We can't paint them in our company's colors because we don't have any and we fly for more than one codeshare. It's called diversifying. We need a generic colored aircraft to fly among the different codeshares while an aircraft is down for it's annual checks. Part of the price the company pays to be in the black every month instead of the red. Obtaining the cheapest operating cost is what differs those operating in the black and those tap dancing on bankruptcy. Lets focus on the things that don't really matter!

Was going out of LGA today. Saw E145's all white with a bright blue (royal blue maybe) tail and engines, and over at the Delta Shuttle saw what looked like E170's all white with the same royal blue engines and tails. No other markings whatsoever.

So, but keeping the aircraft generic with no affiliation whatsoever, you can use the same equipment to codeshare with many airlines....

so, the reason that real companies can not "run in the black" as you say is that they are facing unfair competition from fly by night carrier's such as these using a single aircraft to service multiple contracts.... something the branded, or in livery companies can not do. So, what your really saying is that the companies doing this are the prime examples of leading the race to the bottom and allowing management to prositute our profession.

Thank you for the explanation.... now that I understand it, which airline is it that's doing this?

Nope I never said any of that. I'm saying every little bit helps. You cut a bunch of corners here and there and what you'll end up with is a company operating for less price per seat mile without sacrificing pilot pay while other companies are wondering why they are broke.

If what you wrote is what you think I typed then sorry you don't understand anything. It's ok though it's fun! Nothing like constant justification even after the fact!!!! It's like someone on welfare telling me I'm poor because I don't own a flat screen TV!

Enjoy Eagle!!!!

I'm not too big on religion myself, but there are far worse motivations to be found in management teams. Some of them have moral philosophies which are flat-out satanic...

There is nothing wrong with painting a maintenance spare in generic colors. It is not feeding the race to the bottom. It is, in fact, a vote of confidence in our ability to maintain aircraft, needing only a handful of spares to cover multiple airlines' needs. Republic does operate an aircraft in Republic colors. Shuttle America has the blue birds, as does CHQ. Those planes also serve as charter aircraft.

comment deleted...

As Malcom Reynolds of Firefly once put it, though:

"Nothing worse than a monster who thinks he's right with God."

What's worse than borderline/flat-out satanic management is management who think they're right with the Almighty, in whichever form.

Um, Skywest has a few generic -200's in and out of ORD, and I'm not talking about the "Pepsi Can" paint scheme either.

It just looks really, really bad. I keep hearing people say these are just "spare" planes for when others are down for MX.... well, from what I've seen so far, they are being used regularly/daily, and it looks like crap.

Who's certificate are they on? How does that work with the capacity purchase agreement. I mean, if the CPA is with CHQ, but the "generic" plane isn't on CHQ's certificate... how does that work? everybody just turning a blind eye to a shuttle generic spare showing up to cover a CHQ flight? How does that work on your contract? I know you guys are all on the same pilot seniority list, but how does it cover flying an airplane on a different certificate? or are all planes on one certificate and leased to each individual carrier? Lots of questions... anybody with real answers.

It does sound like an interesting way to have to have fewer spare planes around...

If it saves money, why not let multiple airlines chip in and buy a few spares, and form a leasing/rental company. So, when your airline needs a spare, call the rental company.... when done, send it back, and let the next airline use it. Then you could spread the cost of spares out over more than just a few carriers. It is the next logical step.... right?

What about these crew companies now. Don't see it much in the US, but there are tons of companies hiring pilots, that then contract them out to foreign carriers for 1-5 year contracts.

How soon, before you have to check your schedule and see which set of wings and hat you are wearing today..... United Express, USAir Express, or your American Connection.