Unless you are a Uconn Huskie

 

I understand what you are saying. ASA has more than just crj200's. And just like any regional carrier, they are quite purposeful in the network of how an airline currently operates. They do the trick and fill up the bigger airplanes. Like I said, they will cut flying here and there. But I don't see Delta just terminating a regional carriers contract when that airline operates 900 flights per day for them. That's quite a bit of flying.

 

That's the way I see it. I couldn't run an airline and if I notice the problem and see a solution, then chances are they see the problem and have more solutions than I could imagine. Gotta be some reason for the staffing issues.

 

ASA flies in ATL, our stats would all suck that bad if we were flying out of that airport. PNCL does not have the easiest airports anymore either. We used to be MEM DTW MSP and it was great - no ground stops - no holding, just an occasional hiccup. Now we have JFK and ATL as well and we also have a major operation in the northeast brewing which does not bode well for on time stuff. The way that it is set up, either ASA or PNCL could have their flying reduced at anytime. All of these 50 seat planes need to be replaced with q400's and Crj 700 and 900's yesterday. I wish delta could just order a bunch of those planes and put them at mainline and offer a flow to an interview type situation for DCI carriers. That way you get a chance to get an interview - but Delta still gets to pick who they want. Then as the regional contracts expire just dont renew them and you are left with one airline going forward. Is that my alarm clock, i knew i was dreaming...........

 

just some facts, as of 3/25/11:

-Asa is number 4 out of 9 carriers in terms of completion factor (including mainline) for the month of March
- Yesterday...we were # 5,4,and 3 for D0, A14,and Completion factor

As understaffed as we might be, i think the bigger problem is mx. Not the mx people themselves, but just the general overworking of the aircraft and again, the lack of spares.

 

i agree with the thought of getting more efficient aircraft. Someone who has flown the Q400....tell me....does the public really fear flying the props anymore?? I think this is an old thought process and has no real evidence anymore. No one looks at what kind of plane they are flying when they book their $99 flight. As long as its cheap, safe, air conditioned, and serves a coke....i dont think people care.....

 

Personally I don't think the public cares how they get from one city to another. The issue is people don't like the discomfort they experience in the current turboprops. SAAB's are loud. Hot in summer Cold in winter without any overhead storage.

If passengers could have a stand up cabin with overhead bins and an APU (like a Q of some size)...I don't think they would have a problem. I think putting 12 1st class seats in a Q400 and the rest are regular seats, I think Delta could be sold on the Q's.

But since when has making sense been a criteria for the airline business.

 

Flew the Q400 for a few years at Horizon, for the most part passengers seemed to like it. Really depends on stage length though. The biggest problem with that airframe is reliability. Horizon had top-notch, in house maintenance and 98% dispatch rate was about the best I ever saw, some months substantially lower....

 

I'll fly this prop:

Google Image Result for http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/attachment.php?attachmentid=102207&stc=1&d=1273340 168

 

This isn't a put down, but I heard a rumor that Horizon had their own mechanics at every single station because of MX problems. Not contract maintenance, but one of their own, is this true?