More 700s on the way for ASA & Skywest

[EatinRamen]

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_3606790

SkyWest ready to spread wings with bigger jets
Delta Connection: The aircraft hold 70 passengers, and bigger planes might be next
By Paul Beebe
The Salt Lake Tribune

SkyWest Airlines has started a slow upgrade of its Delta Connection fleet to larger aircraft with the acquisition of three 70-passenger regional jetliners earlier this month. It also expects to take delivery of two more jetliners in April.
Earlier this month, the St. George-based carrier added a trio of Bombardier CRJ-700 jetliners that will be stationed at Salt Lake City International Airport, beginning April 1. SkyWest will operate the jets under its marketing agreement with Delta Air Lines.
Another two CRJ-700s will join the SkyWest fleet next month and go into service in May, Chairman Jerry Atkin said Wednesday.
"Right now, there will be five that will be operated by SkyWest under the Delta Connection banner. Beyond those five, it's a bit uncertain. We do have 17 additional 700s on order for Delta, and some will go to Atlanta [to be operated by its Atlantic Southeast Airlines subsidiary] and some [probably] will go to Salt Lake," Atkin said.
ASA and SkyWest are subsidiaries of SkyWest Inc., which has close to 90 CRJ-700 jetliners. Until now, only ASA flew CRJ-700s for Delta, while SkyWest flew them for United Airlines under the United Express banner.
Atkin said even bigger aircraft may be in the works for its Delta Connection service. Delta is negotiating with its pilots for permission to hire regional airlines like SkyWest and ASA to fly jets with more than 70 passengers. If the pilots agree, SkyWest could acquire 90-seat aircraft.
SkyWest is moving to larger jets because there is a need for them in some of its markets. And the cost of flying larger aircraft is cheaper, Atkin said.

 

[180ToTheMarker]

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_3606790
SkyWest is moving to larger jets because there is a need for them in some of its markets. And the cost of flying larger aircraft is cheaper, Atkin said.

How about some -88s then? Oh yea I forgot, they're not shiny.

 

[EatinRamen]

Yeah, my opinion... no more 70 seaters and definetely no 90 seaters! I want to eventually move up to a major. I don't want regionals taking away main line flying anymore than they already have.

 

[180ToTheMarker]

Yeah, my opinion... no more 70 seaters and definetely no 90 seaters! I want to eventually move up to a major. I don't want regionals taking away main line flying anymore than they already have.

For someone with 1,000 TT who is obviously an FO, you seem to have the big picture. Thats rare these days. Hope you make it to a major someday.

 

[General Lee]

"If the pilots agree, SkyWest could acquire 90-seat aircraft.
SkyWest is moving to larger jets because there is a need for them in some of its markets."


I bet we won't agree to that. More than 51% will easily vote NO on any TA that includes larger RJs at DCI. That would be suicide, and we don't have the need to save the pension (like NW did) since we already know it is gone.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[pipers]

For someone with 1,000 TT who is obviously an FO, you seem to have the big picture. Thats rare these days. Hope you make it to a major someday.

I agree with the man.......maybe he does have the big picture. As a SKYW pilot, I would rather see United and Delta get any additional flying in 100 or 90 seat aircraft then SkyWest (did i just say that.....Blasphemy!!) But its true....I want to move on someday as well (and I don't want to futher upset the General)

 

[tuna pimp]

"If the pilots agree, SkyWest could acquire 90-seat aircraft.
SkyWest is moving to larger jets because there is a need for them in some of its markets."


I bet we won't agree to that. More than 51% will easily vote NO on any TA that includes larger RJs at DCI.


Bye Bye--General Lee

If DL offered 90 seaters to it's pilots at rates comperable to what is currently being paid today for that type of flying (CR9/E190 at Mesa & Chatauqua) would the DL pilot group bite on it? Assume it also meant recalling all the furloughed DL pilots, plus new hiring, plus a large amount of upgrade possiblilites for the existing FOs?

Or would they turn it down? Just curious...

 

[pipers]

"If the pilots agree, SkyWest could acquire 90-seat aircraft.
SkyWest is moving to larger jets because there is a need for them in some of its markets."


I bet we won't agree to that. More than 51% will easily vote NO on any TA that includes larger RJs at DCI.


Bye Bye--General Lee

I hope you don't agree. Good luck.

 

[General Lee]

Our Union position is to give more 70 seaters, but nothing larger. That may be a tough TA vote in itself.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[ReportCanoa]

I hope to see SkyWest operating CRJ-705's with 75 seats in a two-class configuration. It only makes sense, and what's another five seats to get a nice product into the RJ markets? Delta won't be buying planes for mainline if it isn't approved anyway, so what do you have to lose? Five seats?

 

[General Lee]

If DL offered 90 seaters to it's pilots at rates comperable to what is currently being paid today for that type of flying (CR9/E190 at Mesa & Chatauqua) would the DL pilot group bite on it? Assume it also meant recalling all the furloughed DL pilots, plus new hiring, plus a large amount of upgrade possiblilites for the existing FOs?

Or would they turn it down? Just curious...

We would jump on it. It is better to get the aircraft now and be able to get higher wages during the next round, rather than lose the aircraft forever, like the 70 seaters.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

I hope to see SkyWest operating CRJ-705's with 75 seats in a two-class configuration. It only makes sense, and what's another five seats to get a nice product into the RJ markets? Delta won't be buying planes for mainline if it isn't approved anyway, so what do you have to lose? Five seats?

How about we allow SkyWest to buy 75 seat ultra luxurious 757s to fly their management cronies around (after the bonuses) and start transcon service with them? Hey, they only have 75 seats, and maybe there is a market for ultra luxurious Delta Connection 757s..... Can you see my point? Once you go over a line, you can't go back. I would vote a big NO. I bet more than 51% easily will vote that down too.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[79%N1]

"Our Union position is to give more 70 seaters, but nothing larger. That may be a tough TA vote in itself."

Can you please ust say Generall Lee's position is to vote to allow more 70 seaters, but nothing larger......and quit trying to speak for the entire union. Last I checked, you are NOT the Union spokesman! You do not speak for the whole union, nor do you have any earthly idea how they would all vote!

 

[General Lee]

I hope to see SkyWest operating CRJ-705's with 75 seats in a two-class configuration. It only makes sense, and what's another five seats to get a nice product into the RJ markets? Delta won't be buying planes for mainline if it isn't approved anyway, so what do you have to lose? Five seats?

And, doesn't SkyWest fly two class (or maybe 3 class--First, econ Plus, Coach) for UAL with their 70 seaters? I think they are actually 66 seats. They can do that too with any new 70 seaters......They don't need larger planes to have more than one class.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[79%N1]

We would jump on it. It is better to get the aircraft now and be able to get higher wages during the next round, rather than lose the aircraft forever, like the 70 seaters.


Bye Bye--General Lee

You would jump on it Gen. You don't know what 6,000+ others will do, because you havent asked them all, or even 1/10th of them. Quit talking like you do. You would have a lot more credibility if you just said 'this is how I feel, or what I think' and stop acting like the mouthpiece for all of Delta Airlines all the time! It is so tiresome!

 

[General Lee]

"Our Union position is to give more 70 seaters, but nothing larger. That may be a tough TA vote in itself."

Can you please ust say Generall Lee's position is to vote to allow more 70 seaters, but nothing larger......and quit trying to speak for the entire union. Last I checked, you are NOT the Union spokesman! You do not speak for the whole union, nor do you have any earthly idea how they would all vote!

I am now in the top half of the pilot group (barely) and I would vote NO. Would anyone junior to me try to vote themselves out of a job? Would they? No way. That is why I say atleast 51% would vote it down, and I bet atleast half of the Captains would vote NO too. Come on 79%n1, use your head. No more pensions to save, either. That was the wild card at NW.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[COOPERVANE]

Regional pilots need to stop drooling at the prospect of flying larger A/C. We should wish for MAINLINE

 

[COOPERVANE]

Regional pilots need to stop drooling at the prospect of flying larger A/C. We should wish for MAINLINE to grow.

No more growth promises for quick upgrade

 

[ReportCanoa]

Regional pilots need to stop drooling at the prospect of flying larger A/C. We should wish for MAINLINE to grow.

No more growth promises for quick upgrade

The reality is that only a minority of RJ pilots will make it to the majors. That's just the way it is. I don't think commuter pilots want anything but a larger paycheck. That doesn't necessarily come with larger airplanes as we all know. Last I heard, was that if you're timing was a little off, and you've been a five year FO at a regional- well- too bad. A few more airplanes at mainline will not help an RJ FO from upgrading in the short term. I think you're right about the growth part, but I'm sorry, if those airplanes are going to be sent to mainline, they need to cut a deal for properly qualified regional Captains getting into the right seat at mainline. (after furloughs are taken care of)

 

[CFIT]

We would jump on it. It is better to get the aircraft now and be able to get higher wages during the next round, rather than lose the aircraft forever, like the 70 seaters.


Bye Bye--General Lee

And the cycle continues.

I think the equipment is going to be an asset in the marketplace and Delta managment know it. They know the price point it needs to operate at to make it a profitable level of service. And don't think just the hourly rate, it's also work rules, trip-duty rig etc. 90/hr at the regionals is a lot cheaper than 90/hr at mainline. So DALPA comes in and says they will operate it at cut rate points to get it on their bill and then rape them later with it down the road when times are good?

Obviously pilot costs are not the sole source of problems, but this rational is not going to help. This is what got Delta in this position in the first place.