Should US Airways Buy Colgan and Merge with Piedmont

[FM2436]

Should US Airways make Pinnacle an offer to buy Colgan and merge Colgan's 31 Q400s into Piedmont Airlines? The below linked article reads like Pinnacle desires to shutdown Colgan's Q400 fleet b y November. Could be an interesting opportunity to bring some needed direction to Piedmont who could dominate the short-haul feeder markets in the northeast and mid-Atlantic region.

http://www.newsleader.com/article/20120403/NEWS01/120403006/Colgan-Air-parent-files-bankruptcy-asks-replacement-Shenandoah-Valley?odyssey=nav%7Chead

 

[ggiby]

Should US Airways make Pinnacle an offer to buy Colgan and merge Colgan's 31 Q400s into Piedmont Airlines? The below linked article reads like Pinnacle desires to shutdown Colgan's Q400 fleet b y November. Could be an interesting opportunity to bring some needed direction to Piedmont who could dominate the short-haul feeder markets in the northeast and mid-Atlantic region.

http://www.newsleader.com/article/20120403/NEWS01/120403006/Colgan-Air-parent-files-bankruptcy-asks-replacement-Shenandoah-Valley?odyssey=nav%7Chead

NO WAY...let them go... sorry.

 

[700UW]

Cant happen Pilots scope language doesnt allow the Q400 to be flown.

 

[737823]

Cant happen Pilots scope language doesnt allow the Q400 to be flown.

Maybe if US takes another trip to BK they could abrogate the CBA and impose pay rates!

Josh

 

[gabby]

What is the number of less than 70 seats are allows at the regionals? And now that PSA has converted their 70 seaters to 67 does that open the door to the q's going to piedmont? I've heard about scope language but can't find it in black n white.

 

[wings396]

I agree that it is crazy the Piedmont is restricted from having the Q-400. We have a variety of contract express carriers flying a mish-mosh of 50-76 seat Jets, and these poor guys can't have an updated version of the DH-8. I have worked with, and personally know several of the Piedmont crews, and I can say they are top-notch pilots. I would much prefer to fly with them in a Prop, instead of some of they youngsters that don't even shave yet commanding a Jet. This Scope needs to be addressed given what the other express operators are permitted to fly. I think that we all know that the 50-76 seat R/J's have done a hell of a lot more damage to mainline flying that the Props have. It's a shame that this group has been getting screwed for years because they are
owned by Airways...

 

[Ames]

Maybe if US takes another trip to BK they could abrogate the CBA and impose pay rates!

Josh

What a great idea! Take a profitable company, put it into Bk, screw its employees: Just to save a company already in BK. You should run for congress.

 

[cynic]

With first class, and 66-68 seats overall, wouldn't they be acceptable under the current scope?

 

[Art at ISP]

It would make economic sense to get the Q400's on property, which is a compelling reason why it won't happen (jk)...

Seriously, if the only reason they can't have them is for scope, then remove seats, add first class, and you should be okay. Piedmont would do very well with some Q400 flying.

Then again, and I am sorry to say, while no fan of management, I think labor needs to realize they need to change as well in order to survive today's different marketplace...and not just in the airline business.

I support fairness on BOTH sides of the equation--unfortunately there is too much greed on either side to make that possible.

 

[BoeingBoy]

The east scope language on turboprops allows nothing over 69 seats certificated capacity. Since the Q400 is certificated for more than that it is not allowed. I agree that allowing RJ's up to nearly 90 seats but not the Q400 is silly, former US management wanted and got changes to allow more and bigger RJ's but never asked for changes to allow bigger turboprops.

Jim

 

[AAviator]

Methinks they will find a home as Eagle ATR72 replacements...

 

[Art at ISP]

Is it me or does anyone else think the Q400 would make money ISP-CLT? The stage length is on the cusp of where block times would be similar to pure jets.

Not long ago, I had conversations with my contacts at UA/CO, and they said they thought ISP-CLE on the Q400 might work at some point, but who knows? And while we're at it, perhaps the Q400 would be a better fit for ISP-DCA in the long run....

 

[dash8roa]

I think the plan is to let piedmont die on the vine.With 3 dash's coming up on cycle limits next year and for years piedmont claims they have been looking for more dash's but have been unable to secure any.it appears the only part of piedmonts growth is in providing ground handling for other carriers.
Its cheaper to contract for regional lift than to provide cradle to the grave support than for an in house fleet.The combined fleet of allegheny and piedmont today is smaller than when piedmont operated alone in the early 2000's.
Too bad,some nice people there. 🙁

 

[Art at ISP]

Sad about Piedmont--very nice people, could be a great operation with the proper equipment and investment....could be another Horizon--oh wait--the AS team has vision and wants to actually run an airline.....but then I digress..

I wish you ALL the very best for a Happy Eastover.

 

[cynic]

I think the plan is to let piedmont die on the vine.With 3 dash's coming up on cycle limits next year and for years piedmont claims they have been looking for more dash's but have been unable to secure any.it appears the only part of piedmonts growth is in providing ground handling for other carriers.
Its cheaper to contract for regional lift than to provide cradle to the grave support than for an in house fleet.The combined fleet of allegheny and piedmont today is smaller than when piedmont operated alone in the early 2000's.
Too bad,some nice people there. 🙁

I tend to agree on all of that. It will be interesting to see how everything is resolved with the contracts expiring in 2015 and the desire to reduce/remove 50 seat RJs at that time.