It's Official - Air Wis Getting Replaced

[storminpilot]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050404/cgm028.html?.v=5

Press ReleaseSource: United Airlines


United Reaches Deals With SkyWest Airlines, GoJet Airlines to Provide United Express Service

Monday April 4, 7:00 am ET - Enhanced Service to Be Provided With CRJ-700 Aircraft

CHICAGO, April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines announced today that it has reached agreements with United Express carrier SkyWest Airlines and GoJet Airlines, a subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, to provide approximately 30 aircraft that will operate under the United Express name by the first quarter of 2006.

"We are pleased to introduce a superior product, offering a first-class cabin, as well as Economy Plus seating on the CRJ-700s these two carriers will operate," says Sean Donohue, United's vice president for United Express and Ted. "Customer feedback on the aircraft has been very positive, and our passengers will appreciate the additional seat comfort, headroom and aisle space the aircraft provide."

The agreements announced today are a result of the request for proposal that United announced last November. Of these 30 aircraft, SkyWest will operate 20 and GoJet will operate ten 70-seat Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft under the United Express brand. The first aircraft, operated by GoJet, will begin flying in August on routes to be announced at a later date.

These 30 aircraft will fly on some routes previously operated for United by Air Wisconsin Airlines. As the company indicated in an announcement to employees late last month, United also is considering reductions in the United Express fleet to further reduce spending on U.S. domestic capacity, given high fuel prices and the current fare levels.

About United

United Airlines (OTC Bulletin Board: UALAQ - News) is the world's second largest airline, operating more than 3,400 flights a day on United, United Express and Ted to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is the largest international carrier based in the United States.** United is also a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to more than 700 destinations in more than 130 countries worldwide. United's 61,200 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at http://united.com .

Worldwide Communications:

Media Relations Office: 847.700.5538

Evenings/Weekends: 847.700.4088

 

[SlapShot]

Does the CRJ-700 have have the ability to get in and out of Apsen or Vail on 1 engine? I thought only the BAC Jet could do that.

Also, how many BAC Jets does Air Wisky have?

 

[flyer172r]

Yeah, about that whole GoJets thing...how do you reach an agreement with an airline that does have any airplanes or pilots yet?

 

[CapnVegetto]

The only other carrier that goes into ASE for UA is Mesa in the DHC-8. I believe that you're right, the only RJ that will do it is the Bachasaurus. I wonder what's going to happen with this?

 

[storminpilot]

Wont the CRJ700LR get into Aspen and Vail?

Does the CRJ-700 have have the ability to get in and out of Apsen or Vail on 1 engine? I thought only the BAC Jet could do that.

http://www.bombardier.com/index.jsp?id=3_0&lang=en&file=/en/3_0/pressrelease.jsp%3Fgroup%3D3_0%26lan%3Den%26action%3Dview%26mode%3Dlist%26year%3Dnull%26id%3D2765%26sCateg%3D3_0


Bombardier adds CRJ700 Long Range Model
Toronto, March 07, 2005

Bombardier adds value to its CRJ family of aircraft.

Bombardier Aerospace today announced a new Long Range (LR) model of the 70- to 78-seat Bombardier CRJ700 airliner.

The CRJ700 LR aircraft will have a range of 2,516 miles (4,048 km), an increase of about 276 miles (444 km) over the CRJ700 ER (extended range) model.

The extended range is made possible by increasing the aircraft's maximum take-off weight, allowing it to carry more fuel. In addition to the increase in the maximum take-off weight, the LR model will also provide an increase in the maximum payload and maximum landing weights. These weight increases will allow the airlines greater flexibility in the operation of the CRJ700 LR jetliner.

"The CRJ700 LR aircraft will allow operators to carry greater payloads over greater distances and increase their ability to generate more revenue," said Rod Williams, vice-president, Aircraft Programs, Bombardier Regional Aircraft.

The Bombardier CRJ700 LR aircraft, which will be available in the first quarter of 2006, will be powered by General Electric CF34-8C5B1 engines. Existing CRJ700 aircraft can readily be retrofitted to the new CRJ700 LR aircraft standards.

"The CRJ700 LR jetliner together with the recently announced engine upgrade for the CRJ700 aircraft, the upgraded performance CRJ900 aircraft and the new CRJ900 LR airliner show that the Bombardier CRJ Series is constantly evolving to meet customer expectations," said Mr. Williams. "We are expanding operating and revenue-generating capability and lowering operating costs."

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, 2004 were $15.5 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto and Frankfurt stock exchanges (BBD and BBDd.F). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com

Note to Editors
An image will be available on our Web site photo gallery at: www.aero.bombardier.com/htmen/F15.jsp

Bombardier, CRJ Series, CRJ700 and CRJ900 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

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

www.bombardier.com

 

[ILLINI]

I don't believe it's the single engine performance that is prohibitive for Aspen. From what I understand it's speed, and too much of it, that is the problem. The 146 is the only regional jet that is able to get slow enough to operate out of there.

 

[HowlinMadMurdoc]

I don't believe it's the single engine performance that is prohibitive for Aspen. From what I understand it's speed, and too much of it, that is the problem. The 146 is the only regional jet that is able to get slow enough to operate out of there.

What about the DorkJet??? We go slow, even in cruise!

HMM

 

[Dodge]

What's the approach speed at the highest landing weight of the CRJ? 160??? The 146's do 120-130 depending on weight.

 

[twgordy]

Sooooo....what does this mean for Air Wisconsin?????????

 

[ILLINI]

To be a little more specific, the magic limiting factor for Aspen is airspeed in the balked landing. The aircraft must be able to perform a balked landing procedure at no more than 130kts at max landing weight.

At least that is what i've heard from my company.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

Sooooo....what does this mean for Air Wisconsin?????????

Great question. All company will say is that they are still in talks with United. Well, we've seen how well that has worked out so far.

 

[CapnVegetto]

I know that the problem isn't getting in to ASE. The CRJ 700 approach speeds are a good 20 knots slower on average than the CRJ 200 b/c of the slats. Getting in isn't a problem. Getting out, however, is. At that altitude, if you pop an engine at V1, you'll never make your required climb gradient, ESPECIALLLY not in a 200. The Bachasaurus, with those 4 helicopter engines, is able to make the required climb gradient after losing an engine.

 

[Sinca3]

What's the approach speed at the highest landing weight of the CRJ? 160??? The 146's do 120-130 depending on weight.

Well the 50 seater approach speeds are:

Vref 142 (add the wind factor and it is 147kts or 152kts depending on gusts)
V2 150kts
Vt 177kts
These are higher than the 70 seater speed which has slats.

 

[Rick James]

As a Skywest pilot I would rather no growth than this mess. You AirWis guys are a class act, and don't deserve this from UAL. I truly hope that no one loses their job over this. I guess some planes need to get a new paint scheme soon.

 

[climb2slow]

Glad to see Mesa not included in this announcement. Oh Wait!! There are still 40 more jet of AWAC's to give away. CRAP.

 

[jtf]

Actually I believe there are over 40 more that could be given away- I think there are 70 CRJs at Air Wisconsin, not including the 146s. There has still been no official dumping of Air Wisconsin, but I do think it will be a gradual dumping if United gets what they want- enough time to replace the service with however long GoJets and Skywest take to get the 700s into service. I would also bet on a bunch more 70 seaters beyond the latest 30 in the anouncement. I think GoJets has options for 30 or 40 and I doubt GoJets would even be planned if they thought they would only get 10 airplanes out of the deal. I've heard that United wants to get rid of as many 50 seat aircraft as possible and go with 70 seaters and above. Dumping Air Wisconsin slowly as they come on line looks to be the plan for now. If the 146 is the only airplane that can do Aspen, then maybe that part of Air Wisconsin will stay in the United system. What a truly ugly business we are all a part of.

 

[DiverDriver]

As a Skywest pilot I would rather no growth than this mess. You AirWis guys are a class act, and don't deserve this from UAL. I truly hope that no one loses their job over this. I guess some planes need to get a new paint scheme soon.

Well, no matter what we deserve for being loyal for 30+ years (I've only been part of it over 5) the fact is United will do whatever it wants, when it wants. Everyone should remember that. Pilots should be educated far and wide about what they are doing to themselves if they go to work for an outfit that pays less than the company being replaced. Do you really think you will be able to negotiate better rates after you get your "foot in the door"? Isn't going to happen now because someone will come along and underbid you too.

Not slamming any pilot group. But we all should be aware of the consequences to our actions. We tried very hard to keep our rates up so that we weren't taking mainline flying. Our contract was signed on 9/11 in fact. But we were knee capped later and the whole bid, rebid, re-re-rebid process started. It's what we live with and I'm not going to be bitter. Anyone shows up for a jumpseat on my plane is gonna get if we have an agreement. That's the way professionals do it even if we don't get treated the same in return.

And yes, I hope we get our new USAir paint jobs soon too. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that will come at the expense of another express carrier who currently flys for U. Doesn't seem they can expand their system right now so it'll have to be a shuffle all around.

Well, that's how I see it now.

 

[drag]

Funny, many RJ pilots didn't mind replacing mainline flying. Most were against scope. Too bad scope failed (for the most part). Now RJ pilots are being replaced with other RJ pilots. Oh well, I guess what goes around comes around. Go Gojet!!!

 

[jparks]

So does this mean that Air Whiskey is gone?

 

[jparks]

Are they going to US Air?

 

[crashpad]

Maybe the girl pilots at ZW can relate to what's happening:
You know when you meet a really nice guy at the bar and you go home with him. During sex, he tells you how beautiful you are and how special the night has been. After that, you never hear from him again because that's what happens when you give it away.
Same thing at ZW.

 

[Rogue5]

Pilots should be educated far and wide about what they are doing to themselves if they go to work for an outfit that pays less than the company being replaced. Do you really think you will be able to negotiate better rates after you get your "foot in the door"? Isn't going to happen now because someone will come along and underbid you too.

Isn't AWAC paying $125 mil. for the right to feed USAir mainline? Dontcha think the U wholly owned's might be a little peeved at this little fact? Thats just how far "loyalty" does get you in this industry: your own parent company sells you out for independant feed.

This little game of musical chairs is crap for everyone, but I don't think too many of the AirWis guys can cry foul when they (and by this I in no way mean the crews, all this is management's doing) are paying mainline to take over another carrier's flying.

Again, no disrespect to AirWis pilots: were are all stranded on this leaking liferaft...

 

[cargojunkie]

what?

 

[Mongolikecandy]

Isn't AWAC paying $125 mil. for the right to feed USAir mainline? Dontcha think the U wholly owned's might be a little peeved at this little fact? Thats just how far "loyalty" does get you in this industry: your own parent company sells you out for independant feed

No disrespect taken. But don't be ignorant. AWAC is not paying $125 million for the right to provide feed. AWAC has purchased a $125 million share in Airways when it exits bankruptcy. The advantage to that is we have the right to place our jets in the Airways system. Your post made it sound like the only thing we would get out of it is a new code share. That is one thing that comes from it. The other that comes from it is a roughly 25% stake in another airline. Think of it as diversifying your portfolio. Now as to the stability of this diversification.... well, we can pray.

 

[bvt1151]

What's the approach speed at the highest landing weight of the CRJ? 160??? The 146's do 120-130 depending on weight.

The CRJ-700's Vref ranges from 125-135 depending on weight. It will never be over 135 unless you are overweight, in which case you won't be landing in Aspen anyways. I'd say the CRJ-700 may be weight restricted, but if any other aircraft besides the 146 and dash-8 can do it, its the CR7.

 

[SneakyJake]

United could care less who flys their pax. They want the cheapest deal they can get regardless of the situation. It's tough on the commuter pilots because the jobs are constantly being passed from company to company.

 

[Dave Benjamin]

The title of this thread insinuates Air Whisky is being replaced. Is it possible that this is simply additional mainline flying being transferred to UAX and not Air Wis being replaced? I'd prefer to see our Air Wis folks keeping their jobs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this anouncement is for additional UAX flying not Air Wis being replaced.

 

[crashpad]

AWAC has purchased a $125 million share in Airways when it exits bankruptcy. The advantage to that is we have the right to place our jets in the Airways system. .

USAir is liquadates by summers end, now what happens to Wisco?

 

[Palmtree Pilot]

GoJets info:

Well, here ya go ladies and gents: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GoJet

For all of you hopefuls or anybody that would like to monitor the race to the bottom. It should be entertaining or resourceful, depending on which side of the fence your on.

PtP

 

[rptrain]

Anyone shows up for a jumpseat on my plane is gonna get if we have an agreement. That's the way professionals do it even if we don't get treated the same in return.

someone buy that man a beer. a true professional, unlike some of the other children on this board.