cactusflyer

I was under the impression that QX/AAG had renewed the leases on most of those airframes, which is why they're going in for the heavy checks now.

When the Shiny Jet contract was signed, I recall there being something in the language that guaranteed QX the 30 firm jet orders, plus 50% of any converted options, but given that AAG views our contracts as "polite suggestions", I wouldn't be at all surprised if The Brads are trying to find a way to give those airplanes to someone else.

NorthRckB

This is correct. There is a fleet agreement clause to the shiny jet contract. 30 plus 3 more announced jets will go to Horizon. At least 50% of the jet options will go to Horizon provided the Target Hard time (70%) is met.

Of course one side could try to weasel out of the agreement if their needs aren't being met. Just like in a marriage, nothing is guaranteed. At that point the lawyers become involved.

I am not a lawyer but after reading through the fleet agreeement, the jets will go to Horizon.

Jonneaux

Just heard today from someone well placed here at SkyWest that many of the jets slated for Horizon this year may get diverted to OO. This is because they are behind on certification and having staffing issues. Delaying the program will also have significant adverse effects on training costs.

Emphasize MAY. And, this has nothing to do with the pilot group.

NorthRckB

Certainly possible but highly unlikely. The staffing for the jet is no problem. Check airmen and instructors have been certified for months and were sitting idle until recently. Certification for the jet is mostly complete with a few proving runs being conducted right now. Yesterday the jet was in Santa Barbara. The hiring pool is mostly full for the jet and a lot of the captains have transitioned over to the jet already with more training slots filled through April/May.

The huge glaring problem is the Q. It's mostly paid for and makes gobs of money. But no one wants to fly it. Last I heard it was $20,000 to $30,000 signing bonus being negotiated with the union. AAG is an accounting firm that just happens to run an airline. The accountants will have to decide what makes more sense, higher bonuses or parking a nearly 20 year old plane.

Whatever the outcome, we will find out this year.

snackysmores

Or option C, give jets away. Don't have to increase bonuses or park Qs.

While they twiddle their thumbs, Mid level seniority FOs with 1000+ hours are bailing in droves to airlines with fast CA upgrades.

Jonneaux

Certification is mostly complete, how many months late?

As for the pool full for the jet? What pool? It's my understanding that the first batch of FO's will be senior Q FO's, after that what? You need to back fill the right seat of the Q and you can't do that now. Upgrades are being postponed for lack of FO's. Unless they park Q's 1 for 1 as 175 come online it isn't going to happen.

BTW CRJ Captain just went to 10 months here, ERJ around 3 years. What will upgrade time on the 175 be there?

snackysmores

About 15 years.

Yogipilot

Don't think late at all not sure how your so informed being your at skypest, As for being so in the know of the pool status your greatly misinformed. I'm sure Skywest pilots would love more airframes at the expense of QX (Union) pilots Im sure QX will get their crap together and that we wil once again be a great destination (Union) airline. Or we will take a stand and let the bottom feeders continue to be training platform lie many have bought into. The regionals don't shut the door when fuel prices go up as much as they cry about it they just pay it. The price of pilots just went up.

sleepy1456

Why go to another airline's discussion and talk about gossip.

Personally, I'm at SKYW and would rather see the planes at QX. The gossip and recruitment tactics at another airline's expense keep the "SkyPest" name strong.

Jonneaux

Drunk on Kool Aide.