Truth behind Colgan leaving US Airways

[SiouxHockeyFan]

Keep hearing the rumors from PDT buddies about Colgan and other Us Airways contract carriers flying turbo props. Supposedly they will be all gone by 06. Truth from the Colgan people? TSA J41 people? Air Midwest 1900 people? Anyone know any truths? Will Piedmont be the only turbo prop operator for scare ways?

 

[727PAA]

Suppose its possible.

I guess it is possible, but I wouldn't think it would happen.
1. Colgan, Air Midwest etc fly the 1900 on the EAS contracts. I guess US Air would have to give them up.

2. Didn't AWA use Mesa for their turboprop stuff out west? Seems like Doug Parker likes the lowest bidder type stuff.

3. I would question why USAIR/AWA would trade a 34 pax airplane(SF-340B) for an airplane that is usually weight restricted to 30 to 32 pax (Dash). That is just from my experience.

 

[PoorJetDriver]

I believe the Mesa contracts out west were signed before Parker's tenure at AWA. Also the -200 is not as weight critical. The J-41's are either already gone or nearly so.

 

[millhouse21]

All the TSA guys flying the J41 for USAir will be displaced in Dec.

 

[English]

This rumor has been coming up every year since Colgan started doing the codeshare.

Corresponding rumor is that Colgan will be getting jets.

 

[Guitar Guy]

1900's at CMH

Who flies 1900's into and out of CMH? I thinks it's either Colgan or Commutair.

 

[LowlyPropCapt]

I guess it is possible, but I wouldn't think it would happen.
1. Colgan, Air Midwest etc fly the 1900 on the EAS contracts. I guess US Air would have to give them up.

2. Didn't AWA use Mesa for their turboprop stuff out west? Seems like Doug Parker likes the lowest bidder type stuff.

3. I would question why USAIR/AWA would trade a 34 pax airplane(SF-340B) for an airplane that is usually weight restricted to 30 to 32 pax (Dash). That is just from my experience.

Ummm... Not quite accurate. In my nearly six years of flying Dash 8's, I have never seen any that was restricted to 30 to 32 pax (unless it is something REALLY weird like the autofeather MEL'd). 34 or 35 maybe on a -100 with a distant alternate, but not lower than that. Seems like I take allot of bags that Colgen SAABs leave behind, as a matter of fact. Nothing against Colgen or the SAAB, but lets be correct in our thinking.

As far as Colgen leaving U, I haven't heard that rumor, aside from sime pie in the sky wishful thinking on the part of some Piedmont folks.

 

[sync8]

3. I would question why USAIR/AWA would trade a 34 pax airplane(SF-340B) for an airplane that is usually weight restricted to 30 to 32 pax (Dash). That is just from my experience.

I've flown the dash for 4 years now and have never seen a 32 pax restriction unless for some MEL (performance) limit.or a day when you use 3585.. The 100 is usually restricted to 34 0r 35 depending on the fuel requirements.the 300 is 50pax 83 bags.. and the 200 depending on the leg length you can usually fill er up..

Haven't heard the Colgan rumor but did hear that TSA turboprops will be out of the system soon..That's from the new Airways management

 

[727PAA]

I was perplexed about the weight restriction myself, but, I have been carrying alot of extra bags out of LGA, and the gate agents tell me it is because of the D-8 weight restrictions. This is on the same day where I am carrying 34 pax and 40 checked. I am not trying to put down anyones airplane or company, I am just reporting what they are telling me. I did hear about the J41's though.

Perhaps the restriction is only at 32 depending on the jumpseater

 

[Beaver_Liquors]

I think that this is where it is coming from, copied from the us air web site, it is still on there if you want to see for yourself, its the PR when they announced the merger.

Fleet/Route System
US Airways/US Airways Express currently serves 179 cities and America West/America West Express serves 96 cities. When merged, the combined airline will become the nation’s fifth largest airline, as measured by domestic Available Seat Miles (ASMs). The combined airline is expected to operate a mainline fleet of 361 planes (supported by 239 regional jets and 57 turboprops for feed into the mainline system), down from a total of 419 mainline aircraft operated by both airlines at the beginning of 2005.

I think that PDT has 57 dashes.. doesnt say who is going to fly what, but people maybe reading through the lines.

BL

 

[buzzoffyou]

sync8 is right. The new US Airways management said that Mesa and TSA would be out. He didn't give at time frame. Nothing was said about Colgan.

 

[dh82dvr]

SAAB - Swedish for Send Another Aircraft for Bags

 

[mamba20]

Hey Beaver, ever been to the store? They've got some great t-shirts! Too bad their stickers wouldnt be appropriate on flight bags

 

[Beaver_Liquors]

yeah been there... They have a good wine selection downstairs. how about beaver divers? I have not stopped by but its a real store

bl

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
I've not heard any rumors about Colgan leaving the USAirways Express system. However, it remains to be seen if the AWA/US merger will have an impact on the future of contract carriers. Colgan has a good relationship with USAirways contrary to what some will say here. Primarily, because of Colgan's ability to underbid most of the competition. In fact, Colgan is THE only carrier in the turboprop niche. Couple this with a non-union workforce and it is easy to see why Continental and UAL have contracted Colgan over the past year.
In the current economic climate airlines will be looking to further reduce costs. The 50-seat turboprop may indeed see a renissance for the 300NM or less segments. This places Colgan in a good strategic position to take advantage of the market share that no other airline is either willing or able economically to compete.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[Alaska82]

Its all good

 

[WSurf]

Primarily, because of Colgan's ability to underbid most of the competition.

Lovely, Just Lovely

 

[Shrek]

TSA 41's GONE by DEC 05

 

[LowlyPropCapt]

Hello,
I've not heard any rumors about Colgan leaving the USAirways Express system. However, it remains to be seen if the AWA/US merger will have an impact on the future of contract carriers. Colgan has a good relationship with USAirways contrary to what some will say here. Primarily, because of Colgan's ability to underbid most of the competition. In fact, Colgan is THE only carrier in the turboprop niche. Couple this with a non-union workforce and it is easy to see why Continental and UAL have contracted Colgan over the past year.
In the current economic climate airlines will be looking to further reduce costs. The 50-seat turboprop may indeed see a renissance for the 300NM or less segments. This places Colgan in a good strategic position to take advantage of the market share that no other airline is either willing or able economically to compete.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

Translation:

"My cohorts and I are willing to underbid anyone, including the current US Airways wholly-owned carrier(s), to gain access to additional turboprop flying. We will do this no matter what the price to us and our families and will screw any pilot group who draws a line in the sand regarding compensation and work rules."

"We are bottom feeders and are proud to remain so. Watch out World! We want your jobs!"

You sound as though you are PROUD of Colgan's ability to underbid the competion. Is that really such a good thing? You have also said that Colgan is the only carrier in the turboprop niche. That is not so at all: How about Piedmont? Commuteair? Did they gets jets recently?

I am actually concered a great deal about Colgan underbidding the competion in a bid for survival. They must continue to aquire larger turboprops... Post 9/11 security costs, advancing airframe age and additional part 121 equipment regulations has made the 19 seat aircraft a money losing proposition. I see a time in the future when Colgan may try for a larger piece of the US Airways Express pie by virtue of their low labor costs. What a shame that would be for the Piedmont folks who have earned a fairly decent (for a regioinal) quality of life and have the benefits of a mature labor agreement. I hope I am wrong about this, but it wouldn't suprise me a bit.

 

[ChperpltII]

I've not heard any rumors about Colgan leaving the USAirways Express system. However, it remains to be seen if the AWA/US merger will have an impact on the future of contract carriers. Colgan has a good relationship with USAirways contrary to what some will say here. Primarily, because of Colgan's ability to underbid most of the competition. In fact, Colgan is THE only carrier in the turboprop niche. Couple this with a non-union workforce and it is easy to see why Continental and UAL have contracted Colgan over the past year.
In the current economic climate airlines will be looking to further reduce costs. The 50-seat turboprop may indeed see a renissance for the 300NM or less segments. This places Colgan in a good strategic position to take advantage of the market share that no other airline is either willing or able economically to compete

You're kidding right?