Piedmonster

Oh ya, I forgot to confirm it earlier.
They are handing out the 200 differences packets.
Also, some slides in the power point presentations for the ECU have 200 material that was recently added in.

So are we getting them?

"We don't know, but we just wanted to give you this stuff anyways."
From the company that wont print CQ guides, winter ops packets, FILs or just about anything else because of cost, they ptint this almost half inch thick packet for us... So the question remains unanswered.
But we get some clues here and there.

Phuz

It would make sense, wouldn't it? Many of the places we fly 4-8 times a day from LGA have avg load factors below 50%. You could cut those back, but as you pointed out the whole reason we're up there is to protect Airways' slots.

As far as new destinations, I agree completely. The perimeter rule only allows flights to be within 1500nm of LGA though, so your choices are limited by that. Even still, there must be other cities willing to fly to LGA even once or twice a day that we could serve better.

dashtrash300

Thanks Piedmonster! Any word on needing additional recalls? Best of luck in the sims. I really hope that the instructors understand we have been out for just over 3 full months. Granted we should not have forgot most of the procedures but the fact that sim is a b i tch to fly doesn't help.

LostInPA

On the surface it makes sense. Figure, you're trying to offer these flights at the lowest possible costs, hence the multiple DH8 trips. Once you start cutting back frequency, you've cut out any fare premium that you may be able to command. LGA is the natural 'most convenient' airport for 'business' traffic, as it is closest to Manhattan, but JFK has Airtrain/LIRR/NYC subway connections without waiting for a bus or an expensive cab/car ride. Once you cut out US' frequency domination, B6 and DL at JFK, even with 2-4 dailies, become more of a threat.

In addition, maybe this is the best way to sit on slots without raising the DOT's ire, or opening yourself up to competitive pressures. Adding roundtrips somewhere else (Florida markets are the perennial example) is a very good idea that deserves consideration. But AA, DL, FL, B6, and NK already have tens of total trips in those markets. So yeah, you'll fill the airplane, but your yields are going to be extremely low. That DH8 is going to, almost guaranteed, cover its direct operating and aircraft ownership costs even less than half full. Profitability is not a yes or no question.

In addition, by selling only 'some' of the slots, maybe the value of the rest as a package is lowered. You sell DL 120, that's enough to build a sizeable operation. But if you sell them 5 or 10 at a time, you may take a large deal like this off the table.

Captjhan

...Allowing this myth to continue to perpetuate itself allows management to cheaply keep morale from slipping ever further into the abyss. It also gives them ammunition when asked: "What are you doing to ensure the future of this airline." Every time they talk about the 200's from Mesa they say: "It would only be cost effective if they got ALL of them, all 16 that is. The united colors and the Airways colors. If that's the case, and they REFUSE to add capacity as they've said a hundred thousand times, then the only reason to get the 200's outside of the PHX operation would be to replace the 100's that they own, here in the east. Hmmm.. Replace the 100's that they Own with leased 200's right after they let go of 11 100 leases because it wasnt cost effective to keep paying on them when they could just increase utilization of the Junk we fly now. Tell me, everyone but the Kool-Aid drinking lostinPA, how likely is it that USAirways, which is obviously contented with Piedmont running the status quo until they physically can no longer operate, enters into lease agreements that would be more expensive than the ones they JUST got rid of. You People are DREAMing. Peidmont is going to continue as is unless one of the following happens: 1 we have a fatal accident which forces MNGMT to reevaluate our Aircraft, or 2: The older 100's can't have their cycles extended and the airline goes away as fast as those aircraft are retired.

RAH RAH REE

wow...you mean you guys are now down to perpetuating a 200 rumor and not the q400 rumor that was floating around when I was there 4 years ago?

Republic is dumping all of Lynx's 400s...start the rumor!

CaptKrunch

Couldn't they easily replace some of the CRJ-200 flying they are getting rid of with Dash flying? The CRJ-200's out west are on pace to be gone soon...

Captjhan

That's because two thirds of the chicks that fly your EMB's failed out of training at Piedmont and so they know a bigger dash is out of the question for Republic.

dashtrash300

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LostInPA

And you accuse me of drinking the Kool-Aid? Hell yeah, once I add some dark rum it tastes mighty fine.

Wow....someone (in this case myself) does not subscribe to the normal groupthink about PDT so I'm immediately labeled a "Kool-Aid Drinker". I'd venture to say that I've had some different experiences than you in this industry, Captjhan. Don't lecture me about what I am and am not supposed to think.