Why does US Airways often seem unable to bring its ERJs to jetways?

Case in point: PIT to STL on US Airways Express versus ORD to STL on United Express. Both flights are operated by Trans States on ERJs, but every time I've taken the UA flight, we board via jetway and disembark via jetway. Every time I've taken the US flight, we walk outside to board and do the same in STL.

Same aircraft, same operator, same airport -- so I've got to imagine it's an airline-specific issue, no?

US does not want to spend the money to convert the jetways.

I've yet to board a US RJ on a jetway (since I've yet to fly a e-170).

Supposedly, they were going to convert some jetways at PIT (I think Mesa all but demanded it), but now I'd be shocked if that actually happened (while US continues to screw around with the ACAA).

On the flipside, I've never boarded an American Eagle RJ on anything but a jetway (even at PIT :eek: ) which tell me that yes, it's an airline specific (cheap) thing.

US does board a few RJs at DCA through jetways but that's the only example I can think of off the top of my head. I'd imagine it gets tough to board RJs using jetways if you make a practice of parking more than one RJ at a gate.

It costs $50,000 alone just to retrofit a jetway for RJ use. The cost must be staggering to install RJ capable jetways throughout the US system.

What's involved in retrofitting the jetways? At STL, the only difference I noticed was a short movable metal ramp that the United ground crew used to bridge the two-foot gap between the jetway and the aircraft door. There's got to be more involved than that, right?

Why does US Airways often seem unable to bring its ERJs to jetways?

Case in point: PIT to STL on US Airways Express versus ORD to STL on United Express. Both flights are operated by Trans States on ERJs, but every time I've taken the UA flight, we board via jetway and disembark via jetway. Every time I've taken the US flight, we walk outside to board and do the same in STL.

Same aircraft, same operator, same airport -- so I've got to imagine it's an airline-specific issue, no?


I flew STL-PIT on US Express/Trans States/ERJ this afternoon, and we boarded via jetway.

My E70 PIT-ATL on Monday was also via jetway.

And I know I've boarded AE at PIT walking on the tarmac - back when they actually had PIT-STL service.

What's involved in retrofitting the jetways? At STL, the only difference I noticed was a short movable metal ramp that the United ground crew used to bridge the two-foot gap between the jetway and the aircraft door. There's got to be more involved than that, right?

I agree. HP uses a metal plank with rails set up in just minutes when the a/c arrives at the gateway.

US does board a few RJs at DCA through jetways but that's the only example I can think of off the top of my head. I'd imagine it gets tough to board RJs using jetways if you make a practice of parking more than one RJ at a gate.

It costs $50,000 alone just to retrofit a jetway for RJ use. The cost must be staggering to install RJ capable jetways throughout the US system.

The figure that was tossed about at PIT was about $20k/jetway. Even then, it just looks like they use the standard jetway with the "bridge" attachment.

And I know I've boarded AE at PIT walking on the tarmac - back when they actually had PIT-STL service.

That was transstates, not AE (at the time).

I asked the same question about STL when I went through there over Thanksgiving. US has 2 gates at STL, but only one "gangway" which is at the gate next to CO. They overnight 3 aircraft at STL, so only 1 flight is lucky enough to get the jetway. They also have a mix of CRJ's, all of which have integrated air stairs, ERJ with air stairs, and ERJ's with a plug door (like Airbus) with no airstairs. Obviously the plug door has to get the jetway. They do try and use the jetway as much as possible for all flights, but if there is more than 1 flight in at a time, then preference is obviously to the ERJ with the plug door.

BTW, all of the RJ gates and many Dash 8 gates in Terminal F in PHL have jetways. Only the 1900 does not use a jetway if at all possible in PHL.

That was transstates, not AE (at the time).

Ah, you are correct. AA, AE, AC ... it's all American to me.

Flew DCA-IND and back this weekend. In DCA, I was out of gate 38, and they usually had 2 RJs there at a time. Neither got the jetway. In IND, they have 3 Express jetways, and I saw all three linking up to planes. No stairs for us. On the return, we parked in Commuterland, so had to brave the rain until the bus. Got my bag soaked.

It's really hit and miss in DCA for getting a jetway for an RJ. During peak periods, Express will double park at gate 38 and also use "commuterland" and the dreaded busses. If your flight happens to park at gate 24, the only Express gate the Middle Pier,you should get a jetway. Great if you are local DCA passenger, bad if you have a connection at the North Pier and have to go through the TSA line. During non peak times, Express tries not to remote park RJs and uses jetways at both 36 and 38.

What about all of the turboprop mini-jetways at PHL? If a standard jetway fits an RJ these things must be way too low. Will there be enough turboprop traffic to make this not yet another dumb US investment?

go to WTAE.com and scroll down to 'Latest Headlines' and you will see "Inside A New US Airways Express Jet" video link. In the video you can see MidAtlantic's logo (boring) and the cockpit/cabin views. Enjoy!