Regional Jets - From darlings to dinosaurs as Comair shutdown looms.

[markis10]

Looks like there will be a lot of CRJs on the market:

Regional carrier Comair Inc. has told the state that it will lay off 524 employees at Detroit Metropolitan Airport by Sept. 30 as it ceases all operations.
Some of those are pilots and flight attendants who fly in and out of Michigan but live elsewhere, but an unspecified number are based here.
The airline's close isn't expected to affect travelers at Metro or elsewhere.
Comair accounted for 5.3 percent of the total passenger enplanements (departing fliers) from Metro so far this year, or 497,266 fliers, online airport statistics show.

The move is part of Delta's plan to reduce its fleet of 50-seat regional jets from 350 to 125 or fewer in coming years, the airline said. Delta hasn't been able to make the smaller jets cost effective.



http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120827/FREE/120829939#

 

[Boris spatsky]

And their ads say that they are bringing in the 'new 717' !!??!! I think Delta are living in the dark ages.

 

[here2go]

Looks like there will be a lot of CRJs on the market:

Regional carrier Comair Inc. has told the state that it will lay off 524 employees at Detroit Metropolitan Airport by Sept. 30 as it ceases all operations.
Some of those are pilots and flight attendants who fly in and out of Michigan but live elsewhere, but an unspecified number are based here.
The airline's close isn't expected to affect travelers at Metro or elsewhere.
Comair accounted for 5.3 percent of the total passenger enplanements (departing fliers) from Metro so far this year, or 497,266 fliers, online airport statistics show.

The move is part of Delta's plan to reduce its fleet of 50-seat regional jets from 350 to 125 or fewer in coming years, the airline said. Delta hasn't been able to make the smaller jets cost effective.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120827/FREE/120829939#

Intriguing that airlines in America steer clear of turbo props. Is that due to the irrational fear many people have of turboprops? I remember in my youth having to book people on 737s when the Dash8 (CBR-SYD) service was more convenient as they wanted to fly "on a jet". It wasn't worth trying to argue with my senior sirs that turboprops are also "jets" and are less likely to crash due to their design, plus you got more time at "cruising altitude" to knock back a beer or red wine on the run!
I was devastated when QF ditched the Q400 service BNE-CBR, that was a great flight and you got to see so much more of the world outside of the window at 14,000ft.

 

[markis10]

ATW mentions the turboprops dont give the legs the RJs do, after all you wont see a Dash 8 do BNE - CNS.

Hail and Farewell | ATWOnline

 

[Mattg]

Intriguing that airlines in America steer clear of turbo props. Is that due to the irrational fear many people have of turboprops? I remember in my youth having to book people on 737s when the Dash8 (CBR-SYD) service was more convenient as they wanted to fly "on a jet". It wasn't worth trying to argue with my senior sirs that turboprops are also "jets" and are less likely to crash due to their design, plus you got more time at "cruising altitude" to knock back a beer or red wine on the run!
I was devastated when QF ditched the Q400 service BNE-CBR, that was a great flight and you got to see so much more of the world outside of the window at 14,000ft.

It's interesting, a lot of people do seem to have this irrational dislike of turboprop aircraft.

AFAIK QF run a Q400 BNE-CBR-BNE every day except Wednesday and Friday.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I dont have a fear of turboprops, but they are noisier, slower and cant out climb the weather as well as a jet can. Jet for me anyday; i actively avoid TPs, but i still have to fly on plenty of them.

 

[here2go]

I dont have a fear of turboprops, but they are noisier, slower and cant out climb the weather as well as a jet can. Jet for me anyday; i actively avoid TPs, but i still have to fly on plenty of them.

OCD me says that they are both jets. One is turboprop, the other is turbofan, both of which are powered by a jet engine. I can't argue the point re weather.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Ok, pure jet then. Sheesh, let's not get technical for the masses.

 

[straitman]

Ok, pure jet then. Sheesh, let's not get technical for the masses.

If not getting technical then turboprop and turbojet are probably more appropriate.

The only difference is how the exhaust is used :!:

 

[Boris spatsky]

Its not a DC9 or 727 with a JT8 - it's not a turbojet. Turbofan, yes. So yes, let's not get technical, eh?

 

[oz_mark]

If not getting technical then turboprop and turbojet are probably more appropriate.

The only difference is how the exhaust is used :!:

As far as most people are concerned, it is the propulsion mechanism that matters. Props or Jet propulsion

 

[straitman]

Its not a DC9 or 727 with a JT8 - it's not a turbojet. Turbofan, yes. So yes, let's not get technical, eh?

I'm glad someone is on the ball and undermeant what I stood to say :!:

 

[toowongman]

It's interesting, a lot of people do seem to have this irrational dislike of turboprop aircraft.

Nothing against the aircraft or method of propulsion, it's just that the seats and WC are generally too small.

 

[Standby]

the reality is ATRs and Dash 8's cost less to operate than small regional jets otherwise DJ would have kept the E170s. I wouldn't be surprised to see the turbo props open up more hub busting routes <1200 kms .
Cheap way of entering 'thin' passenger routes that dont justify the jet costs.
Whilst correct about flying above the weather etc, saving an hour in trip and connect times has its benifits too (except for SC hunters)