Pilotwhois47yrs

Say it isn't so Joe. Is Commutair closing its Dulles base?

JediCheese

Doubtful. AW took a ton of the flying we used to do out of IAD, but we're still there.

Plus we just built/expanded our training center in IAD.

marshal

Was this a side effect of parking of the dash and only having jets or something else?

v1valarob

Not exactly the most scientific but from the United time table for March we operate to the following out of IAD:

ALB, BDL, BTV, CLE, CMH, EWR, FAY, GRR, GSP, IND, JAX, MDT, ORF, RIC, ROA, ROC, SAV, SYR

A search through the United time tables for June shows we operate out of Dulles:

ALB, BDL, BTV, CHO, CLE, EWR, FAY, GRR, JAX, MDT, RIC, ROA, ROC, SCE, SDF.

If it’s somewhere new then you just gotta get lucky with a search, when it comes to this summer. March is the most recent month with a time table with an excel format available.

MGMTiswatchingU

Nope, we (MGMT) expect to grow IAD by end of this year. We're here to stay, atleast for a while. What made you ask though? Other than IAD not currently growing.

JediCheese

Management also expected to bring on 2 airplanes a month. I haven't seen a new bird in months in our D85.

As much as I want to trust management here, it's like domestic abuse when trying to believe what they say. I know they want to do better, but previous actions prove that all promises fall very short.

My final point is 'growing' IAD might not mean growing IAD turns. It might mean growing IAD hours by flying crews to EWR and then flying turns out of EWR.

the apprentice

Management expects a lot of things. The focus is no longer the 60 airplanes now is aircraft utilization and that why we have not seen any additional aircraft added. The reality is that the company is not able to staff any additional aircraft and is just playing around with the numbers to justify the shortcoming by coming up with a justifiable alternative.

MaxQ

Not an entirely accurate post.
1. Get the Dash pilots transitioned to the ERJ. Almost complete.
Why repeat the past mistake of hiring more people than can train?
This is reflected in larger classes lined up.
2. Fly the aircraft on property to full utilization. When that's done (which is Mar schedule I believe...someone correct me if I am wrong on that point) then add airplanes...which should be April.

You are correct in that a key component is staffing. Early in program it was poorly handled. Steps taken to improve previous problems were somewhat damaged by a few people stridently telling all who can read to go elsewhere, which delayed getting the base problem of not enough pilots fixed.
Reduced utilization and bringing Dash pilots over to the ERJ have come a long ways towards addressing these problems.

CommutAir just finished Feb. #3 out of 8 in UAX performance numbers (at least those parameters mgmt. shares with us enlisted folk).

Bring pilots in the door and additional aircraft will come and time to upgrade will plummet.
No reason this should not happen unless a few morons form online circular firing squads.

MGMTiswatchingU

MaxQ you just gotta understand that some of these keyboard warriors will never be pleased. Not even an effort to balance out the negatives with some positives like you did. Just misery misery misery.

I believe we have come a long way. Guys from other airlines usually come on here saying we are boomerangs (RTF, RTG). How we are always late and canceling flights (which some of it was true when sh** had hit the fan in the past). Now we have gotten much more reliable than our past reputation, as much as 3 out of 8 in UAX partner ranking, and not one peek outta them on this forum lately. Not even to say "you guys have improved". Ha! Hold strong CommutAir crew and non-flying employees, we are knocking it outta the park. Thank you guys for everything. Very Professional.

I must say, us management learnt from most of our mistakes. (We still make some ****ty ones)

P.S. I am glad we haven't taken a jet off the end of the runway since we commenced delivery in 2016 lol. And that's cuz we have great instructors, professional pilots and safety is our number 1 priority!!

PotatoChip

And go!
Contract allows for unlimited extensions. That will likely continue.
I see zero reason to encourage people to go to CommutAir with so many better options available.
All I’ll say is do your research, folks!