Commutair and CAL cutbacks
 

With the announcment of CALs cutbacks in the fall, we know how its affecting XJT (new CPA) and CHQ (parked CRJs) but how is it affecting Commutair? I noticed quite a few cities cut out of CLE are Commutair cities. I also noticed they are going to be flying a lot of XJTs old routes. Are they planning on a furlough or is their staffing ok? Has the projected upgrade time changed at all? Thanks for the info.

If they are going to start flying a lot of XJT's old routes why would they furlough? Those dashes are pretty good on fuel, so I would say they would be ok... But what does that mean these day... nada.

Something is happening at Commutair. Starting October 1 they are going to be moving 6 aircraft to EWR and begin serving IAD, AVP, MDT, ITH, BDL, ALB, PHL, SYR. It will be interesting to see where this is going.

Furloughing is the furthest thing from our heads right now. Something definitely is up, but of course we have as much information as anybody else. EWR service seems to be pretty much a sure thing, but it remains to be seen if there will actually be a base. Fingers crossed for a base and more/bigger aircraft. Hiring suspended for now, starts back up in the fall? If so, what could that possibly mean??? :)

They expected fo's to get fed up with the system and quit. The company expects that at least a 1/3 of the fo's will move on every couple of months.

They have been talking about Q400's for a while, but who knows.

I'm betting EWR will be a base, and junior at that.

Isnt BDL,ALB,PHL,SYR all Colgan stops on the Q400? Is Colgan getting bumped?

I realize that their pay structure isn't great, but are things really that bad that 1/3 of the fo's decide to bail after only 2 months? It doesn't even seem long enough to finish probation. How many f/o's do they have anyway?

I have a few friends over there and they say that they enjoy it and that their only gripe is the payscale. Besides where are those 1/3 gonna go? I don't know about you but I'd rather stay in a Q200 than a 172 instructing some Indian or Chinese kid who will be flying an Airbus long before you make regional FO line holder.

they are suppose to hire in aug. I applied there and got a call saying i was in a pile for an interview in aug...who knows it might have changed.

Damn...I must be the wrong kind of Chinese.

It's good to hear that your friends are enjoying it over at CA. I wasn't taking a jab, I was just surprised at beeker's comment about their apparently high fo turnover; that's all. And yes, given the only choices of staying in a Q200, or instructing, most people would choose the former. In my case, I'm going back to instructing. And yes, I might be teaching some Indian, or Chinese, kid in a 172 who might be flying an Airbus long before I get there; but, flight time is flight time and I might make more $ than as an rjfo. So, I'm ok with that.

Sorry, I'm gonna need a source for this. AVP, MDT, ITH, and PHL would all be ADDED cities out of EWR. With the current state of CAL and this industry, I find it extremly hard to believe CAL would be adding new routes anywhere for that matter. They are cutting back huge on routes right now. IAD, BDL, ALB, and SYR I can see getting taken over (Colgan is already flying these routes) but other added routes? I'd have to see that one in fine print.

Routing is updated on CAL website.

I know you weren't taking a jab and if you want to instruct, props to you. I know personally I would prefer the Q but making career decisions always include more factors than what I will be flying (QOL, pay scale, etc).

is EWR going to be a base? If so will junior FO's/CA's get displaced? How many pilots will staff the base?

It will probably be a junior base.........

Is CommutAir hiring now next month? How long to upgrade?

Are you tempted? Anything goes when it comes to getting furloughed. Well almost.

Upgrades are running about 2 years.

Did you mean to say were running around 2 years? I am could not even venture an educated guess to where upgrades are here now.

Did you mean to say were running around 2 years? I could not even venture an educated guess to where upgrades are here now.

They were just under 2 years....not sure what they are running now.