No Q400's for PDT?

[twighead]

Here is a copy and paste from PDT's Alpa newsletter concerning the future for obtaining Q400's:

1. A number of pilots have contacted the PDT MEC with regards to USAirways president Scott Kirby's statement that Piedmont was being scoped out of the Dash-8 Q400 aircraft. The AAA MEC has been contacted and asked to provide any language that would support this concept. Look for an update on this issue very soon.

I understand this is not definite, but does any good news ever come out of this place? It gets harder and harder to be optmistic. At least we used to have hope. Even I am seriously considering leaving despite living in base and having 14-15 days off w/ almost no overnights.

Looks like Colgan is getting an upgrade in equipment, as well as Commutair and just about everyone else. Is it possible that we now have the worst fleet of airplanes in the regional industry? I particulary enjoyed my APU inop (10 F at 5 am), over-the-wing fueling gem I had this morning.

/rant off.

 

[Kaman]

Were you in CHO?

 

[flypixs]

Piedmont Q 400's

And if you think that we are going south? Well, Colgan is moving forward. This was posted on the UsAirways website on 02/05/2007. Listed under the UsDaily:

CO CHOOSES COLGAN AIR TO FLY REGIONAL ROUTES
Continental Airlines Inc. has selected a new regional airline partner to operate as Continental Connection from the airline's New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. Colgan Air Inc., a subsidiary of Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines Corp., will operate 74-seat Bombardier Aerospace Q400 twin-turboprop aircraft on short and medium-distance routes from Liberty starting in early 2008. News of the deal sent Pinnacle shares soaring briefly to a new 52-week high of $18.49 early Monday before settling back to around $18.15 by mid-morning, up 40 cents from the Feb. 2 close.
Source: bizjournals.com, Feb. 5, 2007

I would say turn on the light, otherwise the future looks pretty dark.

Keep smiling everyone

 

[I_Love_Lamp]

Here is a copy and paste from PDT's Alpa newsletter concerning the future for obtaining Q400's:

1. A number of pilots have contacted the PDT MEC with regards to USAirways president Scott Kirby's statement that Piedmont was being scoped out of the Dash-8 Q400 aircraft. The AAA MEC has been contacted and asked to provide any language that would support this concept. Look for an update on this issue very soon.

I understand this is not definite, but does any good news ever come out of this place? It gets harder and harder to be optmistic. At least we used to have hope. Even I am seriously considering leaving despite living in base and having 14-15 days off w/ almost no overnights.

Looks like Colgan is getting an upgrade in equipment, as well as Commutair and just about everyone else. Is it possible that we now have the worst fleet of airplanes in the regional industry? I particulary enjoyed my APU inop (10 F at 5 am), over-the-wing fueling gem I had this morning.

/rant off.

Yikes. That sucks.

A kool-aid meeting with US Air prez SK happened in CLT a week and a half or so. In the Q&A session, good ol' PDT instructor AP asked, "Delta? Turboprops? Future? Piedmont? Q400s?"

Confused, SK asked for clarification. "Will there be any growth for the turboprop sector if US acquires DAL?"

"Turboprops aren't going anywhere, but we will not be getting Q400s any time in the near future."

From the horses mouth, of course this was before the withdrawn DAL offer.

 

[WSurf]

Here is a copy and paste from PDT's Alpa newsletter concerning the future for obtaining Q400's:

1. A number of pilots have contacted the PDT MEC with regards to USAirways president Scott Kirby's statement that Piedmont was being scoped out of the Dash-8 Q400 aircraft. The AAA MEC has been contacted and asked to provide any language that would support this concept. Look for an update on this issue very soon.

I understand this is not definite, but does any good news ever come out of this place? It gets harder and harder to be optmistic. At least we used to have hope. Even I am seriously considering leaving despite living in base and having 14-15 days off w/ almost no overnights.

Looks like Colgan is getting an upgrade in equipment, as well as Commutair and just about everyone else. Is it possible that we now have the worst fleet of airplanes in the regional industry? I particulary enjoyed my APU inop (10 F at 5 am), over-the-wing fueling gem I had this morning.

/rant off.

Don't worry!! Ask the Horizon folks, that APU on the Q400 is a the same piece of crap we have!! HeRE comes another summer of sweating your balls off!!!

 

[check6]

Don't worry!! Ask the Horizon folks, that APU on the Q400 is a the same piece of crap we have!! He comes another summer of sweating your balls off!!!

I can vouch for that. . .the Q400 APU is definetly not as bulletproof as a jet. We actually don't use it all that much except for airports with rampers that cannot mentally or physically motivate themselves to hook up a GPU, sort of like Philly.

 

[ponder]

A) If Pinnacle buys new aircraft, Pinnacle pays for them.
B) If Piedmont buys new aircraft, USAirways pays for them.
It's that simple.

 

[NCFlyer]

A) If Pinnacle buys new aircraft, Pinnacle pays for them.
B) If Piedmont buys new aircraft, USAirways pays for them.
It's that simple.

If Pinnacle makes a dollar, Pinnacle keeps a dollor.

If Piedmont makes a dollar, USAirways takes the dollar!

 

[LowlyPropCapt]

Scope is a funny thing. I would look for mainline to grant relief for the airplanes if U management wants them, but with some conditions. Expect a J4J type arrangement for the big props.

 

[CA1900]

Looks like Colgan is getting an upgrade in equipment, as well as Commutair and just about everyone else. Is it possible that we now have the worst fleet of airplanes in the regional industry? I particulary enjoyed my APU inop (10 F at 5 am)...

Don't worry about CommutAir -- they pre-emptively took care of the APU problem by not getting them with APUs!

 

[rfa]

Whats an APU?

 

[CA1900]

Whats an APU?

One of these.

 

[IrishjbPilot]

hahaha funny

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

Even I am seriously considering leaving despite living in base and having 14-15 days off w/ almost no overnights.

Yea, it didn't take too long for me to figure out the same thing. It was great though, while it lasted. I really liked it at PDT. Good luck, guys.

 

[I_Love_Lamp]

Yea, it didn't take too long for me to figure out the same thing. It was great though, while it lasted. I really liked it at PDT. Good luck, guys.

That's the resounding sentiment here.

Great people...
Hell of an airplane (when its working)
No growth/upgrade, get the heck out.

"Oh, you got a class date at PDT? When's your Republic class date?" is the new question de rigueur.

 

[theskyking]

I feel for you guys. I was part of the dysfunctional USAir family for a while then jumped ship for another regional. Had some good friends at PDT.

I'm out of the regional/airline side of the game all together now. Those of you looking for a direction to go, go take a look at the fractional forum. I'm at NetJets now and love it. Great quality of life, great equipment, and a strong union to support the pilot group.

Good luck. PM me if you want to chat about NJA at all.

By the way, lots of guys here with pure turboprop time. Jet time not needed. You do need your ATP though.