What aircraft is needed at Piedmont? - Page 3 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#21

TransWorld , 03-21-2023 07:46 PM

Gets Everyday Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by FM2436

Seriously. What are American Airlines' and Piedmont's plans for a permanent replacement aircraft for their worn out ERJ145? Next, is Piedmont going to be given Envoy's worn out EMB175s?
As the only remaining manufacturer of a regional aircraft seating fewer than 100 PAX, Embraer delivered worldwide only 33 EMB170/190 series aircraft in 2022. Within 3-4 years, a dedicated aircraft order must to be announced or Piedmont will cease to exist.

The Coming Airliner "Shortage" - The Rising Air Service Bar (rumble.com)

I will reiterate what I have said the last several years.

50 seat are going bye-bye. Some EAS communities will lose service, and go back to shuttle vans. There are some places for some specialty airlines, but not so much.

They will be up gauged to 76 seat, fewer times per day. Some more 76 seat planes will be manufactured (E175s).

The 76 seat planes will be up gauged to A320 series, B737, and certainly A220, fewer times per day.

More PAX per pilots helps to compensate for the pilot shortfall.

Some areas I agree with him, some I slightly diverge.

#22

cr700 , 03-22-2023 04:28 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Old Tired

Wow, seriously? Piedmont pilots had ZERO trouble learning the E145 and now they are widely considered the most effective and efficient operator of the aircraft. Piedmont pilots can fly the heck out of that plane and do so safely and comfortably for AA's customers. Not sure why you think they won't be able to do it on the E175.

I think Piedmont pilots will do just fine. You on the other hand, not so sure.

PDT will fly out the 145s to the end of their life and then be integrated into Envoy. No need to certify the 175 on the PDT certificate when it's already proven on the Envoy side. Already a done deal.

#23

TransWorld , 03-22-2023 06:17 PM

Gets Everyday Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by cr700

PDT will fly out the 145s to the end of their life and then be integrated into Envoy. No need to certify the 175 on the PDT certificate when it's already proven on the Envoy side. Already a done deal.

I agree with you.

#24

tallpilot , 03-22-2023 07:23 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by cr700

Sounds reasonable to me. Whipsaw is no longer suppressing wages so why maintain multiple certificates and the overhead that goes with them? Wait a few more years to minimize the morale fallout but the outcome seems inevitable barring a economic downturn that stops the hiring wave.

#25

iaveight , 07-29-2023 12:16 PM

Line Holder

No prop

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otterbox

Well, Piedmont management is really excited about the Embraer next gen prop regional concept. But AA has been replacing PDT routes with bus service…

you said this before, no next gen prop is being developed. You my friend are a serial liar.

#26

Otterbox , 07-29-2023 01:36 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by iaveight

you said this before, no next gen prop is being developed. You my friend are a serial liar.

From your post history, it looks like those statements by PDT management were before you hit the line (After the August 2021 Design update, which basically made the thing a 145 with props). The program wasn’t suspended then.

Without a 145 follow on, Piedmont will likely cease to exist in its current form once the last 145s are gone. The only real thing of value Piedmont brings to AAG is the ground handling side of the house. They can shut down the flight department or merge it with PSA if they really wanted to and there wouldn’t be much effect on AAGs operations.

#27

TransWorld , 07-29-2023 06:56 PM

Gets Everyday Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otterbox

I think it would be easier for them to be merged into Envoy. Just my two cents worth.

#28

iaveight , 08-14-2023 11:24 PM

Line Holder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otterbox

There's no cost advantage for AA to give Piedmont 175s. It screwed away the Dash 8 to 145 transition so badly that AA doesn't trust its management team to bring another type onboard which is why they scrapped the plan to give Piedmont 170s as a follow-on to the 145 back around 2018. Will that change? Maybe, but highly unlikely it will be any time soon. There's still life left on Envoys 145s and they can keep Piedmont busy for the next 5 years.

What happens when all of the 145s are gone? Could be anything, including the following:
1) Piedmont flight department is shut down and the company continues to exist on the ground handling side of the house to maintain cost efficiencies against Envoy ground handling.
2) Piedmont is merged with PSA and operates CRJs
4) Piedmont shrinks and takes the small number 170s it was supposed to get a decade earlier.
3) AA orders replacement aircraft for the 145 and sends them to Piedmont. In 2021, Management was very excited about Embraer's Next Generation turbo prop that looks like a 145 and is designed to replace the Dash-8. Timing works out for potential replacement as the 145s time out but new planes cost money and anyone who has been to Piedmont knows that operating the latest and greatest of anything is not in it's MO. Piedmont is AAGs bastard child that survives by being the cheapest of the three AA Wholly Owned airlines.

why do you keep waffling on about an aircraft that isn’t being designed? There is no next gen turbo prop currently from EMB.

#29

Otterbox , 08-15-2023 01:43 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by iaveight

why do you keep waffling on about an aircraft that isn’t being designed? There is no next gen turbo prop currently from EMB.

There was for a period of time, and PDT management in SBY wanted it. There isn’t now, which is too bad because then maybe they wouldn’t have as many fuel planning issues and unplanned diversions into Air Force bases with it. Now that the future aircraft is off the table, there’s no plan for Piedmont flight department to operate after the 145 is gone.

#30

APCHCLIMB , 08-15-2023 12:31 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otterbox

Bra, for reelz? You still bitter at this place? It’s a POS fifty seat regional. It’ll go the way of the Dodo in good time. Enjoy your time at your legacy. F this place.