Comments on: NTSB final report: Colgan Air 3407 accident attributed to pilot error http://project7alpha.com/2010/02/ntsb-final-report-colgan-air-3407-accident-attributed-to-pilot-error/ American Airlines in Burma 1942 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:47:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Rick http://project7alpha.com/2010/02/ntsb-final-report-colgan-air-3407-accident-attributed-to-pilot-error/comment-page-1/#comment-413 Rick Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:49:31 +0000 http://project7alpha.com/?p=1256#comment-413 Chip, I think you will find this interesting reading. Pinnacle's last 10Q. http://biz.yahoo.com/e/091103/pncl10-q.html This Q400 thing I first noticed in Montreal (duuhh...Bombadier). It has really getting traction up there. Chip,
I think you will find this interesting reading. Pinnacle’s last 10Q.

http://biz.yahoo.com/e/091103/pncl10-q.html

This Q400 thing I first noticed in Montreal (duuhh…Bombadier). It has really getting traction up there.

]]> By: Chip http://project7alpha.com/2010/02/ntsb-final-report-colgan-air-3407-accident-attributed-to-pilot-error/comment-page-1/#comment-412 Chip Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:50:03 +0000 http://project7alpha.com/?p=1256#comment-412 Rick; One caveat; if they get the geared fan on line and it performs as advertised it will effect the impact of the Q-400. But; right now I think it is the best machine out there for the thin markets. And I'm an old fighter guy. what a concept make money with your feed instead of bleed. Rick;
One caveat; if they get the geared fan on line and it performs as advertised it will effect the impact of the Q-400. But; right now I think it is the best machine out there for the thin markets. And I’m an old fighter guy. what a concept make money with your feed instead of bleed.

]]> By: Chip http://project7alpha.com/2010/02/ntsb-final-report-colgan-air-3407-accident-attributed-to-pilot-error/comment-page-1/#comment-411 Chip Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:21:23 +0000 http://project7alpha.com/?p=1256#comment-411 Rick; I agree 100%. In fact I have stated that the first legacy airline that can put the hatred for their own employees aside and bring this aircraft to the mainline will win. The Q-400 can carry 60+ dual class pax. The block time for any distance less than 400 miles is the same as a jet for much less fuel burn. They are also working on a 90 seater. This aircraft is 100 knots faster then a dash 8. I think it is a fantastic machine. chip Rick;
I agree 100%. In fact I have stated that the first legacy airline that can put the hatred for their own employees aside and bring this aircraft to the mainline will win. The Q-400 can carry 60+ dual class pax. The block time for any distance less than 400 miles is the same as a jet for much less fuel burn. They are also working on a 90 seater. This aircraft is 100 knots faster then a dash 8. I think it is a fantastic machine. chip

]]> By: Rick http://project7alpha.com/2010/02/ntsb-final-report-colgan-air-3407-accident-attributed-to-pilot-error/comment-page-1/#comment-410 Rick Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:31:52 +0000 http://project7alpha.com/?p=1256#comment-410 Chip, One other thing I'm noticing....and I'm not sure it's relevant to this conversation...but it's the rush to turboprop Q400's in regionals and in GA the incredible success of the Pilatus PC12. These new turboprops are definitely having an impact. I personally like the short field capability, but they're also very economical. I think a trend worth noting. When I was doing due diligence on a corporate aircraft, I had to come down for the PC12. I think it will be just as compelling an argument for the Q400. Would appreciate your thoughts sometime on this subject. Rick Chip, One other thing I’m noticing….and I’m not sure it’s relevant to this conversation…but it’s the rush to turboprop Q400′s in regionals and in GA the incredible success of the Pilatus PC12. These new turboprops are definitely having an impact. I personally like the short field capability, but they’re also very economical. I think a trend worth noting.
When I was doing due diligence on a corporate aircraft, I had to come down for the PC12. I think it will be just as compelling an argument for the Q400. Would appreciate your thoughts sometime on this subject.
Rick

]]> By: Chip http://project7alpha.com/2010/02/ntsb-final-report-colgan-air-3407-accident-attributed-to-pilot-error/comment-page-1/#comment-408 Chip Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:10:59 +0000 http://project7alpha.com/?p=1256#comment-408 Rick; Concur. I'm afraid what will engage the market forces is that there will be a severe shortage of pilots. Supply and demand will kick in and the highest bidder will get the pilots. If I held stock in a regional I'd dump it. AA has been in contract negotiations for over 3 years. After our pay cuts in 2003 we have been working for 1992 pay rates. Most of the guys I know have side gigs; obviously I do. I have also noticed a trend in retirements at AA. Senior FO's that have hit 50 are starting to leave for greener pastures. Rick;
Concur. I’m afraid what will engage the market forces is that there will be a severe shortage of pilots. Supply and demand will kick in and the highest bidder will get the pilots. If I held stock in a regional I’d dump it.

AA has been in contract negotiations for over 3 years. After our pay cuts in 2003 we have been working for 1992 pay rates. Most of the guys I know have side gigs; obviously I do. I have also noticed a trend in retirements at AA. Senior FO’s that have hit 50 are starting to leave for greener pastures.

]]> By: Rick http://project7alpha.com/2010/02/ntsb-final-report-colgan-air-3407-accident-attributed-to-pilot-error/comment-page-1/#comment-405 Rick Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:07:51 +0000 http://project7alpha.com/?p=1256#comment-405 It is interesting to see that Pinnacle Airlines Corp (PNCL), a publically traded company, is at the center of a lot of this. Not only do they own Colgan, they own a number of other regional carriers. They've been negotiating with the ALPA since 2005 and still don't have an agreement acceptable to the pilots. They have a policy of paying "industry average". I think that will inevitably change. They are public, and have a significant obligation to shareholders to maximize shareholder value. If they're not competitive in hiring, change will be forced upon them. Now they're moving their HQ from Mannassas, VA to Memphis, where they'll be looking with 20/20 vision at FEDEX. That will be interesting. I just believe market forces sooner or later will come into play. At least I hope they do. It is interesting to see that Pinnacle Airlines Corp (PNCL), a publically traded company, is at the center of a lot of this. Not only do they own Colgan, they own a number of other regional carriers. They’ve been negotiating with the ALPA since 2005 and still don’t have an agreement acceptable to the pilots. They have a policy of paying “industry average”. I think that will inevitably change. They are public, and have a significant obligation to shareholders to maximize shareholder value. If they’re not competitive in hiring, change will be forced upon them.
Now they’re moving their HQ from Mannassas, VA to Memphis, where they’ll be looking with 20/20 vision at FEDEX. That will be interesting. I just believe market forces sooner or later will come into play. At least I hope they do.

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