They could do a d/b/a arrangement with another carrier

In a prior life when I was in management and flying for a former carrier there was an individual who was a friend with one of the owners of our airline. This person owned 3 B727s. This individual wanted to start up his own airline. The intention was to put the two of his three aircraft he owned onto our certificate. His aircraft would have to under go a bridging inspection to put his aircraft onto our certificate as well. Our airline would interview, hire, and train pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics for those aircraft that would be operated under our certificate for his desired routes. All of these employees would be under contract to our airline.

During this time he would put together the required FAR Part 119 personnel so his own airline could undergo the certification. A third aircraft he owned along with some of the contract employees were to be used for his airlines’ certification process. In theory and on paper very easy. But in reality… way too many complications.

With this in mind, his aircraft, pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics have to operate and maintain these aircraft in accordance with our certificate. We, the “host airline” would be on the hook to all vendors that all expenses in connection with his operation are covered. Remember, the DOT looks at an airlines operation, and payment record, as the FAA looks oversees our operations, and of course the traveling public… well you know about the traveling public. This could affect us for future expansion and our reputation. These people don’t care who is piggy backing on your certificate… it’s our airline’s reputation. It’s a lot of responsibility for a “hosting carrier” to assume. If the plan doesn’t work out for the individual seeking a certificate, he walks away from the program, and the “host carrier” is stuck with the bad rap from the traveling public, the DOT, and the FAA. They don’t care about the “Master Plan!

Hey what about pay issues? There is going to be trouble in paradise if there is a major disparity in pay between both groups.

Again it can be done, but you ain’t going to find a rube that would take on another carrier’s responsibility.

Either way, there is no way around the DOT and FAA certification program.