Porter Airlines New Summer Destination

[gustind]

Today the flights to Newark began. Every single flight except the first departures were late lol. I would love to know why though.

[teacher]

Because simply, they were flying in the aviation gong show triangle. I'm sure it had nothing to do with porter but with the simple fact that they were in Newark.

[Valhalla]

Today the flights to Newark began. Every single flight except the first departures were late lol. I would love to know why though.

Shitty weather here... shitty weather there... Ground delay in Newark this afternoon... But despite all that, the launch was a complete success!

[Valhalla]

Complex.
I think it depends on what part of the world you live in. In Canada, we have some very seasoned travellers who know very well the advantages of speed and altitude. Having said that, I have never flown in a "stretched dash" so I really shouldn't prejudge it. Maybe the fact that I flew the smaller version for years has left me with certain impressions. Back to the original topic, it's good to see Bobby D making a good run of it for now.

I've got lots of time in the classic 100/300, and there is absolutly no comparison in terms of speed and comfort to the Q400. You should go for a ride sometime... I'll bet you'd be very surprised.

[tonysoprano]

Valhalla.
No doubt, I just might be surprised. And come to think of it, on the shorter legs such as NWK, even the jets get flt planned at the lower levels from YYZ. Heck, I remember on the 320, cruise was at about FL270 to Liberty which was barely above summer wx. Anyway, hope it works out. I know WJ is supposed to start there soon. So Jazz, WJ and you guys all from YYZ, TZ. Yikes!! You guys laying over?

[dashx]

Well, ok. Now you're being an idiot.

Have you been down to YTZ lately? Lots of expansion out on the ramp. Personally it's not pretty. But (up to now) it's proving a point.

Jazz (oops Air Canada Jazz) still has a burning desire to get back into City Centre Airport lets not forget that.

Scare tactics (oooooo you wont get turbulence flying to XXX when you fly Air Canada). I am so scared.......

So anyway how long is the flight to Ottawa or Montreal in a Q400 these days? Oh but let us include that 3 minute taxi to the runway (26) and slow lazy turn to the left before you head toward your destination. Oh wait there might be one or two (Porter Q400's ahead of you on that taxiway make it 5 minutes maybe?).

Half an hour? 40 minutes? Holy hell man terror!!!!!! grip that hand rail!!!!

Why it's over before it started......

Why exactly is Air Canada Jazz doing heavy maintenance on 100's with over 50K cycles? You don't suppose they are planning to keep them around a wee bit longer. Ah you do remember that Air Canada (Jazz) still flies TURBOPROPS...

Maybe you still remember flying those in younger days. I don't think you were just dropped in that left jet seat were you?

But I guess it's easy to look down at everyone from what FL270? and smile? or snicker?

Now don't get me wrong I love the "big jets" just as much as the next passenger but economics still rule in favour of the turboprops for the short haul. Look at the European operators using the Q400's (Tyrolean comes to mind and oh wait is there turbulence in thar them Alps?)

But to get back to the original topic. Newark was very profitable for City Express. It will probably be succesful for Porter for the same reason YTZ is now.

[tonysoprano]

It will probably be succesful for Porter for the same reason YTZ is now.

For your sake, I hope you're right. To me, it means nothing. It's insignificant. That's why I can honestly say I wish you well. It doesn't affect me, ace. My comment was in response to your sarcasm, not your speculation. And judging by the tone you still maintain, my comment stands firm. City Express, Tyrolian. Brings back some memories. Yep, it's all just a memory. Wish they were still around. Oh ya they had turboprops didn't they? Say, what ever happened to them?

[dashx]

Flying.

I also wish Porter well. I don't however work for them.

Just try to remember what the Q400 represents. And it is significant. And no I don't work for Bombardier either.

But wait I have digressed from the post. My sincerest apologies. Enjoy the memories.

[tonysoprano]

Flying? No.
City Ex died years ago. Make it decades ago. Tyrolyan got absorbed into Austrian with a huge reduction in turboprops. It seems Austrian prefers the jet equipment to fly over those big hills, imagine that. As for the Q400, I personally don't think it made the big sonic boom Bombardier was hoping for. Nice equipment but, well, you know. I'd have to "digress" again or start another useless thread to make my point.

[Phileas Fogg]

How is Porter to work for? Anyone on here work for them that can give some insight?

[Valhalla]

How is Porter to work for? Anyone on here work for them that can give some insight?

Excellent. Like many other turbo-prop operators, I thought they would be a stepping stone to "something bigger". But now, there is no desire to leave. We have lots of ex-jet guys who will never to back. If you want a job that you enjoy going to every day, you'll enjoy Porter.

[Bullwinkle]

How is Porter to work for? Anyone on here work for them that can give some insight?

Excellent. Like many other turbo-prop operators, I thought they would be a stepping stone to "something bigger". But now, there is no desire to leave. We have lots of ex-jet guys who will never to back. If you want a job that you enjoy going to every day, you'll enjoy Porter.

Good to hear, but in all fairness you have to admit that they could do better with the pay. I understand that if there is one place where they dropped the ball, that would be it. According to what I've heard from some of your guys, yes it is a great place to work, but there is a growing feeling of "show me the money". I'm sure many of us here would agree that at an airline level the left seat shouldn't be paying anything less than six figures. Especially given the added challenge of operating out of the Island.

BTW congrats on New York.

[rudder]

Jazz (oops Air Canada Jazz) still has a burning desire to get back into City Centre Airport lets not forget that.

Wrong.

Jazz flies where AC tells it to fly. AC does not want into YTZ either - they just want Porter to go away.

You won't believe how this story ends

[Valhalla]

Good to hear, but in all fairness you have to admit that they could do better with the pay. I understand that if there is one place where they dropped the ball, that would be it. According to what I've heard from some of your guys, yes it is a great place to work, but there is a growing feeling of "show me the money". I'm sure many of us here would agree that at an airline level the left seat shouldn't be paying anything less than six figures. Especially given the added challenge of operating out of the Island.

BTW congrats on New York.

You're right about that one. But, keep in mind that Porter is a startup and we all came knowing the salary and the challenges associated with a startup. I was there from day 1, and would love to see a six figure salary. That will come (and soon), because it has to. The pilot market - including that for experienced Q400 drivers - is too good, especially internationally, for the salary to not increase. It's been discussed at length internally, and management knows what they have to do.

There are risks, and potential rewards from joining a startup. Just ask any of the first 100 or so at Westjet. I'm sure they stuck around the first few years because they believed in the long term prospects of the company. And for Porter, the pilots that stick around are there because they believe Toronto can support a downtown international airport with modern facilities (which were not there before). Incidently, London city center in England went from a state of disrepair (like YTZ was 2 years ago) to 10.5M passengers per year in 5 years. That's the example Porter is using in establishing it's business, and that's the reason they raised more money than any other North American startup (much more than Westjet, and second only to JetBlue) before the OC was issued.

[Donald]

Sorry to go off topic, but...

Flying.

Just try to remember what the Q400 represents. And it is significant. And no I don't work for Bombardier either.

And what would the Q400 represent? A great product, built by a heavily subsidized company. A company that will only allow Canadians to purchase their products (ie snowmobiles and quads) at home, where the price is substantially higher than across the border. A company that despite it's massive government tax breaks and manufacturing subsidies, is still planning on building it's new aircraft factory in the US.

Yeah, let's go bombardier...

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread...

[cggnl]

Friday Apr04/2008

After a week of sneaking off the Island for EWR during Ground Stops
or Ground Delay Programs the party is over. How's the EWR operation today?

Welcome to the big leagues and the true nature of EWR delays.

Rgds

[Phileas Fogg]

Ok then...how do I get into Porter? ...and I am willing to purchase a Q400 type rating or sign a 50-year bond if needed.

[pointyertoes]

Friday Apr04/2008

After a week of sneaking off the Island for EWR during Ground Stops
or Ground Delay Programs the party is over. How's the EWR operation today?

Welcome to the big leagues and the true nature of EWR delays.

Rgds

You'd be amazed how accommodating EWR controllers can be when the airplane can easily land on 11/29 max weight with a 20kt tailwind if need be and take 11/29 departures from an intersection under the same conditions.
It's been along time since turboprops have been at EWR and they're finding that we can fit it quite well.

[Valhalla]

Ok then...how do I get into Porter? ...and I am willing to purchase a Q400 type rating or sign a 50-year bond if needed.

Go to flyporter.com or if you are in YTZ, dress up nicely and drop your resume off at the office.

[cggnl]

Friday Apr04/2008

After a week of sneaking off the Island for EWR during Ground Stops
or Ground Delay Programs the party is over. How's the EWR operation today?

Welcome to the big leagues and the true nature of EWR delays.

Rgds

You'd be amazed how accommodating EWR controllers can be when the airplane can easily land on 11/29 max weight with a 20kt tailwind if need be and take 11/29 departures from an intersection under the same conditions.
It's been along time since turboprops have been at EWR and they're finding that we can fit it quite well.

I never once stated or hinted that EWR controllers were not accommodating on the 11-29
option. However 11-29 was not available for a good chunk of the day on Friday. My question was how the operation was. Cancel any flights? Any big delays?

Rgds

[Valhalla]

Friday Apr04/2008

After a week of sneaking off the Island for EWR during Ground Stops
or Ground Delay Programs the party is over. How's the EWR operation today?

Welcome to the big leagues and the true nature of EWR delays.

Rgds

You'd be amazed how accommodating EWR controllers can be when the airplane can easily land on 11/29 max weight with a 20kt tailwind if need be and take 11/29 departures from an intersection under the same conditions.
It's been along time since turboprops have been at EWR and they're finding that we can fit it quite well.

I never once stated or hinted that EWR controllers were not accommodating on the 11-29
option. However 11-29 was not available for a good chunk of the day on Friday. My question was how the operation was. Cancel any flights? Any big delays?

Rgds

Really don't know what you were referring to in your original post. Porter plays by the same rules as everyone else. On the very first day, the weather was crap and I sat in the airplane at YTZ waiting for our flow time into EWR due to ground delays there. And on Friday, we experienced delays mid-day, like everyone else. Only difference is that we don't have to wait for flow back into YTZ.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

I'm curious to know what the "big leagues" are...