SkW's US contract was 3 years. Expires at the end of 2014/beginning of 2015.

It's actually for 15 aircraft. Originally 14 200's.
The 4 900s we have were supposed to be 1/1 swaps with 200s, but they decided to keep one extra 200 around. There was NO contract extention with the 900s, nor the additional 200.
When the contract is up 12/2014-01/2015, if not renewed, we simply are done flying for US.

As to what we have heard, (at least me): Nothing of substance.

For the US operation, we post the best perf/reliability #s compared to any of our other partner operations (UA/DL/AS/AA). We are rarely restricted, we rarely cancel anything. As product goes, I would find it surprising to lose the contract based on poor performance. It would just likely be that we are no longer needed in the new merged airline's plans.

Such things happen. Welcome to the regionals.


As to crew getting 20 min breaks in the Hubs, we have no such thing. If a crew needs a break and says so, we will just take one, largely cause this is not abused. That said, more often than not, someone will run in for the whole crew and round up food and bring it back while the others bust butt to get departure out in minimal time.
When we are turning a/c, our min turn time from block in to out is scheduled for 28 min (to get an adjusted on time departure). On a 6 leg day where we get behind, it's normal to work straight through quick turning in less than allotted time just to get back as close as possible to on time.