CPS does what they are told. Trust me when you guys being understaffed was deliberate, and it wasn't to work you to death.

All I was doing was throwing a little of my crazy thinking out there. I do normally keep my theories to myself, but you guys were starting to go all over the place, so I figured I would join in. :)

satchip:
You flew Starlifter A's or B's? Kindred Spirit, regardless!

Haha yeah, I'm aware that they weren't understaffing just to be big ole meanies - everyone knew they didn't want to hire if they were going to inundated with flowdowns the next month. Most of us at CPS have taken their decision to finally hire enough to properly staff us as evidence that our jobs are probably ok for now.

Acl65plt
 

Had a Compass captain jumpseat with me this past week. Those 175's ARE certified...he said they have the placards installed. FWIW....

He's been in the front of the Shuttle America Delta Connection E175s?

adding to this... E175's are Certified as follows:

Type Certificate Data Sheet

Model ERJ 170-200 LR (Transport Category Airplane) approved February 20, 2004

Maximum Weights Max Ramp Weight: 83,026 lb (37,660 kg)
Max Takeoff Weight: 82,673 lb (37,500 kg)
Max Landing Weight: 74,957 lb (34,000 kg)
Max Zero Fuel Weight: 69,886 lb (31,700 kg)

Maximum Weights** Max Ramp Weight: 89,353 lb (40,530 kg)**
Max Takeoff Weight: 89,001 lb (40,370 kg)**
Max Landing Weight: 75,178 lb (34,100 kg)**
Max Zero Fuel Weight: 72,091 lb (32,700 kg)**
** post-mod SB 170-00-0016.

Then the FAA lets the Manufacturer "re-certify" the weights lower at the operator's request under a Service Bulletin to side step labor agreements. But as far as the FAA is concerned, the airplanes are Certified to the higher weights, the restrictions to violate the spirit and intent of our contract is a "marketing" issue, not an airworthiness issue.

FWIW, the FAA's Certification Manager shares my opinion of ALPA scope. What surprises me is that you hear almost the same exact words from Experts in a variety of places who never had any opportunity to speak to one another.

The jumpseater had been at Compass for about 3 years. He said a mod was done and they have placards installed in the aircraft now. Now I don't know much about the 170's 175's etc....so take it with a grain of salt. But again...he was Compass...a straight shooter and he DID say a mod was done. Now what kinds of mods can 170's get?

bucking bar I didn't "pry" for info...he just happened to say that a mod had been done. Your above post may be it though. Perhaps a re-certify downward.

The 175 is otherwise known as the EMB-170-200LR. Just another mod to the 170 airframe to bring the MATOW up to 86000, and MLW to 74900. DALPA scope limits the number of aircraft that can exceed this weight to the 36 that Compass have that have gotten the mod to make them EMB-170-200AR's, with a MATOW of 89000 and MLW of 75100. I don't think any real work was done to raise the weights, it was just some pencil-whipping and a little cash...