Here we go:

Our weights are actually FAA standard. We did a measurement...but of course it was done in the northeast where everyone is fatter and in MCO where everyone is traveling with everything they own for the 3 month vacation at Disney world. In the end...it back fired. So, we have the FAA standard weights...which suck. A lot.

My gripe with CAL hardstand is not that we can't operate there...it's the Ramp/Gate Agents don't want us there. Trust me, they are less than enthusiastic to get us what we need to get out. Every other carrier has no problem handing us the W&B paperwork we need 5 minutes prior...in IAH you're lucky to get it by departure time. We don't have ACARS on the 145, which means we're spinning the wheel by hand. Also, asking for anything like...oh...i don't know...semi-accurate counts for PAX and Bags beforehand is like apparently akin to asking them to make the earth spin in a different direction. Also, their ability to due simple math (i.e. 1 PAX = 6 bags) to get them to remove either some bags or people is a 20 minute ordeal. Even when just say "Hey, do this..." it takes 30 minutes to get it DONE. Our operation starting there was definately a cluster, and to a certain extent still is...but somehow we operate with above average completion and on-time performance with EVERY OTHER CARRIER than Continental AT IAH....170 included (which does have ACARS and it's not our "own BS times").