JetBlue, LGB and 50-seat RJs

[vc10]

In another thread (now overrun with the usual backbiting comments) someone asked:

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I met a jetBlue higher up today who told me that jetBlue is going to be getting 50 seat RJs. I thought he might be confusing terms with the Embraer 190, but he said no, jetBlue is getting 50 seat jets to enable them to use LGB's commuter slots. He said one seat would be removed to bring it under the restriction.

True story or bogus?

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Here's a very good reason it's bogus (apart from all the other very good reasons). If you want to run RJs into LGB, you'd do it with 70-seat RJs, not 50s. LGB defines a commuter operation as one done by an airplane of under 75,000 lbs MGTOW. A CRJ700 fits under that limit (but an EMB-170 does not, is my understanding). In fact, in 2003 I believe Horizon ran CRJ700 flights into LGB using commuter slots. So if you were going to fly flights into LGB using "commuter" slots, you'd use CRJ700s because they have better economics than the RJ50s.

 

[holdon]

In another thread (now overrun with the usual backbiting comments) someone asked:

********

I met a jetBlue higher up today who told me that jetBlue is going to be getting 50 seat RJs. I thought he might be confusing terms with the Embraer 190, but he said no, jetBlue is getting 50 seat jets to enable them to use LGB's commuter slots. He said one seat would be removed to bring it under the restriction.

True story or bogus?

********

Here's a very good reason it's bogus (apart from all the other very good reasons). If you want to run RJs into LGB, you'd do it with 70-seat RJs, not 50s. LGB defines a commuter operation as one done by an airplane of under 75,000 lbs MGTOW. A CRJ700 fits under that limit (but an EMB-170 does not, is my understanding). In fact, in 2003 I believe Horizon ran CRJ700 flights into LGB using commuter slots. So if you were going to fly flights into LGB using "commuter" slots, you'd use CRJ700s because they have better economics than the RJ50s.

And where do you propose you would put these A/C while on the ground? For gosh sakes, there using a runway now that is closed to park spare aircraft. Bogus. Now do I think the 190 might operate out of LBG someday? yes, what a great airplane to run LGB-OAK with a ton of frequency or maybe BUR-PDX or SEA.

 

[Munga]

How junior is the LGB base?

 

[91100 100 set]

Better question is which regional is gonna it for 'em?

 

[Smoking Man]

Bogus.

 

[jetblue320]

How junior is the LGB base?

I am not based there but know that it is pretty senior. At last count, they have 51 pilot crews. And, there is not a lot of movement. The exception being that if an FO upgrades, chances are good that he won't be able to hold LGB as a Captain and end up in JFK. The senior Captain there (LGB) is #3 and the junior Captain is #461. The junior-most Captain holding a line is #313.

Of course, strange things do happen and I would imagine it is possible for a new hire to get LGB out of initial, but not likely. Also, when the E190 comes on line late this summer it will cause movement in the system. How much movement, well, who knows?

Hope that helped.

C yaaaa

 

[psysicx]

Are most going to staying at Jetblue for 20 yrs or is it to early to tell?

 

[wndshr]

Are most going to staying at Jetblue for 20 yrs or is it to early to tell?

probably too early to tell...but given current industry conditions and the fact that a HUGE portion of our seniority list is furloughed major pilots who have bypassed or plan to bypass recall...i would say that today most are planning on staying.

after all, lets get a show of hands from those folks who would have liked to be a SWA pilot when they had only 70 a/c????

 

[B6Driver]

"Are most going to staying at Jetblue for 20 yrs or is it to early to tell?"

Its the best place in the industry right now and maybe for some time to come. We'll see.