Future at Piedmont

[jellynuts]

I'm just looking for some SERIOUS input about the outlook at Piedmont. It's my opinion that they have to do something about the aging fleet. A couple of the guys that I live with in a crash pad seem pretty convinced that we will have an order for new (-300 or -400) airplanes by the end of the year. I want to stay here because they gave me my first airline job, but if we keep shrinking it seems like it may be hard to stick around......

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

I think if SBY was a little more clear in its communiques (or lack of), the turnover rate would be a lot less.

 

[avernas]

Jellynuts-

Have you ever heard the song by Shaq that goes "Do you want me to shoot it? NO! Do you want me to slam it? Yeah!"

That will give you all the answers

 

[fowingman]

Well yea i agree with the aging fleet comment and the stuff will go down the ********************ter if stuff is not done, but lets remember we have leases for another 3 or so years. So where we all are getting our resumes nicely put together, we could all slow down a bit because we for sure (well nothing in avaition is for sure) have flying in the current state of the fleet for another 3 years. as to getting more aircraft, i'm highly optimistic about it, there are some signs if you talk to some of the union guys. Some of the things that are going on seem to point to nov. something coming out to the public about a order. Not to mention a buddy of mine at bombarier (i knew back at college and he works there now) cant confirm since he is not in the department that would have access to that information nor is it just lying around the office in canada, but he gives me the thumbs up when i talk to him about staying or leaving....

 

[jellynuts]

Shaq the retard.... haha

 

[lear24]

I wouldn't make a sideways move right now, if that helps you any. This is the brightest glimmer of a future we've had in the past 5 years. At least right now, it's status quo for the next few years, that's a lot more than we had a few years ago. We were supposed to be close to shut down by next year as of 2003's plan. I think SBY has increased the communication quite a bit in the last few months in response to the overwhelming negative response on communication from management indicated in the survey.

If I were you, I'd stay put for a little while, unless you can make a jump to another carrier that greatly increases your quality of life. If you're going to make a sideways jump for a quick upgrade or to fly a jet, I wouldn't just yet. Upgrade times constantly change, and cute little jets are being reevaluated. Of course, if you can be based where you want to live at with a company you wouldn't mind staying at for a good while and make a decent buck doing it, then you might think about splitting.

 

[FirstMate]

I wouldn't make a sideways move right now, if that helps you any. This is the brightest glimmer of a future we've had in the past 5 years. At least right now, it's status quo for the next few years, that's a lot more than we had a few years ago. We were supposed to be close to shut down by next year as of 2003's plan. I think SBY has increased the communication quite a bit in the last few months in response to the overwhelming negative response on communication from management indicated in the survey.

Agree...BTW, I would encourage everyone to respond to the weekly questions that Farrow publishes. The only way things are going to improve here are if employees provide input. I was impressed with the fact that Farrow goes to the CLT training center to meet with new hires and recurrent classes. This certainly wasn't the case a few years ago when I was hired. This is one of a few small improvements in the communication between this company and its employees that I've noticed.

 

[Sig]

I was impressed with the fact that Farrow goes to the CLT training center to meet with new hires and recurrent classes. This certainly wasn't the case a few years ago when I was hired.

Shoot, he came ALL the way over from his office about 30 feet away to meet my newhire class, back when Houk was in charge.

Did you get Wide-Eyed-Mumbles, the Don'teverdrinkadrop Fairy? THAT dude scared me.

 

[JohnnyP]

.....

Agree...BTW, I would encourage everyone to respond to the weekly questions that Farrow publishes. The only way things are going to improve here are if employees provide input. I was impressed with the fact that Farrow goes to the CLT training center to meet with new hires and recurrent classes. This certainly wasn't the case a few years ago when I was hired. This is one of a few small improvements in the communication between this company and its employees that I've noticed.

behave yourself FirstMate.

 

[jvrac]

I heard a couple of weeks ago that some of the mgmt. in the maintenance department was given orders to go shopping for -300s. Did anyone else hear this rumor?

 

[Cheese Blood]

Pleasant suprise

Its nice to see PDT pilots posting useful replies. I agree with previous posters. We dont have shiny jets or a 2 year upgrade but if you live where you work (excluding LGA) the pay is good and the future with the current gas prices look okay. The mangement attitude seems to be changing too and the chance to 300's or 400's looks pretty good even they are replacements. There is always the carrot for the flow though, if we can unite and push it though before the old CA's get their way and let it pass us by this could really turn out nice for those of us who are sticking it out. Plus the Dash has to be one of the best aircraft to fly, pilot wise, for those who like to use their certs and not just protect them.

peaceout
CB

 

[jellynuts]

I thought that this thread would have turned sour on the first reply....

 

[blzr]

Here's some news, however vague it may be.......


Might be old news or just the same old, don't know I've been out of the loop on things; but I came across an interesting article on the internet.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/business/story.html?id=59b562ec-9a9c-4dca-8d95-f6ad15d615d4

Planemaker in turbo talks

U.S. Airways seeks to replace DASH-8s



Mainline carrier U.S. Airways is negotiating with Bombardier Inc. to replace more than 80 smaller older-generation DASH-8 turboprop airliners flown by commuter affiliate Piedmont Airlines with the new Q-300 and Q-400 turboprops carrying up to 70 passengers. Piedmont services the Eastern U.S. and the latest Bombardier turboprops, built at Downsview, Toronto, are quieter and faster besides carrying more passengers

 

[NuGuy]

We dont have shiny jets or a 2 year upgrade but if you live where you work (excluding LGA) the pay is good and the future with the current gas prices look okay. The mangement attitude seems to be changing too and the chance to 300's or 400's looks pretty good even they are replacements. There is always the carrot for the flow though, if we can unite and push it though before the old CA's get their way and let it pass us by this could really turn out nice for those of us who are sticking it out. Plus the Dash has to be one of the best aircraft to fly, pilot wise, for those who like to use their certs and not just protect them.

Hahahaha, this same exact message content could have been found on the old Compuseve board 10 years ago! Let us review sample news from 1996:

DHC-8-400s promised: Check
RJs promised: Check
Flowthrough promised: Check
Management holding a carrot to the pilot group: Check
Other regionals 'stealing' flying: Check

Facts from today:

Flow through? Nope
RJs? Nope
Flowthrough? Nope
Management holding a carrot? Yup
Other regionals 'stealing' flying? Very yup (lessee: no TPA base, no JAX base, no ORF/PHF base, no LYH base)

Plus as a bonus: merger with an airline and GET smaller.

Nothing has ever happened at PDT since it was called PDT, and never will. The last growth was when the old man ran it.

Nu

 

[Sig]

Jeez- that's interesting.

Where'd the 80 come from?

 

[doug_or]

Jeez- that's interesting.

Where'd the 80 come from?

maybe they're replaceing the aircraft already shrunk. Q400s for everyone! double digit growth! Increased payrates for the 400! 2 1/2 year upgrades!



Koolaid and vodka.... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[ThrottleJockey1]

was it PDT flying or Mesa?

I see a certain 1900 operator is flying in SC and maybe even out of BOS in the near future.

 

[buyagoat]

i heard from some mainline airways captians that airways is going to dump measa, as much as possible, and get piedmont in thier place. ie mci, and pit to start, then eventually out west vegas, and phx. Also I was saw another dhc 400 in sby, last week, and they also had a 400 out in phx too. Good things are coming, just hold out.

 

[Quack]

i'll believe it when I am sitting in it...until then, drink up, be merry, show charlie murphy your titties...i'm rick james bitch...

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

Also I was saw another dhc 400 in sby

You actually saw one at the airport?

 

[Sig]

You actually saw one at the airport?

Years ago.

 

[OPECJet]

They were probably "borrowing" parts from it.....

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

Yea, they were probably putting together a PDT -400...

A -100 w/ -300 engines, maybe?

 

[se1776]

I worked at Allegheny now pidmont, they been saying the same thing about the Q400 for ever,don't believe them until you see it

 

[JohnnyP]

....

i wonder if they ever noticed i didnt show up for CQ. some poor guy probably had to fly with a managment type.

 

[Booker]

A -100 w/ -300 engines, maybe?

When I was a new-hire, the pigeon teaching systems told us that was the idea behind the 200: a beefed-up 100 airframe with the 300's 123 motors. Anyone know if this is true? Seems odd they'd build a "300" before a "200," BWTFDIK?

 

[hdpilot1]

Yep, it is true, dehavilland built the 300's before the 200's. I thinks they finally realized how much of a sky rocket the 100 was so they thought they would beef it up even a little more with the PW 123C.

 

[WSurf]

US Airways Signs For 40 Bombardier Q400 Airliners
Toronto, September 18, 2006
Contract converts Fourty existing CRJ900 orders

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Tempe, Arizona-based US Airways has signed a contract to acquire 40 Q400 turboprop airliners. The transaction includes the conversion to Q400 aircraft of Fourty firm orders currently held by US Airways for the CRJ900 regional jet, plus five incremental orders for the Q400 turboprop.

The revised contract is valued at approximately $900 million US at list price. Deliveries of the Q400 aircraft from this order are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2007.

US Airways subsidary Piedmont currently operates 55 100/200/300 series aircraft.

"More and more, airlines are recognizing the unique qualities of the Q400 turboprop," said Steven Ridolfi, President, Bombardier Regional Aircraft. "No other regional aircraft can offer its combination of jet-like speed, passenger comfort and fuel economy. The Q400 aircraft is in a class of its own."

The firm order book for the Q400 airliner now stands at 163 aircraft. As of September 30, 2005 104 Q400 aircraft had been delivered to 12 operators in North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2005, were $15.8 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.

Q400 and CRJ900 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.


For information
Bert Cruickshank
Bombardier Aerospace
(416) 375-3030

www.bombardier.com


God, I was bored!!!! It just looked like a dream!!!!! Sorry to work you folks up!!!! ;-D
I can only bet people are running around already thinking this is true!!!

 

[hdpilot1]

Surf, you must have just woke up from a wet dream. Check your shorts for any dry crusties.

 

[WSurf]

Surf, you must have just woke up from a wet dream. Check your shorts for any dry crusties.

LOL!!!!!!