No way Texarkana, we used to do that in the Saab and never had more than 5 people. Don't forget to throw in Pensacola and Monterey Mexico, I think there were a few Mexico destination they were looking at .

 

I personally find it hard to get excited about this announcement. If we could remember the Q400s should already be in IAH. Don't believe it until they are parked on the pavement. Probably just more management tactics to keep us all content enough while they are screwing with us behind this curtain!

 

They may just reposition the planes amongst EWR and IAH. Saabs (the Colgan Air schemed ones) are brought back and forth between the northeast and IAH quite often.

 

ASPEN from HOU on a Q... impressive

 

I agree, plus where's my contract? We still don't have that also.

 

This statement is one reason why so many people have anger towards Colgan pilots.

We have had a union on property for less than 2 year and in contract negotiations for less than 1 year. Now we are in the fortunate position to negotiate a joint CBA with PNCL/MSA and use Mesaba's strong contact as a starting point with the plan to build on what they have. The Colgan pilots will get a contract that is far better than we could have ever hoped for.

Pinnacle pilots have been turning profits for years and still waiting on a contract, now going on 6 years amendable. Mesaba has a strong contract but one that is concessionary in many ways (still strong). And then there is us, Colgan pilots, ALPA for a few years and upset because we still do not have any more cheese after being at the table for 10 months.

Colgan pilots need to realize that we are making out very well on this deal and at the end of the day will be part of a near 3000+ pilot group, higher pay rates and work rules, and down the road we will all have access to new flying in locations that will improve our QOL.

Also Blackbird, were you on the pilot conference call yesterday? There was a briefing on contract negotiations and plans but only 17 pilots bothered to take the time to get involved and educate themselves on what is going on. That is 17 out of almost 500 pilots! Sad and embarrassing.

rant over

 

Very good point about the lack of participation by our pilot group, but it has always been this way here and doubt if it will change very soon. Takes a couple of generations to make a paradigm change.
I do have to say that I will be very, very surprised if the pilot group stabilizes at 3000+...My guess would be HALF. My logic? SAABs are on the way out just like the 1900 went out, just at a slower pace. EAS flying will be around for the time being, but all the indications are that the PNCL Corp. strategic business plan centers around only TWO fleet types. CRJ-900s on PNCL and Q-400s at Colgan. Perhaps as many as 75 in each fleet, and that is going to be it come 2016 or so would be my guess.
PNCL is doing the same thing that Delta is doing with COMAIR, they are just doing it in a different manner...consolidation. And, there is going to be a A LOT more of it. The economy is still anemic, and is even showing signs of an even deeper recession. Fuel costs are only going to go UP, and that is without even considering any unforeseen geopolitical events.
The only real hope is that after 2012 when the pilots that got a reprieve on the age 60 thing begin to retire at 65. The legacy carriers will be forced to hire for attrition and a year later will see the implementation of the ATP requirement and in 2012 all airlines will be required to establish AQP/CQP programs and SMS will likely become mandatory from our insurance underwriters.
We are living thru a very dynamic time in our industry if not in our nation as a whole. Hopefully, the right people are making the right decisions and we will be gainfully employed.

Regards...

 

I heard that the reason CAL put the new Qs in EWR was because of poor performance. I believe that was a BS tactic by management in hopes of motivating the pilot group. The real reason the Qs weren't sent to IAH as planed is simple, there was no place to put them. Now that the walk through from A North to South is in place and United is out of A, and with the new set up the Saabs are getting there is actually gates to put the Q400s in. It was just a scare tactic. They are coming to IAH.

 

Is there a way to listen afterwards. I wanted to call in but I was working.

 

As was I... and then extended... ain't life grand.