the manufacturer is no longer in business that can get pretty expensive. Who own the type certificate right now on the 328 Jet? Who is supplying parts, etc.? I imagine the 328 Jet is probably pretty expensive to operate. Wasn't that part of the problems with Great Plains airlines' current financial problems? American Airlines is getting rid of their Fokker F-100s in part because of the high cost of maintaining an airplane where the manufacturer no longer exists. I can't see Comair or any other airline aquiring another aircraft type, let alone one where the manufacturer doesn't exist anymore. I'm sure the 328 Jet is a great airplane but I wonder if ACA will be the last in the U.S. to fly them.

This is the reason that ACA is probably doing its best to get Delta to try and drop the DCI contract and thus force Delta to take back the DoJets. We are making little to no profit and do not want to get stuck with the Dorniers. I don't see Chatauqua or SkyWest wanting to take a chance on the aircraft so if Delta has to take them back, the logical assumption is that they will go to either ASA or Comair.

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

If Delta has to take them as part of the contract then I would imagine it would be less costly to just park them or get a 3rd party leasing company to buy them at a loss for Delta. I would be surprised if they were still flying for anyone after ACA goes out on it's own. The same question can be asked for the Jetstreams. ACA's not going to fly them as part of it's LCC so where will they go, out to the desert or to some 3rd party leasing company who will own them (while they sit in the desert).

 

[General Lee]

Delta loves to park planes and take "one time charges" on them. It makes things look really bad, and then they ask employees for money. Then, they bring the planes back and say everything is better. But, I don't think they would do that with the Dojos---that would disrupt service in the CVG hub too much. Let our furloughs fly them---I say.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[metroplex]

rumors are that down the road skyway might!!!!!! be flying those dorniers. they have 10 and operated them somewhat succesfully.
they have they maintance facility and an outstanding training program. who knows , maybe delta will pick them.