Question: Rj History

[ITRADE]

Thanks for everyone's comments. It's all very helpful.

Here's another question for folks: It's my impression that the kinds of affiliations and constellations of mainline and RJ/commuter/turboprop arrangements of subsidiaries and codeshares and subcontracts (like the 473 or so different carriers under US Airways Group ) was something that really didn't take off until airlines were feeling the competitive pressures that arose after deregulation.

Am I on target here? What's your take on the timeframe of that seachange in the industry?

In solidarity,
Airlineorphan

That does theoretically make sense. Pre-deregualtion - all fares were set and most all airlines could essentially guarantee fair to good revenues. As such, with the fares in place, airlines were much more likely to fly to destinations with small O/D levels and still be able to turn a profit.

After deregulation, airlines were quick to recognize that cities like ROA and CHO could not support multiple flights utilizing 737s and 727s, and they were slowly downsized and fed off to the partner airlines.

Now, one thing does intrigue me, and some of you old timer US/Allegheny times might be able to shed some light.

I found a couple pictures over on www.airliners.net that show pics of Beech 99 commuter aircraft flown by Allegheny Commuter. The photos were from the early 1970s. Anybody have info on this airline, where it flew, what it wound up becoming????

This airline may have dispelled the notion that the advent of commuter affiliates was not until deregulation.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/180273/M/

 

[OldpropGuy]

I found a couple pictures over on www.airliners.net that show pics of Beech 99 commuter aircraft flown by Allegheny Commuter. The photos were from the early 1970s. Anybody have info on this airline, where it flew, what it wound up becoming????

This airline may have dispelled the notion that the advent of commuter affiliates was not until deregulation.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/180273/M/

That would have been Henson which is now Piedmont, at least until Siegel finishes it off.

From: Piedmont Airlines History

"In 1967, Henson Aviation joined with the former Allegheny Airlines (now US Airways) to become the leader in forming the first "code share" affiliation that now dominates the airline industry worldwide. Operating as Allegheny Commuter, Henson Aviation purchased and operated its first turbo-prop aircraft, the Beech 99. One year later, Henson replaced Allegheny service at Salisbury, Maryland, the site of today’s headquarters. A route structure to Washington National, Philadelphia and Baltimore was developed, and continues to this day."