UNSUBSTANTIATED RUMOR----E190's to be sold

[Poug Darker]

Dateline PHL - Mechanics witnessed a Republic Airlines representative "kicking the tires" and inspecting USAirways E190's in PHL in the past few days. The official who had flown into PHL from Republic's corporate headquarters, told mechanics that a total of 10 aircraft were to be transferred to Republic to serve in either their Midwest Airlines or Frontier Airlines subsidiaries and would be reconfigured to all-coach class seating.
Also mentioned during the inspection was the probability that USAirways, as part of the transaction, would be acquiring a number of Frontier Airline's Airbus fleet. The specific number of airframes was not disclosed. Also unknown is where the transferred Airbus aircraft would be placed in service with USAirways.
Aircraft transfers could begin as soon as January, buy exact dates are still unknown.

 

[CactUS Mech]

Dateline PHL - Mechanics witnessed a Republic Airlines representative "kicking the tires" and inspecting USAirways E190's in PHL in the past few days. The official who had flown into PHL from Republic's corporate headquarters, told mechanics that a total of 10 aircraft were to be transferred to Republic to serve in either their Midwest Airlines or Frontier Airlines subsidiaries and would be reconfigured to all-coach class seating.
Also mentioned during the inspection was the probability that USAirways, as part of the transaction, would be acquiring a number of Frontier Airline's Airbus fleet. The specific number of airframes was not disclosed. Also unknown is where the transferred Airbus aircraft would be placed in service with USAirways.
Aircraft transfers could begin as soon as January, buy exact dates are still unknown.

I think thats a Great move for both companies. US Airways saves money on Parts Labor and Training. Republic gets what they want.

 

[autofixer]

Republic employees have been dreaming of our E190s since the first one rolled onto the property. Who can blame them as they aquired our E170s and the jobs that went along with them from our wonderous management. We will see.

 

[FlyOnWall]

Dateline PHL - Mechanics witnessed a Republic Airlines representative "kicking the tires" and inspecting USAirways E190's in PHL in the past few days. The official who had flown into PHL from Republic's corporate headquarters, told mechanics that a total of 10 aircraft were to be transferred to Republic to serve in either their Midwest Airlines or Frontier Airlines subsidiaries and would be reconfigured to all-coach class seating.
Also mentioned during the inspection was the probability that USAirways, as part of the transaction, would be acquiring a number of Frontier Airline's Airbus fleet. The specific number of airframes was not disclosed. Also unknown is where the transferred Airbus aircraft would be placed in service with USAirways.
Aircraft transfers could begin as soon as January, buy exact dates are still unknown.

Hopefully this is not true. Why has US Airways been helping to build this competitor for years? They sold the original 25 Embraers to them and pay them guaranteed profits to fly a huge chunk of the network while US bleeds, and now will continue to do so while they operate two competing airlines.

Republic Airlines itself is flying as Midwest "Connect" while there will be no mainline Midwest- so they are operating an entire competing airline on the same certificate that flies for US. Is the US contract with Republic and the scope clauses so weak as to allow this?

I doubt US would keep a fleet of 15, IIRC last time Republic bought ten and leased the remaining.

Some questions from the story. Republic's Midwest E190 aircraft are dual class, not single class. Secondly, why would US want more A320s and add a third type of A320? I was under the impression that US has more than enough aircraft of that size. I'm also having trouble imagining US Airways mechanics in PHL having a long conversation with some guy from Republic.

Republic needs off the property and their hands off mainline planes... that is the first thing the unions should demand before any further contract discussions.

 

[VAflyGal]

Hopefully this is not true. Why has US Airways been helping to build this competitor for years? They sold the original 25 Embraers to them and pay them guaranteed profits to fly a huge chunk of the network while US bleeds, and now will continue to do so while they operate two competing airlines.

Republic Airlines itself is flying as Midwest "Connect" while there will be no mainline Midwest- so they are operating an entire competing airline on the same certificate that flies for US. Is the US contract with Republic and the scope clauses so weak as to allow this?

I doubt US would keep a fleet of 15, IIRC last time Republic bought ten and leased the remaining.

Some questions from the story. Republic's Midwest E190 aircraft are dual class, not single class. Secondly, why would US want more A320s and add a third type of A320? I was under the impression that US has more than enough aircraft of that size. I'm also having trouble imagining US Airways mechanics in PHL having a long conversation with some guy from Republic.

Republic needs off the property and their hands off mainline planes... that is the first thing the unions should demand before any further contract discussions.

This makes me sick if this is true.

 

[flyer63]

OF course they are going to sell the 190's. The minuted they started yapping about it you knew it was going to happen.

Does not surprise me at all....

Dougie and his boy wonder arrogant K

 

[luvn737s]

I think you are all missing the much more important question: How will this affect the 330 Captains? 😀

 

[flybynite]

I think you are all missing the much more important question: How will this affect the 330 Captains? 😀

Oh please, don't start..........

 

[flybynite]

Dateline PHL - Mechanics witnessed a Republic Airlines representative "kicking the tires" and inspecting USAirways E190's in PHL in the past few days. The official who had flown into PHL from Republic's corporate headquarters, told mechanics that a total of 10 aircraft were to be transferred to Republic to serve in either their Midwest Airlines or Frontier Airlines subsidiaries and would be reconfigured to all-coach class seating.
Also mentioned during the inspection was the probability that USAirways, as part of the transaction, would be acquiring a number of Frontier Airline's Airbus fleet. The specific number of airframes was not disclosed. Also unknown is where the transferred Airbus aircraft would be placed in service with USAirways.
Aircraft transfers could begin as soon as January, buy exact dates are still unknown.

Would those be 319's or 320's?

I'd take the Airbus over the E-190 anyday.

 

[N903AW]

Would those be 319's or 320's?

I'd take the Airbus over the E-190 anyday.

I think Frontier also has eight or nine Airbus 318's in their fleet, too.

 

[Glucose Intolerant]

I think you are all missing the much more important question: How will this affect the 330 Captains? 😀

It doesn't......Period.

 

[FlyOnWall]

Would those be 319's or 320's?

I'd take the Airbus over the E-190 anyday.

Well, you wouldn't be 'taking' one over the other. If an Airbus joined the fleet it would be to replace an existing identical aircraft that is counted as part of the minimum fleet. No gain.

The E190s are outside the minimum fleet count, so like the 170s did, provide additional pilot, flight attendant, and mechanic jobs to mainline employees. If they go, more of your co-workers hit the street. A more direct affect, probably the only one you care about, is that everyone remaining shuffles down the seniority list that much more.

The flying that was previously done by the E190, you know, 'commuter crap' like Dallas and Punta Cana or our hourly Boston service, would most likely go to Republic's E175 which is an identical aircraft except with a slight capacity decrease and more range. There are other rumors of US putting a first class cabin on the Republic planes.

So what are you 'taking' here, how and where would this benefit you or any other US Airways flight attendant in any way, shape, or form?

 

[flybynite]

Well, you wouldn't be 'taking' one over the other. If an Airbus joined the fleet it would be to replace an existing identical aircraft that is counted as part of the minimum fleet. No gain.

The E190s are outside the minimum fleet count, so like the 170s did, provide additional pilot, flight attendant, and mechanic jobs to mainline employees. If they go, more of your co-workers hit the street. A more direct affect, probably the only one you care about, is that everyone remaining shuffles down the seniority list that much more.

The flying that was previously done by the E190, you know, 'commuter crap' like Dallas and Punta Cana or our hourly Boston service, would most likely go to Republic's E175 which is an identical aircraft except with a slight capacity decrease and more range. There are other rumors of US putting a first class cabin on the Republic planes.

So what are you 'taking' here, how and where would this benefit you or any other US Airways flight attendant in any way, shape, or form?

The E-190 is only certified for 2 f/a's. The Airbus is certified for 3 f/a's. Yes it makes a difference.

 

[FlyOnWall]

The E-190 is only certified for 2 f/a's. The Airbus is certified for 3 f/a's. Yes it makes a difference.

Are you serious? Do you understand the concept of the minimum fleet count whatsoever? Do you have any awareness of your industry and position outside of counting Pringles?

Let me explain it the way I would to a child.

Let's say US Airways has ten Airbuses. They have to have at least ten Airbuses or they will get in trouble.

US Airways also has 5 Embraers.

Each Airbus employs three F/As. So there's thirty F/As.

Each Embraer employs 2 F/As. So there's 10 F/As.

If you add together the Airbuses and the Embraers, how many F/As does US Airways have?

If US Airways takes 2 Airbuses away and 10 Embraers away, and adds 2 Airbuses, how many F/As does US Airways have?

🙄

 

[gizmo_sc]

Official announcement will be OCT 5th.