Saabs at TLH

[SEVEN]

No offense, but those airlink Saabs must be a heck of an age. Looking pretty rough inside and out! I thought Northwest's color was red, these have mostly faded to pink - not a great image for the big-D passenger.

Have flown on them several times now on my commute. Great crews, willing to go out of their way to get you on. Seems like the airplane is very weight restricted most times however, so you have to have a backup plan.

In the process of redoing the entire interiors and exeriors of the plane. Most of the B+ Saab models are built in the late 90's.
With our new weight and balance system, we have alot more flexibility with regards to getting jumpseaters and non-revs on.

 

[SplitBar]

No offense, but those airlink Saabs must be a heck of an age. Looking pretty rough inside and out! I thought Northwest's color was red, these have mostly faded to pink - not a great image for the big-D passenger.

They approx 12-13 years old. XJ took delivery of them when they were brand new. They will start undergoing the new Delta paint jobs soon so they will once again look brand new.

 

[Limeyflyer]

They will start undergoing the new Delta paint jobs soon so they will once again look brand new.

First one went down for Paint last night

 

[SoberIrishman]

Once again, great crews, and commuters appreciate all the help!
Your saabs should look good in the new paint! Sorry you have to put up with ATL however.

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

First one went down for Paint last night

Which one? Maybe they'll do 439 or 441 - or as I call them: The planes with the maps of places we don't fly anymore.

 

[KingAir1985]

Mesaba has been open for 65 years this year.

The new interiors on the SAAB look nice as well.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Northwest-Airlink-(Mesaba/Saab-340B-Plus/1503269/L/

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

Mesaba has been open for 65 years this year.

The new interiors on the SAAB look nice as well.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Northwest-Airlink-(Mesaba/Saab-340B-Plus/1503269/L/

Sadly, you and I both know how much Mesaba spends to keep those planes in that condition.

 

[aa73]

It didn't take long at all for this thread to end up in the gutter did it?

To answer the question...

On April 1st, Delta returned to the TLH-MCO/FLL/TPA markets using Mesaba Saab 340s. Those routes are flown under the "Delta Connection" brand. The flights are fed by the MEM-TLH route that is operated on behalf of NWA as "NWA Airlink." There are still 2 CRJs on the route for a total of 3 flights. Crews come from the MEM base.

doesn't mesaba operate out of MSP and DTW? since when did they operate out of MEM? thought MEM was the old Express 1 (now Pinnacle) hub.

 

[aa73]

Younger than the DC 9's, MD 80's, and some of the 737's DAL has on property. They do need some paint, they're in the process now. But they are running over 11 hours of utilization a day and few spare frames in the stretched out DAL system.

DAL's 737-800s are pretty new.... their oldest one is probably a 99 or 00 model.

 

[KingAir1985]

Mesaba has been in MEM since 1997.

 

[aa73]

Mesaba has been in MEM since 1997.

Are you sure? When I was applying there in the 96-98 time frame, they only listed their bases as MSP and DTW. MEM was only Express 1 (which was using J32s at the time.)

 

[CptMurf]

Are you sure? When I was applying there in the 96-98 time frame, they only listed their bases as MSP and DTW. MEM was only Express 1 (which was using J32s at the time.)

MEN opened in May 99 I was in the second class that was based there in June 99. And your right on the 73's . I didn't realize they were down to 700's/800's. Wasn't long ago they were still operating the straight pipe 200's.

 

[KingAir1985]

Sorry, I was just referencing the Mesaba history page about the 1997 deal. My bad. I am sure CPTMURF is right, he is a good dude.

http://www.mesaba.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=67