Yes, CAL approached RAH about flying the Q. However, discussions did not go very far as the Q did not fit in with Bedford's business plan. I'm not saying we are too good to fly it, or that props are beneath us. A lot if us have prop backgrounds, and would gladly bid for a chance to play with Beta again. Bedford has a comprehensive plan, and he did not want to be bothered. It is a shame, because the Q can be a real money maker. Why CAL asked us to fly them, and whether or not that was before or after Colgan started flying them, I don't know.

Options are just options, and can be traded and sold. Bedford regularly does that with his E-jet options. If RAH does not have a need for an aircraft as its ready to be built, he sells his upcoming delivery slot to another carrier for a premium, and takes their subsequent delivery slot. Colgan would do the same thing. Trade #'S 16-30 to someone who is ready for delivery, and assume rights to numbers 31-45.

Does any one know when the contracts for the saab are up with CAL, UAL, and US air??? I have my doubts that CAL will re-new the saab contract in IAH, but will more likely be replaced with the new Qs next year.

CAL Saab is up January 2010 (8 months before 1st Q "scheduled" for delivery/ Q's up Dec 2017

Airways is on a rolling 6 month term in which either side could cancel after each 6 months, has been this way since 2008.

UAL November 2011

The Q's in IAH will take some Saab flying but there are markets where only a small turbo prop can go to make money. VCT, MLU, BPT, LCH, DRT. These markets have lighter loads that can not fill up a Saab, no less a Q or RJ. Airlines do not want to have less flights to hubs so they would rather keep a Saab doing 3-4 flights a day than a Q doing 1-2.

I cant imagine CAL would drop the saab unless they found another carrier to do the saab routes.

CAL would be stupid to send a Q to even any of our destinations from the Saab. The Q is needed at a greater range more that of a RJ, like OKC, TUL, hell even DFW cause the huge loads. BTR, LBB. Cant wait till they get here.

I flew with brand new captains quite a few times when I was fresh off IOE. Green on green would have applied if the Captain was new to the CRJ, but since he was just new to the left seat only High Mins applied.

I just do not know who CAL would out on these routes. They would not want to put RJ's back on these routes. In fact CAL took some RJ routes from XJet because they were not profitable...CLL for example.

So CAL would have to find another prop shop for these routes and I can think of only CommutAir and Skywest.

Skywest 120's are not want CAL wants, this is why Colgan came in with the larger airframes. I even heard SkyWest bid the routes cheaper than Colgan but Colgan still got it because of the Saabs.

CommutAir has what, 15 Q200? That plane would work well on the IAH routes but they would need to find another 15 planes for IAH and hire another 120+ pilots and 80 flight attendants.

I honestly feel that the CAL expectations for Colgan in IAH with the Saabs in low. It makes up such a small % of the total CAL ops and Colgan would have to really screw up in order for CAL to make a change.

I think it is more of CAL does not want to make a change, Colgan is going to have to make them do a change.

But who really knows, we are all just as good as our current codeshare contract. For anyone to think their airlines flying contract is safe and secure, thats just not reality.

Try telling that to "pre 69 airframe" XJT pilots. Man, the arrogance sure was funny to listen to.

Im sensing some Bitterness from you lately..............you get bumped back to the right seat?

I sure hope CAL doesn't want to get rid of us, I feel a little less optomistic about CAL renewing the saab flying come this January than you do Juice. I know that we are or have been on probation with CAL over the saab flying.

CAL will renew the SAAB Agreement. Why?

It's pro-rate, Continental doesn't have to worry about anything other than people to run the ramp. Colgan runs it at-risk and CAL doesn't pay for anything

I heard the "old" (current) Q400's will go to IAH and the NexGen ones will go to EWR and will do runs to BOS and DCA and be like a Continental Shuttle. I believe the new NG Q400 will have 10 First class seats?