BE19Pilot
Flying a Box
I think it's a mistake to attempt service into the smaller communities in the "great white north". Other airlines in the past have long abandoned these markets to smaller aircraft with the hopes of making a profit on these thin routes. I also think that it's going to be a mistake operating Cessna 402s in these markets due to weather/weight/fuel equations not equalling service thats reliable.
Perhaps I am biased, but the only replacement for a Beech 1900 is another Beech 1900. The northern New England routes are tailor-made for using the strengths that the 1900 brings. Colgan is basically hoping that summertime profits will offset wintertime losses and cancellations. Personally, I can't see PNCL Holdings staying in these markets beyond the next EAS (If EAS still exists after the election) contract re-negotiations. Colgan has always relied upon the lucrative summer travel season in New England to keep in the black, however, these profits are finite and small compared to the potential for operating "large turboprops (Future of CJC is the Q and eventually being an "all-Q" airline modelled after Horizon.) Let's hope that Colgan/PNCL Holdings mgt. sees the folly of operating a diversified fleet on thin routes, concentrates on the traffic dense northeast and underutilized hubs like PIT, IAD and RDU. OK, jumping off the soap box fellas.
Regards,
ex-Navy Rotorhead
Perhaps I am biased, but the only replacement for a Beech 1900 is another Beech 1900. The northern New England routes are tailor-made for using the strengths that the 1900 brings. Colgan is basically hoping that summertime profits will offset wintertime losses and cancellations. Personally, I can't see PNCL Holdings staying in these markets beyond the next EAS (If EAS still exists after the election) contract re-negotiations. Colgan has always relied upon the lucrative summer travel season in New England to keep in the black, however, these profits are finite and small compared to the potential for operating "large turboprops (Future of CJC is the Q and eventually being an "all-Q" airline modelled after Horizon.) Let's hope that Colgan/PNCL Holdings mgt. sees the folly of operating a diversified fleet on thin routes, concentrates on the traffic dense northeast and underutilized hubs like PIT, IAD and RDU. OK, jumping off the soap box fellas.
Regards,
ex-Navy Rotorhead