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EAS MUST go on..

So sayeth the DOT

Quote:

US DOT Blocks SkyWest From Suspending Flights To 29 Cities Over Pilot Shortages

BY JOE KUNZLERPUBLISHED 7 HOURS AGOThe US Department of Transportation has intervened to stop SkyWest's service withdrawal and seek replacement vendors for the EAS.
Photo: Getty ImagesIn response to SkyWest's announcements that the US pilot shortage would cause it to withdraw Essential Air Services (EAS) connections to 29 cities that began last month, the US Department of Transportation has intervened to stop SkyWest's service withdrawal while seeking replacement vendors for the EAS connections.

Political intervention to buy time

Several Congressmembers last week wrote to the Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, insisting...
...DOT to issue an order prohibiting SkyWest from terminating air service and requiring the airline to serve out the remainder of its contract through June 2023. Concurrently, we request that the Department expedite the initiation of a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for future service so that another suitable air carrier can provide service to these communities.
US Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg's department took just those actions. In an order prohibiting termination of service, the US Department of Transportation noted.

Furthermore, the US Department of Transportation stated an intention to place consecutive 30-day orders on SkyWest not to terminate service until a replacement air carrier is found. In its order, the US Department of Transportation also requested bids to provide Essential Air Services to replace SkyWest.

[spoiler]P

https://simpleflying.com/skywest-blo...lot-shortages/

Good. They reaped the benefits of flying those subsidized routes for years, they shouldn’t be able to ditch them because they can’t staff properly.

I wonder what Carrier can replace Skywest? All of them are having recruiting issues, and severe shortages of F/O's qualified to upgrade.

And where will Skywest get the pilots to keep flying EAS? Pull them from their non-EAS flying?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirBear (Post 3389725)

Would the feds permit milk runs? 1 or 2 intermediate stops (other EAS?) on the way to the destination / hub? Save some crews that otherwise would end up coming from two locations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TransWorld (Post 3389738)

Would the feds permit milk runs? 1 or 2 intermediate stops (other EAS?) on the way to the destination / hub? Save some crews that otherwise would end up coming from two locations.

I used to do, DTW-PLN-APN-DTW

Quote:

Originally Posted by TransWorld (Post 3389738)

Would the feds permit milk runs? 1 or 2 intermediate stops (other EAS?) on the way to the destination / hub? Save some crews that otherwise would end up coming from two locations.

We were doing that already, with 50 seats jets, not too long ago.

Be interesting to see how they require it when we don't have enough pilots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boredflyguy (Post 3390787)

Be interesting to see how they require it when we don't have enough pilots.

Their reaction will be interesting when no airline tries to replace SkyWest on those routes for the same staffing reasons.

A lot of these communities have 135 operators local and live there that could step up to scheduled operations for the right price.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boredflyguy (Post 3390787)

Be interesting to see how they require it when we don't have enough pilots.

Hasn’t stopped the government from requiring things that are impossible, in the past.