Originally Posted by
airtaxi101
Alaskans are not real happy with the Q400. Seems the bean counters figure it works on paper, but not in the real world. The crews are not familiar with Alaska flying in general (personal experience on a recent flight that boomeranged going to Kodiak due to a 20 kt crosswind).
If people have a choice they will choose Ravn (ERA) or Penair, rather than Horizon. No TSA hassle and local pilots flying well known routes. If Alaska decides to completely drop jet service to Alaska's smaller communities then it will be the end of Alaska airlines loyalty. It would be bad timing as Delta is increasing flights to Anchorage, FAI and Juneau. Alaska Air forgets its roots when focusing on "outside" markets like MarkAir and Wein Air Alaska did, well history shows how that went.
AAG will be in trouble if they provide a fleet mix that fails to meet Essential Air Service requirements, not because they switched from jet to turboprop service in Alaska markets with low yields. If jets were always full, switching to Q400 service wouldn't be a discussion. Delta and others are adding service because jets are full and there is capacity to provide more seats...which is exactly what their bean counters figure it works on their papers.