Originally Posted by
John Pennekamp
Nothing can replace the mighty ATR! NOTHING!!!
All joking aside, a Saab 340 would be the WORST replacement except maybe a Brasilia. The thing will be weight limited on most of the ASA ATR routes, especially when winter and bad weather with lots of alternates arrives.
I heard they plan to fly it to MYR. Good luck taking off out of MYR with 34 people, all those golf clubs, and flying two hours to ATL with an alternate of BHM. They might be able to take 28 people. Mind you, ATRs can take 66 people and full cargo in that situation, and we're usually full out of MYR.
As for HXD (HHH) the Saab will be severely weight limited when it gets hot again.
I'm really surprised Delta isn't setting Colgan up with some Q400s to fly our routes. I think that's what everyone expected. The Saab thing was the last thing anyone expected, and I'm wondering if it's intentional misinformation they put out through the rumor mills as a red herring.
Granted yes the actual problem in that scenario is seating capacity. We do rarely take 34 but with the usual 28 people or so plus cargo and fuel for weather it can be done. I mean cmon look where these saabs are flown...... Upper midwest and canada some of the worst weather you can find so fuel for alternates is a very familiar issue for our little pink saabs.