Scope and Q400's
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Dash Trash
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Not if they're going to be flown on the east coast.
A320 Driver
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It's going to be difficult to get scope relief with the current pay parity issue going on. I'm not sure the Nic award would have any bearing, but no one is in any mood to open up sections of the contract to provide the necessary relief to put the Q400s in service.
Sad part is, the company needs those aircraft at Piedmont now. Not sure how this might be addressed.
A320 Driver B)
SegmentKing
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isn't it a weight issue? Max Takeoff Weight?
Flying Titan
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While the Q400 seems like an excellent aircraft, don't Q200s and Q300s actually make more sense for US Airways? I pose this question given the airline's current commitment to the new E170s and 175s along with more CR7s and CR9s in the mix - also some of the 50-seat RJs are being phased out.
Seems to me that many of the markets that actually need the planes that would be replacing old Piedmont props aren't really suited to a plane as large as the Q400, either. If US goes with the Q300, then there are no scope issues. Problem solved.
Seems to me that many of the markets that actually need the planes that would be replacing old Piedmont props aren't really suited to a plane as large as the Q400, either. If US goes with the Q300, then there are no scope issues. Problem solved.
USstew23
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Good idea, put all the Q400's at EN where they belong and put ALL of the 170's and 175's at mainline where they belong and have an F cabin in them. Putting the latter aside til later why can't the pilots push for that??? Wouldn't it kind of address this stupid award because it would add about 60 airplanes to the mainline cert. at the same time the EMB's would be a common fleet taking back the flying of the 737-200, F100, and DC-9. Wishful thinking but that would sure be nice if something like that could happen. JS with the CRJ and CR7, EN with DH8 fleet, ZW with CRJ200 and Colgan with their B1900's and SF3's.
Air Canada mainline flies 175s and 190s. JetBlue mainline flies 190s.
US Airways was the first in North America to fly them, and they flew 170s as mainline operating as express... Letting the cat out of the bag for others.
Northwest is mirroring the MidAtlantic idea, since our old management is there, with a subsidiary called Compass operating 175s. You could arguably consider that in-sourcing since they are at least operated by mainline employees, and are replacing Mesaba Avro85s.
The ONLY regional at all flying them is Republic (Shuttle America is the same thing), for US, United, Delta, and Frontier.
US is the only airline allowing 175s to be flown by Express. That's why Republic had to start another certificate for the US operation, so as not to interefere with scope clauses with it's other partners who prohibit an affiliate operating anything larger than 70 seats, even for another carrier.
The EMB family is the smaller end of mainline flying, performing mainline missions that shouldn't be trusted to a commuter. These are in US Airways bread and butter markets. Having mainline and an affiliate operate essentially the same airplane is operationally inefficient, confusing to the customer, and just plain retarded.
The Q400s are great airplanes and should be the backbone of the Express fleet. They break even at half-full. They are a great replacement for all of those 50 seat jets. Also didn't realize the ATR had such low costs, it seems like it would be heavier than the Q series.
If management wants them that badly they should have to negotiate- time to give back!
US Airways was the first in North America to fly them, and they flew 170s as mainline operating as express... Letting the cat out of the bag for others.
Northwest is mirroring the MidAtlantic idea, since our old management is there, with a subsidiary called Compass operating 175s. You could arguably consider that in-sourcing since they are at least operated by mainline employees, and are replacing Mesaba Avro85s.
The ONLY regional at all flying them is Republic (Shuttle America is the same thing), for US, United, Delta, and Frontier.
US is the only airline allowing 175s to be flown by Express. That's why Republic had to start another certificate for the US operation, so as not to interefere with scope clauses with it's other partners who prohibit an affiliate operating anything larger than 70 seats, even for another carrier.
The EMB family is the smaller end of mainline flying, performing mainline missions that shouldn't be trusted to a commuter. These are in US Airways bread and butter markets. Having mainline and an affiliate operate essentially the same airplane is operationally inefficient, confusing to the customer, and just plain retarded.
The Q400s are great airplanes and should be the backbone of the Express fleet. They break even at half-full. They are a great replacement for all of those 50 seat jets. Also didn't realize the ATR had such low costs, it seems like it would be heavier than the Q series.
If management wants them that badly they should have to negotiate- time to give back!
Art at ISP
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If I am not mistaken, new FAA requirements for congested airports have higher average seat capacities--for example I think airlines are rushing to get 50 seaters and less OUT of places like LGA due to these new requirements. In such cases I believe the Q400 would be ideal.
Also, the cruise speed of the Q400 is significantly higher than the other Dash series, and for short stage lengths its block times are similar to jets, but at a fraction of the cost. This might enable the company to offer slightly higher pay in exchange for using this type--they can save money even paying more to thre crews.
Just an idea.....
Also, the cruise speed of the Q400 is significantly higher than the other Dash series, and for short stage lengths its block times are similar to jets, but at a fraction of the cost. This might enable the company to offer slightly higher pay in exchange for using this type--they can save money even paying more to thre crews.
Just an idea.....
USstew23
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Sing it sister!!! Republic (nothing against their employees) is flying these airplanes from PHL and DCA to DFW, IAH, MCI, STL, MSP, etc. These are for the most part long flights that are operated on larger planes (with cramped quarters) that should be mainline with a premium cabin. Having express flying certain routes into the smaller places is one thing but this has gotten out of control
Dont call me Shirley
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I've never seen an explanation of why US ALPA agreed to a scope clause that allows affiliate carrier to fly 90 seat jest but not for a wholly owned to fly 70 turboprops.
BoeingBoy
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I certainly was never at the negotiating table, but never heard anything about the company wanting relief on the turboprop scope (which goes back long enough that a 50 seat turboprop was considered big). Starting with Wolf, each successive management team has wanted more/bigger RJ's, though. The latest, increasing size to 86 from 72 seats, was an expansion in the number already contained in the West pilot CBA - Mesa already flew the CRJ-900's for HP prior to the merger announcement.
Jim
The problem is the Q300's lease quotes are as much as an EMB190. Piedmont was looking at 3 "whitetailed" Q300's in Quebec City this past spring and that is what Piedmont was quoted. That is per Bob Martens, President of Express. Economically it makes sense to see if you can get new planes on the property.
