ExpressJet Terminates Agreement Early
Aug 10, 2017, 8:34 am
#16
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
I've heard bad things about SkyWest too, but don't fly them much. I usually see Endeavor or GoJet at DCA/CVG, both of which are fine operators.
Aug 10, 2017, 8:38 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
The 23 CR2's were already scheduled to go at the of the year. The latest quarterly report currently shows 152 CR2's in the fleet. The plan that was announced several years ago was to get the 50-seater fleet down to 125 aircraft. Subtracting the 23 ExpressJet aircraft gets DL down to 129 which is pretty close to the target. I haven't seen anything about going below that 125 number.
Aug 10, 2017, 8:50 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,858
Depends on where you are based. It is nice for HSV to have mainline service to ATL most of the time, but the tradeoff is reduced frequency. That can be downright painful on Saturdays when we only have 4 flights to ATL most of the time.
But I have been cooked in CRJs on many occasions during the summer months.
But I have been cooked in CRJs on many occasions during the summer months.
Aug 10, 2017, 10:22 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,884
I fly them relatively frequently. They were truly awful about 5 years ago (Comair bad), but they have shown a lot of improvement over the last few years. FAs are generally pretty friendly, actually work hard now, and are usually pretty competent. Service is by no means the quality of what you receive on a mainline flight, but at least they are in the same county now rather than a different planet. They also run a lot of brand new E175s^. Out west, I do think CP is a little better though.
Aug 10, 2017, 10:45 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,295
Sad, but so true. The regionals on AA are so lousy that ExpressJet will be a step up. About 100% of my flights on Envoy have been delayed and / or cancelled.
Aug 10, 2017, 10:57 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
Mostly Endeavor, whose fleet will increase accordingly -- they are assuming operation of 31 ExpressJet aircraft -- and where numerous ExpressJet employees are expected to apply. Most of the added lift is CR9s, but Endeavor is also taking 3 CR7s on strength; not sure where they will be deployed.
Endeavor is also opening an ATL base, which is expected to attract senior employees, and shrinking MSP ops, where SkyWest will take over most of the current Endeavor CR2 operation. This creates more opportunity for JFK/LGA/DTW-based Endeavor crews, as the most senior crew are currently MSP-based and it's them, mostly, who are expected to migrate to ATL and enjoy flying Caribbean routes.
DL wants nothing but CR9s at JFK because it wants premium customers coming off longhaul flights to fly their last legs in more comfort. It is bad for overall quality perceptions when the short leg is on a CR2 with no upgrade opportunity.
LGA will soon be all CR9s to maximize seats per slot.
Endeavor employees who came aboard in the last 1-3 years are very happy about all these developments. Their company is in grow mode, the CR2 fleet presence is shrinking, and prospects out of JFK and LGA especially are excellent.
Endeavor is also opening an ATL base, which is expected to attract senior employees, and shrinking MSP ops, where SkyWest will take over most of the current Endeavor CR2 operation. This creates more opportunity for JFK/LGA/DTW-based Endeavor crews, as the most senior crew are currently MSP-based and it's them, mostly, who are expected to migrate to ATL and enjoy flying Caribbean routes.
LGA will soon be all CR9s to maximize seats per slot.
Endeavor employees who came aboard in the last 1-3 years are very happy about all these developments. Their company is in grow mode, the CR2 fleet presence is shrinking, and prospects out of JFK and LGA especially are excellent.
Last edited by BearX220; Aug 10, 2017 at 11:02 am
Aug 10, 2017, 11:00 am
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,403
I hate the idea that part of the net effect of this will be to replace Endeavor by SkyWest flights at MSP.
Aug 10, 2017, 12:14 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 1,982
I have found SkyWest to be the best if these minor league carriers. I understand the gripes, but not every route is viable on mainline sadly. Be careful what you wish for, and be grateful delta doesn't fly prop planes.
Aug 10, 2017, 12:33 pm
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,403
Aug 10, 2017, 12:41 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,430
Aug 10, 2017, 1:43 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
Same here. Well over a decade of flying with SkyWest out of SLC and not a complaint to be had from me. Even those little Brasilia flights were nothing to complain about - you knew in advance you were going to be on a small prop plane and just brought the noise-cancelling headphones. The Brasilia did make flying into PSP interesting on a hot day when the thermals coming down through the mountain passes to the Valley made the plane bounce like a ping-pong ball!
Aug 10, 2017, 1:52 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,348
I would like to know what this means for BQK, I imagine somebody (Mainline DL or a regional carrier) would take over that route since FLETC and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay are right there (FLETC literally being a stones throw from the airport) and government tickets are profitable.
As to government travel being profitable, again, sometimes yes and sometimes not so much. It all depends on the route and city. I fly SEA-LAX regularly. The Capacity Controlled fare is $62 one way. The Full YCA fare is $140 one way.
Aug 10, 2017, 2:14 pm
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc etc etc
Posts: 2,341
Maybe, maybe not. Delta used to serve MCN (Macon, GA), which was about 5-10 miles up the road from Robins AFB. Service was pulled though and anyone traveling to Robins now has to go in and out of ATL.
As to government travel being profitable, again, sometimes yes and sometimes not so much. It all depends on the route and city. I fly SEA-LAX regularly. The Capacity Controlled fare is $62 one way. The Full YCA fare is $140 one way.
As to government travel being profitable, again, sometimes yes and sometimes not so much. It all depends on the route and city. I fly SEA-LAX regularly. The Capacity Controlled fare is $62 one way. The Full YCA fare is $140 one way.