Question for CHQ People

[Jeep4X4]

Just wondering how many more 170's are being delivered this year? Also, i've searched for other threads, but can't find out - is there going to be a 170 DEN base? Company website mentions nothing, but airlinepilotpay or whatever it changed to lists it - any information is greatly appreciated

 

[OldManPilot]

There is little to no news regarding new bases. The general feeling now is that we currently have to many bases to begin with! But who knows what the future will bring. I certainly have given up trying to predict.

I am unsure the number of E170's yet to be delivered, but I understand it is a significate number.

Right now we are anxiously awaiting some kind of agreement regarding the CHQ - Shuttle America purchase/acquisition or whatever they are calling it.

Not to speak out of turn, but we would like to see a fair seniority integration between SA list and CHQ. Currently we have yet to recieve any info regarding what or how seniority will be merged, or how the E170's and E170 pilots will be added under the SA certificate. One major concern is the ability for E170 pilots to not be forced to fly on the SA certificate alone, allowing no movement from SA to any of our other E170 certificates, ie Republic Airlines (when certificated). So for now it is just a wait and see time.

Hope this helps provide info to you.

Keep the faith!

 

[Jeep4X4]

Thanks for the reply - is the general feeling that 170 pilots will only be allowed to fly under SA? Also, how many pilot does SA have?

 

[PapaGiorgio]

SA has 86 active pilots, give or take a couple. Some are occasionly away on military stuff. Most of the pilots I would say have been there between 2 months and a 2yrs. About 30 or 40 guys and gals have been there 2 plus years. Not knowing anymore than anybody else for the most part--I would think that the only difference in day to day life between a SA pilot and a Chq pilot will be an ID badge once this is all said and done, if even that. They may rebadge everybody. I think this is all about shuffling papers really.

 

[PapaGiorgio]

Just another quick thought on the whole SA/CHQ thing that is mystifying us all. I know this my or may not belong under this thread but oh well....

Obviously this thing could go either way for any of us. The questions remain: How will they integrate? If the two groups do are we all allowed to move about the three certificates at will as OldMan asks. Or are we all confined and seat locked to whatever we initially bid or hold for that matter. What about FO’S at SA that are ready to upgrade in the Saab but now can’t? Will they be locked in as an FO at CHQ for 2 yrs? That does not seem to fair to me. Some could possibly even lose the left seat. SA top pilots will certainly lose a lot of seniority relatively speaking. People who came here hoping for the world famous quick upgrade are hosed for that option.

None the less it should be interesting to say the least. True: there is no doubt the SA people do gain the most as far as options and security go. There just simply is no arguing that. What I don’t think it’s about is the SA group looking at these big shiny planes and saying “We want that”. What I think it represents for the SA guys and gals is an opportunity to improve there quality of life weather that be in a 135/40/45 or even the Saab. Keep in mind that like 90% of the pilots commute. Some more than a 1000 nautical and from both coasts to get to IAD and fly nothing but out and backs on completely inefficient and uncommutable lines. How about 10 days off with 65 hrs of flying? 3 day trips with hotels on both ends for 4.5 hrs of flying? The group as a whole, if allowed, will probably simply disappear into the system going to various bases, weather that be big plane or little plane, so long as it puts an end or curbs the hassle of getting to work. The pilots at SA are top notch. They’ve managed to keep an upbeat friendly and fun atmosphere despite some of the worst operating conditions in the business and being let down continuously on any growth prospect through the years.

So whatever…….if the merge comes just roll with it. It will probably take 6 months of flying to even bump into 2 pilots that came from old Shuttle. Let’s just all be grateful that Shuttle is not the size of Mesa or XJet. And if it doesn’t….see you guys back in cell block G.

 

[BlackPilot628]

Rosa told me last week that there is a new E170 base opening on June 1st. It will be ORD=Chicago. Which of course is no surprise. They're currently waiting to announce where the E170 base for Delta is going to be. Tentatively they're saying CMH.