New Look at Turboprops

[FM2436]

An interesting read on turboprops. I found interesting the fuel burn, as mentioned on the second page, between the Q400 and the EMB 170. I'd love to see a bunch of Q400s and 300s flying under US Airways in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflas...5779_page_2.htm

 

[cynic]

An interesting read on turboprops. I found interesting the fuel burn, as mentioned on the second page, between the Q400 and the EMB 170. I'd love to see a bunch of Q400s and 300s flying under US Airways in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflas...5779_page_2.htm

Bombardier already announced that Q200/Q300 production will end in May 2009. As for US getting Q400s, mainline scope will prevent that.

 

[Travelpro72]

It has been quite some time but can someone explain the scope language briefly. Something that we soda can crackers can understand. From what I know we allow outside contract carriers to fly the E170/175 but a wholly owned like PSA or Piedmont can't fly the Q400? :blink:

 

[EMBFA]

Bingo. Anybody can fly an 86 seat jet with near transcon range, the same type we fly with a few less rows, but a 70 seat turboprop cannot be flown in-house.

 

[Travelpro72]

I was going to say that I can't believe it but ya know...I can. THIS is what keeps US from flying an ULTRA profitable aircraft around our short hops which are MANY. WOW...simply astounding. :blink:

 

[SolidCactus]

I think the Q400 is one of the best planes in the sky. I would gladly choose that plane over a CRJ.

 

[FM2436]

Bingo. Anybody can fly an 86 seat jet with near transcon range, the same type we fly with a few less rows, but a 70 seat turboprop cannot be flown in-house.

Are 70 or more seats the magic number which Piedmont can not fly? Then Piedmont could fly a 69 seat Q400 or a 69 seat ATR700; correct?

 

[DASH8AV8R]

Yes PDT could fly 69 seats, But Tempe said they will only buy Q's with 76 seats. If we could only operate 69 seaters it would have to be ATR 500.
By the way we already have rates on these A/C. But these rates expire in about 13 months.
Anyway Kirby said in the state of the airline no Q400's.

 

[Travelpro72]

I STILL don't understand why a contract carrier can fly a JET with 80+ seats but a wholly owned CANNOT fly the Q400. I think it's something that needs to be revisited if possible. Now THAT is a case of work rules and contract language that makes ya look....well really LAUGHABLE.

 

[cynic]

I STILL don't understand why a contract carrier can fly a JET with 80+ seats but a wholly owned CANNOT fly the Q400. I think it's something that needs to be revisited if possible. Now THAT is a case of work rules and contract language that makes ya look....well really LAUGHABLE.

The story is/was that when asked what it would take to allow Piedmont to allow fly Q400s, the east pilot group wanted their pensions reinstated.

 

[USA320Pilot]

The US Airways East pilot contract limits Express turboprop aircraft to have no more than 69 seats. Thus, the company is not permitted to fly the 76-seat Q400.

The Company needs to replace the aging Dash 8 fleet and considers Plan “Bâ€￾ the ATR, which it s currently able to fly.

Scope clause relief is being held hostage to the Nicolau Award and contract problems. The East pilots would not agree to a contract talks that would implement the Nicolau Award through a joint contract, thus, negotiations stopped during the representational election.

Now, it is still unclear how pilot contract negotiations will proceed, which could include the turboprop scope clause topic. Yesterday USAPA issued the following Officer message:

USAPA OFFICER MESSAGE - May 1, 2008

Fellow Pilots,

This morning USAPA President Stephen Bradford, Vice President Mike Cleary, Secretary Treasure Mark King and Negotiating Advisory Committee Consultant Doug Mowery met with senior management in Tempe AZ. Present for Management was CEO Doug Parker, President Scott Kirby, Chief Operating Officer Robert Isom, Senior Vice President Flight Operations/Inflight Ed Bular and Vice President Labor Relations Al Heminway. The 60 minute meeting in Tempe was the first time the two parties met, and talks were professional and businesslike. Although this was the first meeting between Management and USAPA as the new collective bargaining agent, many of our pilots have been down this path with no less than four management teams in the last seven years.

The meeting certainly provided an occasion to open channels of communications and afforded each party an opportunity to deliver a message. Although Management's message to USAPA expressed optimism and was forward looking now that the representational vote is completed, we know that what management says is not as important as what they do.

USAPA’s message to management was straightforward concerning pilot issues system-wide. There is an enormous amount of pilot energy here at US Airways which can be easily directed. US Airways management has an opportunity to motivate the employees in a positive direction and our message made them aware that addressing the pilots’ issues will be a key component. This, in turn, will produce positive effects for the Corporation and Management’s strategic plans. It will however take more than words to motivate our pilots. Actions truly do speak louder than words.

We look forward to seeing positive actions from Management in the very near future that support a motivated pilot work force; these will be the actions of a management who desires to create an airline that delivers a quality service to its customers.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[FM2436]

The story is/was that when asked what it would take to allow Piedmont to allow fly Q400s, the east pilot group wanted their pensions reinstated.

Then you'd have to say this doesn't blend well for the future of Piedmont Airlines and short-haul flying that is most common in the northeast and mid-Atlantic. Hello Colgan Airways.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

The Company needs to replace the aging Dash 8 fleet and considers Plan “Bâ€￾ the ATR, which it s currently able to fly.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

Doesn't the ATR's have trouble flying in cold weather?

 

[cynic]

Doesn't the ATR's have trouble flying in cold weather?

It's not just cold, it's humid and cold that creates the problems. There is an airline in Finland ( I believe) that has been flying them without issues. Then again, those are very different conditions than in the North East or Midwest. Allegedly, those problems have been resolved and is not a problem with the current -500 or upcoming -600 variant.

 

[necigrad]

The US Airways East pilot contract limits Express turboprop aircraft to have no more than 69 seats. Thus, the company is not permitted to fly the 76-seat Q400.

Why not have East pilots fly the Q400 then? There's nothing "stopping" the Company other then the Company.