Comments for Project 7 Alpha

Comment on Continental CEO will cancel flights before fines by Chip

Chip — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:30:44 +0000

Hi Ruben; how have you been? It is indeed refreshing to see the truth.

Comment on Continental CEO will cancel flights before fines by Ruben Alconero

Ruben Alconero — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:05 +0000

Awesome, glad at least one CEO has the spunk to say it how it is.

Comment on As predicted, airlines forced to cancel flights rather than risk fines by Continental CEO will cancel flights before fines | Project 7 Alpha

Continental CEO will cancel flights before fines | Project 7 Alpha — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:59:27 +0000

[...] according to the AP. Rather than say I told you so; I’ll let the CEO of Continental Airlines tell you in his own words. Smisek said many passengers [...]

Comment on As predicted, airlines forced to cancel flights rather than risk fines by Rick

Rick — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:04:05 +0000

One more thought….in my industry, which is a large segment in the consumer product area, a huge piece of out “consumer advocates” are very much connected to law firms. Dialing for dollars.

Comment on As predicted, airlines forced to cancel flights rather than risk fines by Rick

Rick — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 02:53:51 +0000

I did notice this news and thought what a disaster this is going to be in the future.

A major hurt locker for aviation in general this entire week. I was in the system in the northeast all week and I can’t tell you how lucky I was to have stuck to a strategy of mid-morning departure times. There is a lot to be said for it. At EWR this morning I commented to check-in how great I felt that everything was “on time”. She said to me “Yeah, but this is Newark”; I said back “Yeah, but it’s still the morning.” She said “Your right!” I know it was “severe clear” conditions, but she did share the same conventional wisdom had a lot of merit.

Very upsetting for GA this incident today in Austin. Can only speculate how this will lead to hysterical reaction by any number of different groups. Bad day for us.

Comment on NTSB final report: Colgan Air 3407 accident attributed to pilot error by Rick

Rick — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:49:31 +0000

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.

Comment on NTSB final report: Colgan Air 3407 accident attributed to pilot error by Chip

Chip — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:50:03 +0000

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.

Comment on NTSB final report: Colgan Air 3407 accident attributed to pilot error by Chip

Chip — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:21:23 +0000

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

Comment on NTSB final report: Colgan Air 3407 accident attributed to pilot error by Rick

Rick — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:31:52 +0000

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

Comment on NTSB final report: Colgan Air 3407 accident attributed to pilot error by Chip

Chip — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:10:59 +0000

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.