Originally Posted by
Yabadaba
There is a bit more than this... #12 was cancelled, yes. The financing was agreed upon while under Chap 11 and the terms were LOUSY! That is why the 11th airplane took an extra month while they tried to get better terms from the financer. The price was higher than the present market price because the options were from over three years ago and now the market is soft. They also have some expensive options we don't use (HGS and MTOP). By my count there was only one option left of the remaining 10 to exercise anyway... as they had been expiring monthly throughout the bankruptcy. Doesn't mean BB will keep them around or lynx for that matter... but we are a present Q customer and we can get a more appropriate Q order sooner than advertised. The Q serves specific destinations very well and if they can pimp us out... they will.
We work for an airline that escaped bankruptcy during a recession. I too was offered a lot 2 and half years ago but my expectations changed with bankruptcy and $147 dollar oil. I am glad to have a job and will work with ALL the certificates to make this a better place to work.
Don't forget MTOP got an extra 500 to 1000 lbs takeoff weight out of DRO on a 5600' long runway! Very helpful. Also, options Colgan doesnt have are dual FMS and RDC Np.
But, yes...I think Menke, as VP, will be a HUGE advocate for the Q...you can't assume otherwise considering he saw the value of the Q and launched an all Q operation.
But...then again...if I had any real brains, I wouldn't be a pilot...