Beech90

Who would take Whiskeys flying?

nuball5

500 departures/day, probably dispersed to Republic, PSA, PDT and Envoy. Airways has asked AWAC to take on more flying lately, so if a shutdown does happen next year, looks like it would have to be a slow process.

Beech90

I don't know much about Whiskeys history, but I do have friends there that say the company is profitable. Why wouldn't airways extend the contact? Even if it's just until 2017...unless they want to reduce the number do carriers flying their feeds..

trevtt600

To 4 airlines that cant staff their current flying?? Airways came to us because PSA cant staff their airplanes as it is. That's why we are doing more flying.

nuball5

Yeah we will see. Add Mesa and Compass too. If AWAC's aging owners don't want to be in the airline business anymore, there's nothing stopping them.

FODhopper

Sigh...the question of who would take AWAC's flying smells a bit like trolling...

Air Willy is not going anywhere...the extension is going to happen and just because there is not 10 year contract in hand now means nothing.

There are very few regionals if any that could absorb all that flying since everyone is having staffing issues, especially those in recent years that have made over-enthusiastic promises just to win flying they already have.

The number of 50 seaters will continue to shrink to about 4-500 domestically and those who operate them the most efficiently are likely to keep doing that...and even Air Willy acknowledges that the platform is not a long term strategy. They also know that they don't need to panic.

AWAC has a fair amount of cash and could refleet more nimbly for the right contract....which guides their philosophy...secure flying that ensures fundamental strength rather than short-term gains.

idlethrust

Someone is drinking that Awac koolaid big time. Just better have you a plan b in place.You never know what someone else is thinking in regards to their privately held business. Alot of 50 seaters will be removed from AAG s fleet that is well known.Eagle is parking theirs , slowly, Psa is keeping theirs , at least for now so that just leaves the 71 at Awac and a few at skywest.Hmmmmmm.Where do you think the majority of the cuts will probably come from as Psa and mesa continue to load up on large rjs? And from what I've heard psa isn't having an issue staffing so far, neither is Mesa.Take it for what it's worth

FODhopper

I've been around long enough to know what kool-aid tastes like...had enough aviation employment rungs pulled out from under me...and yes of course I have a plan B and C. What a tired retort you are using.

Yay for Mesa and PSA but who wants to work under those conditions and pay...I never said those airlines were having trouble hiring, I was referring to places like Republic that has made large aircraft orders and promises and can barely staff what they have.

Its an example of how these carriers have managed growth and contraction and who does it better. I'll take AWAC with their record of never having to declare bankruptcy in their 49 years of existence. The future may be unknown but I feel quite comfortable with the uncertainty here than elsewhere.

phlyingPhil

that's extremely well put and I feel safer that other people are going to AWAC with the same idea. I am going into the next class and am really excited and nervous, but AWAC was my first choice.

Those of us who are just joining the ranks of regional pilots know have at least one other offer, I know I did. When i was looking for airlines to apply to, i looked at numerous factors, and even with the 2015 contract expiration looming, the interview process soothed my fears.

The way all of the regionals are currently hiring, you could get hired by anyone, and likely if you passed the AWAC interview,[one of the harder ones I experienced] you could potentially go anywhere.

just my 2 cents

nuball5

Good luck in training. Just study and ask questions, and you'll do fine.