Houston- Skywest & Corporate

av8trxx · January 21st, 2005, 17:44

What's up with OO in Houston? I heard Corporate is now taking on the Continental Express flying.

Alchemy · January 21st, 2005, 18:11

Colgan's taking the flying. Apparantly Continental wanted more capacity on the turboprop routes in the form of Saabs, which skywest does not have.

8LegDay · January 21st, 2005, 20:12

CAL wanted bigger turboprops with up to 50 pax capacity - someone said they are missing CoEx ATRs - and SkyWest simply doesn't have them. I heard a finance guy from CAL say that everything inside 250 miles from IAH will be given to props.
We had a lot of talking about Q400 over the past 2 years but nothing materialized. The management is convinced the prop flying is not worth the 4th type.

Colgan underbid us by 500K/year..
10 Saabs 340 and 10 Saabs 2000, 5 year contract. We had a 5 year contract too but look at us go after a year and a half!

Good luck Colgan Air. Sincerely.

av8trxx · January 22nd, 2005, 00:21

[ QUOTE ]
CAL wanted bigger turboprops with up to 50 pax capacity...Colgan underbid us by 500K/year..
10 Saabs 340 and 10 Saabs 2000, 5 year contract. We had a 5 year contract too but look at us go after a year and a half!
Good luck Colgan Air. Sincerely.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm. They will never get 34 people on a SF3. Not unless they have 370LBs of bags! Literally. Now the Saab 2000- that is one #### hot bird! Dang...maybe I'll go to Colgan to fly that!

Here's more news:

New carrier will take over flights
SkyWest will be replaced by Colgant in Abilene

By Thaddeus DeJesus / Reporter-News Staff Writer
January 21, 2005

Airline officials confirmed late Thursday that a new carrier will fly on behalf of Continental Connection at the Abilene Regional Airport and other Texas airports.

Beginning March 2, Colgan Air will take over routes serviced by SkyWest Airlines in Texas and Louisiana. Air service will continue as usual, despite the change in contractors, Continental Airlines spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said. Colgan will honor tickets purchased for future SkyWest flights from Abilene.

Continental Connection, a subsidiary of Houston-based Continental Airlines, hires other companies to handle part of its regional airline service. Johnson said SkyWest's contract was up for renewal and placed for bid in November. He declined to say how much the contract is worth.

Management for Manassas, Va.-based, Colgan Air could not be reached for comment Thursday.

SkyWest spokeswoman Sabrena Suite said the company lost the bid because Continental was interested in adding more passenger capacity via turboprop airplanes. That meant either adding seats to its existing fleet of small planes or adding new planes to the fleet. Neither option was feasible for the company, she said.

SkyWest's Texas fleet consists of 30-seat turboprops. Colgan will bring to Texas comparable planes, Johnson said. According to Colgan's Web site, that airline's comparably sized plane is a 34-seat turboprop.

It is unclear what will happen to SkyWest's ground crew, which consists of about a dozen people.

If past experience is any indication, Colgan may follow SkyWest's lead when it entered into the Abilene market in 2003. SkyWest brought in its own management team, but rehired several ground crew employees who had been laid off when Continental Express left Abilene and several other cities a month after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

Mary Finnigan, vice president of administration for Colgan Air, told the San Angelo Standard-Times that the airline intends to retain SkyWest's San Angelo-based staff.

Continental Connection offers three daily departures from the Abilene Regional Airport. The contractor change also affects several small and medium-sized Texas cities, including San Angelo, Killeen and Waco.

Continental Connection is one of two carriers serving Abilene. American Eagle offers six daily round-trip flights between Abilene and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

JayAre · January 22nd, 2005, 14:12

I wonder if this will slow hiring down with SkyWest in the first quarter of 05. Just reassign the crew new domicles or let them up grade into the RJ ?

SmitteyB · January 22nd, 2005, 15:00

That is good news. Colgan is hiring like crazy now as it is.

FlyChicaga · January 22nd, 2005, 15:12

If they do in fact get the Saab 2000, I don't know how long you can plan to see them stay in business. The operating costs on that aircraft are huge. Chicago Express looked at it, but claimed the costs would have put the airline into bankrupcy. And that was with a capacity purchase agreement with ATA. Colgan doesn't have that with Continental.

Best of luck to them.

8LegDay · January 22nd, 2005, 16:42

[ QUOTE ]
I wonder if this will slow hiring down with SkyWest in the first quarter of 05. Just reassign the crew new domicles or let them up grade into the RJ ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Possibly. SkyWest has 56 pilots in IAH. Some will transition on the CRJ, some will stay on the Brasilia - all personal preference and seniority. All Captains will stay Captains. Some FO's seatlocks will hopefully be reseased so they can transition into the CRJ. Everyone will get the moving reimbursement and relocation incentive.

With the published deliveries of 27 airplanes between now and September 05 ~214 new hires will still join the team.

JayAre · January 24th, 2005, 12:06

Well I hope to be a new hire this summer after I complete this my degree!

How hard is it to get Chicago as a junior pilot at SkyWest?

little_cricket · January 24th, 2005, 12:43

[ QUOTE ]
How hard is it to get Chicago as a junior pilot at SkyWest?

[/ QUOTE ]
Not hard in the RJ usually pretty junior, but you need prior turbine time (not always) to be hired into the RJ being the kicker.

cime_sp · January 24th, 2005, 16:43

The speed numbers may be good on the Saab 2000, but it handles like a dumptruck. It has the heaviest ailerons you can possibly imagine. You sometimes have to brace yourself against the rudder pedals and use both hands with all your might to make it do what you want.

SmitteyB · January 25th, 2005, 00:31

[ QUOTE ]
The speed numbers may be good on the Saab 2000, but it handles like a dumptruck. It has the heaviest ailerons you can possibly imagine. You sometimes have to brace yourself against the rudder pedals and use both hands with all your might to make it do what you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

The 340 is so much better looking.

EatSleepFly · January 25th, 2005, 00:36

'Cause thats what matters....

av8trxx · January 25th, 2005, 02:31

With that hot dihedral on her booty, the Saab IS the JLo of the turboprop world!

EatSleepFly · January 25th, 2005, 11:33

[ QUOTE ]
With that hot dihedral on her booty, the Saab IS the JLo of the turboprop world!

[/ QUOTE ]

SmitteyB · January 25th, 2005, 18:54

[ QUOTE ]
'Cause thats what matters....

[/ QUOTE ]

No just a general opinion. Sorry.

8LegDay · January 29th, 2005, 11:49

Well, they are still working on the pull out schedule but for now it looks like SkyWest last revenue flight into IAH will be on July 1st, 2005. Colgan will start operations on March 3rd, 2005.
Gradually, starting March 1st, SkyWest will be transferring/transitioning crews - it's good thing we have 4 CRJ classes (112 pilots) between March and May.

Still, however according to the latest training schedule ~500 new hires will come on board this year.

On Feb. 1st and the 2nd the standing bid coordinator will contact every pilot in IAH with options of future domicile assignments...

I was thinking of a Telemundo host career here but they say Spanish preferred..

difete · February 13th, 2005, 15:09

Yep, I will be down here in IAH up to JUL 1st.
So far going to SLC after that date. It seemed to be a nice base down here. Lots of friendly good people.

My best wishes to Colgan.

Alaskaairlines · March 9th, 2005, 15:11

Now how much more can the Saab carry vs. the Brasilia?

FlyChicaga · March 9th, 2005, 15:33

Probably one more person. Oh, and it doesn't have an APU. Houston summers = Hot airplanes + Weight restricted airplanes.

Good thinking there, Larry.

Alaskaairlines · March 9th, 2005, 17:01

The Saab doesn't have an APU, or the EMB?

FlyChicaga · March 9th, 2005, 17:24

Saab doesn't. EMB does.

Alaskaairlines · March 9th, 2005, 17:46

Oh OK. Talk about an oven in the summer.

8LegDay · March 9th, 2005, 20:27

I guess aircarts are in their contract with CAL.

However, Colgan is talking about moving to terminal A and hiring their own rampers - in that case they'll buy a/c carts and GPU's.

ERfly · March 9th, 2005, 23:29

[ QUOTE ]
Oh OK. Talk about an oven in the summer.

[/ QUOTE ]

You have no idea. I spent a summer in these very aircraft. 356CJ was one of the worst in the summer. It's not going to be too fun on the short hops they have these things on. They're going to need aircarts.

January 21st, 2005, 17:44	#1
av8trxx Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: KSAN Posts: 392	Houston- Skywest & Corporate What's up with OO in Houston? I heard Corporate is now taking on the Continental Express flying.

January 21st, 2005, 18:11	#2
Alchemy Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 1,800	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate Colgan's taking the flying. Apparantly Continental wanted more capacity on the turboprop routes in the form of Saabs, which skywest does not have.

January 21st, 2005, 20:12	#3
8LegDay Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 155	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate CAL wanted bigger turboprops with up to 50 pax capacity - someone said they are missing CoEx ATRs - and SkyWest simply doesn't have them. I heard a finance guy from CAL say that everything inside 250 miles from IAH will be given to props. We had a lot of talking about Q400 over the past 2 years but nothing materialized. The management is convinced the prop flying is not worth the 4th type. Colgan underbid us by 500K/year.. 10 Saabs 340 and 10 Saabs 2000, 5 year contract. We had a 5 year contract too but look at us go after a year and a half! Good luck Colgan Air. Sincerely.

January 22nd, 2005, 00:21	#4
av8trxx Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: KSAN Posts: 392	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate [ QUOTE ] CAL wanted bigger turboprops with up to 50 pax capacity...Colgan underbid us by 500K/year.. 10 Saabs 340 and 10 Saabs 2000, 5 year contract. We had a 5 year contract too but look at us go after a year and a half! Good luck Colgan Air. Sincerely. [/ QUOTE ] Hmmm. They will never get 34 people on a SF3. Not unless they have 370LBs of bags! Literally. Now the Saab 2000- that is one #### hot bird! Dang...maybe I'll go to Colgan to fly that! Here's more news: New carrier will take over flights SkyWest will be replaced by Colgant in Abilene By Thaddeus DeJesus / Reporter-News Staff Writer January 21, 2005 Airline officials confirmed late Thursday that a new carrier will fly on behalf of Continental Connection at the Abilene Regional Airport and other Texas airports. Beginning March 2, Colgan Air will take over routes serviced by SkyWest Airlines in Texas and Louisiana. Air service will continue as usual, despite the change in contractors, Continental Airlines spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said. Colgan will honor tickets purchased for future SkyWest flights from Abilene. Continental Connection, a subsidiary of Houston-based Continental Airlines, hires other companies to handle part of its regional airline service. Johnson said SkyWest's contract was up for renewal and placed for bid in November. He declined to say how much the contract is worth. Management for Manassas, Va.-based, Colgan Air could not be reached for comment Thursday. SkyWest spokeswoman Sabrena Suite said the company lost the bid because Continental was interested in adding more passenger capacity via turboprop airplanes. That meant either adding seats to its existing fleet of small planes or adding new planes to the fleet. Neither option was feasible for the company, she said. SkyWest's Texas fleet consists of 30-seat turboprops. Colgan will bring to Texas comparable planes, Johnson said. According to Colgan's Web site, that airline's comparably sized plane is a 34-seat turboprop. It is unclear what will happen to SkyWest's ground crew, which consists of about a dozen people. If past experience is any indication, Colgan may follow SkyWest's lead when it entered into the Abilene market in 2003. SkyWest brought in its own management team, but rehired several ground crew employees who had been laid off when Continental Express left Abilene and several other cities a month after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Mary Finnigan, vice president of administration for Colgan Air, told the San Angelo Standard-Times that the airline intends to retain SkyWest's San Angelo-based staff. Continental Connection offers three daily departures from the Abilene Regional Airport. The contractor change also affects several small and medium-sized Texas cities, including San Angelo, Killeen and Waco. Continental Connection is one of two carriers serving Abilene. American Eagle offers six daily round-trip flights between Abilene and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

January 22nd, 2005, 14:12	#5
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 1,021	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate I wonder if this will slow hiring down with SkyWest in the first quarter of 05. Just reassign the crew new domicles or let them up grade into the RJ ?

January 22nd, 2005, 15:00	#6
SmitteyB Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 1,957	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate That is good news. Colgan is hiring like crazy now as it is.

January 22nd, 2005, 15:12	#7
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,833	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate If they do in fact get the Saab 2000, I don't know how long you can plan to see them stay in business. The operating costs on that aircraft are huge. Chicago Express looked at it, but claimed the costs would have put the airline into bankrupcy. And that was with a capacity purchase agreement with ATA. Colgan doesn't have that with Continental. Best of luck to them.

January 22nd, 2005, 16:42	#8
8LegDay Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 155	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate [ QUOTE ] I wonder if this will slow hiring down with SkyWest in the first quarter of 05. Just reassign the crew new domicles or let them up grade into the RJ ? [/ QUOTE ] Possibly. SkyWest has 56 pilots in IAH. Some will transition on the CRJ, some will stay on the Brasilia - all personal preference and seniority. All Captains will stay Captains. Some FO's seatlocks will hopefully be reseased so they can transition into the CRJ. Everyone will get the moving reimbursement and relocation incentive. With the published deliveries of 27 airplanes between now and September 05 ~214 new hires will still join the team.

January 24th, 2005, 12:06	#9
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 1,021	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate Well I hope to be a new hire this summer after I complete this my degree! How hard is it to get Chicago as a junior pilot at SkyWest?

January 24th, 2005, 12:43	#10
little_cricket Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 136	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate [ QUOTE ] How hard is it to get Chicago as a junior pilot at SkyWest? [/ QUOTE ] Not hard in the RJ usually pretty junior, but you need prior turbine time (not always) to be hired into the RJ being the kicker.

January 24th, 2005, 16:43	#11
cime_sp Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: ATL Posts: 782	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate The speed numbers may be good on the Saab 2000, but it handles like a dumptruck. It has the heaviest ailerons you can possibly imagine. You sometimes have to brace yourself against the rudder pedals and use both hands with all your might to make it do what you want.

January 25th, 2005, 00:31	#12
SmitteyB Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 1,957	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate [ QUOTE ] The speed numbers may be good on the Saab 2000, but it handles like a dumptruck. It has the heaviest ailerons you can possibly imagine. You sometimes have to brace yourself against the rudder pedals and use both hands with all your might to make it do what you want. [/ QUOTE ] The 340 is so much better looking.

January 25th, 2005, 00:36	#13
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate 'Cause thats what matters....

January 25th, 2005, 02:31	#14
av8trxx Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: KSAN Posts: 392	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate With that hot dihedral on her booty, the Saab IS the JLo of the turboprop world!

January 25th, 2005, 11:33	#15
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate [ QUOTE ] With that hot dihedral on her booty, the Saab IS the JLo of the turboprop world! [/ QUOTE ]

January 25th, 2005, 18:54	#16
SmitteyB Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 1,957	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate [ QUOTE ] 'Cause thats what matters.... [/ QUOTE ] No just a general opinion. Sorry.

January 29th, 2005, 11:49	#17
8LegDay Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 155	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate Well, they are still working on the pull out schedule but for now it looks like SkyWest last revenue flight into IAH will be on July 1st, 2005. Colgan will start operations on March 3rd, 2005. Gradually, starting March 1st, SkyWest will be transferring/transitioning crews - it's good thing we have 4 CRJ classes (112 pilots) between March and May. Still, however according to the latest training schedule ~500 new hires will come on board this year. On Feb. 1st and the 2nd the standing bid coordinator will contact every pilot in IAH with options of future domicile assignments... I was thinking of a Telemundo host career here but they say Spanish preferred..

February 13th, 2005, 15:09	#18
difete Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 91	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate Yep, I will be down here in IAH up to JUL 1st. So far going to SLC after that date. It seemed to be a nice base down here. Lots of friendly good people. My best wishes to Colgan.

March 9th, 2005, 15:11	#19
Alaskaairlines Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 74	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate Now how much more can the Saab carry vs. the Brasilia?

March 9th, 2005, 15:33	#20
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,833	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate Probably one more person. Oh, and it doesn't have an APU. Houston summers = Hot airplanes + Weight restricted airplanes. Good thinking there, Larry.

March 9th, 2005, 17:01	#21
Alaskaairlines Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 74	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate The Saab doesn't have an APU, or the EMB?

March 9th, 2005, 17:24	#22
FlyChicaga Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,833	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate Saab doesn't. EMB does.

March 9th, 2005, 17:46	#23
Alaskaairlines Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 74	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate Oh OK. Talk about an oven in the summer.

March 9th, 2005, 20:27	#24
8LegDay Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 155	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate I guess aircarts are in their contract with CAL. However, Colgan is talking about moving to terminal A and hiring their own rampers - in that case they'll buy a/c carts and GPU's.

March 9th, 2005, 23:29	#25
ERfly Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 555	Re: Houston- Skywest & Corporate [ QUOTE ] Oh OK. Talk about an oven in the summer. [/ QUOTE ] You have no idea. I spent a summer in these very aircraft. 356CJ was one of the worst in the summer. It's not going to be too fun on the short hops they have these things on. They're going to need aircarts.

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