The 400 rumor has been around as long as I've been at PDT. The original problem was scope. US Air scope prevented PDT from operating the 400 (pre-bankruptcy).
US Air could have been the US launch customer for the Q400 and would have got a killer deal on their initial order ($10 mil each). Scope prevented that from happening and Horizon was able to cash in.
The current problem would be the manufacturing back log. Unless a new production line is opened up, there will continue to be a 2 year back log. Horizon is hiring to staff their next 20 Q400 orders, but due to manufacturing delays, they get the aircraft with little notice. This is causing new hire class delays and extended reserve time for the new hires.
Yes, the Q400 would be nice, but as Parker said, our East Coast route structure doesn't make a good fit for operating the Q400. All the old long haul Dash 8 routes have been taken over by the RJs. As for the Western longer haul routes, Mesa has an exclusivity clause in their contract with America West to be the sole express operator out of PHX until 2013.
We need new equipment, our fleet is getting very tired. We expect to hear this week about the loss of the -8-200s and their expected replacement aircraft. Right now it looks like PDT is trying to locate some more worn out -8-100 models to help cover the 10 aircraft we will be losing.
$$$$$ is the bottom line and unfortunately we will pay the price by continuing to operate yesterdays technology into tomorrow.
