REGCO Order 10 Dash-8 Q-400's
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog
REGCO Order 10 Dash-8 Q-400's
It was just reported on CBC News that Regional Airlines Holdings Inc. of Toronto has ordered 10 Dash-8 Q-400's with options for 10 more.
Looks like some jobs driving Q-400's are in the future!
Looks like some jobs driving Q-400's are in the future!
You Can Love An Airplane All You Want, But Remember, It Will Never Love You Back!
$2 for postage said the Mayor and all your problems are over
Talking to a friend who writes for one of the local papers and recalled how one anti-CYTZ person was quoted as saying the airport made her scared because of 9/11... I mean I can understand someone not liking the noise (even thought the airport was there first for pretty much everybody) but that's just bullsh!t. Anyway, my friend nodded and went, "yeah..."
If this is what's writing for the papers what chance do we have to save the airport?

Talking to a friend who writes for one of the local papers and recalled how one anti-CYTZ person was quoted as saying the airport made her scared because of 9/11... I mean I can understand someone not liking the noise (even thought the airport was there first for pretty much everybody) but that's just bullsh!t. Anyway, my friend nodded and went, "yeah..."
If this is what's writing for the papers what chance do we have to save the airport?
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It's the lead story on all the radio newscasts this morning. Even last night there were musings out of city hall about how they might slap a flights-per-day limit on the airport to stop this guy.
It's going to get really nasty and it's a real shame. I, for one, am a proponent of the island airport. But NIMBYism rules the day in Toronto politics and a lot of good things -- architecturally, economically, socially and financially -- are being lost to this city every month because of it.
We think, and keep claiming, that we're a big city, world class and all that. But really, we're still Chicago in short pants.
It's going to get really nasty and it's a real shame. I, for one, am a proponent of the island airport. But NIMBYism rules the day in Toronto politics and a lot of good things -- architecturally, economically, socially and financially -- are being lost to this city every month because of it.
We think, and keep claiming, that we're a big city, world class and all that. But really, we're still Chicago in short pants.
<RANT>
Here's what I don't get about the Toronto "island', and those who wish to "preserve" it.
1. It wasn't an island, It was a peninsula. The bit of sandy land joining it was washed away by a storm, after which they dredged the channel to turn it into an "island".
2. The residents of the island are just a bunch of hippys and artists. How the hell do they have so much political pull?
3. The precious yacht club burned down
... If there was a bridge, the fire department could have sent more equipment - and potentially reduced the damage done.
All this, and still they kill the bridge. WTF?
The other thing that kills me, is Miller saying that the airport will harm waterfront revitilazation. His statement in the news was that "We all know what land is like under busy commercial airports," "It's industrial land. That's the concern.". Again, WTF?
I don't know about you, but I've seen plenty of airports that are near developments other than "industrial". Here in Niagara, our airport (granted, it's not that busy) is surrounded by vinyards and wineries.
It's just classic: people develop around existing airports, and then whine about it being there.
</RANT>
Here's what I don't get about the Toronto "island', and those who wish to "preserve" it.
1. It wasn't an island, It was a peninsula. The bit of sandy land joining it was washed away by a storm, after which they dredged the channel to turn it into an "island".
2. The residents of the island are just a bunch of hippys and artists. How the hell do they have so much political pull?
3. The precious yacht club burned down

All this, and still they kill the bridge. WTF?
The other thing that kills me, is Miller saying that the airport will harm waterfront revitilazation. His statement in the news was that "We all know what land is like under busy commercial airports," "It's industrial land. That's the concern.". Again, WTF?
I don't know about you, but I've seen plenty of airports that are near developments other than "industrial". Here in Niagara, our airport (granted, it's not that busy) is surrounded by vinyards and wineries.
It's just classic: people develop around existing airports, and then whine about it being there.
</RANT>
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It's actually not the island residents who are at the front of the protest, but the people who live in the lakefront condos, both rich and poor. There are an awful lot of Torontonians who are like me, I think, really sore that this single issue hijacked the last mayoral election, considering only a few thousand people out of 2.5 million live near the island airport.
Last edited by TorontoGuy on Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Look at the pretty picture at the bottom. It just warms my heart!!
http://www.torontoport.com/PortAuthorit ... asp?id=250
http://www.torontoport.com/PortAuthorit ... asp?id=250
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Yup. It's been all over the news today, as they made an official announcement that the airline will be starting up.
http://www.cbc.ca/toronto/story/to_airport20060202.html
http://www.cbc.ca/toronto/story/to_airport20060202.html
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Wow, nice indeed. I was down there in November. What a dump the landside is.teacher wrote:Look at the pretty picture at the bottom. It just warms my heart!!
http://www.torontoport.com/PortAuthorit ... asp?id=250
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Air Canada just jumped on the band wagon.
"As Toronto City Center Airport's longest serving passenger airline, Air
Canada is pleased that the TPA has decided to improve access to the airport.
This decision will allow Air Canada, through its regional partner, Air Canada Jazz, to re-instate flights previously cancelled due to the lack of demand caused by inadequate access to the airport under the existing ferry service," said Ben Smith, Vice-President, Network Planning, Air Canada.
With the improved access to Toronto City Centre Airport, Air Canada will
pursue a substantial increase of frequencies between that airport and Ottawa as well as the reinstatement of flights to and from Montreal. The carrier will also examine the feasibility of additional flights between TCCA and other regional destinations in Canada and the U.S.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/arch ... c3362.html
And this is the official news release from the new Porter Airlines:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/arch ... c3324.html
It's got some big money behind it and some big names, too, including Don Carty former head of AMR and CP Air.
"As Toronto City Center Airport's longest serving passenger airline, Air
Canada is pleased that the TPA has decided to improve access to the airport.
This decision will allow Air Canada, through its regional partner, Air Canada Jazz, to re-instate flights previously cancelled due to the lack of demand caused by inadequate access to the airport under the existing ferry service," said Ben Smith, Vice-President, Network Planning, Air Canada.
With the improved access to Toronto City Centre Airport, Air Canada will
pursue a substantial increase of frequencies between that airport and Ottawa as well as the reinstatement of flights to and from Montreal. The carrier will also examine the feasibility of additional flights between TCCA and other regional destinations in Canada and the U.S.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/arch ... c3362.html
And this is the official news release from the new Porter Airlines:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/arch ... c3324.html
It's got some big money behind it and some big names, too, including Don Carty former head of AMR and CP Air.
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With Bobby D signing a 1/4 of billion dollar deal to buy Q 400's built in Toronto and to be operated out of an airport that's owned & run by the FEDs's who now under the leadership of the Conservative Party who at the core are all business oriented. I don't think David Miller is going to get very far. In fact he is unwittingly helping the new airline survive by continuing the JET ban at the airport so it doesn't have to worry about any competition from regional jet airlines.
Smart move.
Smart move.

I hope something does come of this for the island it's a disgrace to see the land side the way it looks now.
With both the port authority and the airport being federal I can't figure out how the city managed to stop the bridge. As for who the people behind the protests are I can't figure out who they are.I have one uncle who lives off the end of 26 in a multi million dollar estate he doesn't know and neither does my other uncle who lives a little more to the west in one of the condos on lakeshore,they both said "I think it the people on the island" but don't know for sure but they keep reading in the papers that they oppose it.
Even though they don't oppose it they don't care if it does close so no
one seems to say hey I'm a resident here and I never said that. Maybe it's time to start something proactive like letting the residents know what is actually being planned and that the Q400 is actully quiter than the lears and such using it now. My one uncle who travels alot didn't know that he could get on jazz downtown and get his connecting international in less time usually than it takes to get to yyz wait in line clear and then board, and sometimes actually cheaper because you are connecting in yyz not boarding you don't pay those fees.
Hopefully this REGCO might do some of this as the port authority doesn't seem to be.
With both the port authority and the airport being federal I can't figure out how the city managed to stop the bridge. As for who the people behind the protests are I can't figure out who they are.I have one uncle who lives off the end of 26 in a multi million dollar estate he doesn't know and neither does my other uncle who lives a little more to the west in one of the condos on lakeshore,they both said "I think it the people on the island" but don't know for sure but they keep reading in the papers that they oppose it.
Even though they don't oppose it they don't care if it does close so no
one seems to say hey I'm a resident here and I never said that. Maybe it's time to start something proactive like letting the residents know what is actually being planned and that the Q400 is actully quiter than the lears and such using it now. My one uncle who travels alot didn't know that he could get on jazz downtown and get his connecting international in less time usually than it takes to get to yyz wait in line clear and then board, and sometimes actually cheaper because you are connecting in yyz not boarding you don't pay those fees.
Hopefully this REGCO might do some of this as the port authority doesn't seem to be.
Driving Rain, no offense, but the whole jet ban thing is a huge red herring
The longest runway is 4000'. No airline jets, even RJ's, can safely use that runway length
. Some citation and falcon corporate birds, maybe.
The biggest noise polluter at that airport are garret powered turboprops that come in on air ambulance. The jet issue was never a danger except for some corporate birds. Just a ruse by Miller and friends
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The biggest noise polluter at that airport are garret powered turboprops that come in on air ambulance. The jet issue was never a danger except for some corporate birds. Just a ruse by Miller and friends

An old article but a brief run down of what they island residents are all about:
Sweet home Toronto Islands
October 14, 2002
Ah, the sweet irony. Just as Toronto Island activists were about to renew their tiresome attack on Toronto Island Airport, along comes Ontario Environment Minister Chris Stockwell wanting to evict them and turn their homesteads into a park.
Toronto Islander Allan Sparrow spent most of last year trying to shut down the Toronto City Centre Airport to develop an environmentally friendly theme park.
Just one day before Stockwell dropped his bombshell about an Ontario government review of the , 99-year leases given to island residents by the former NDP government of 1993, activists were regrouping to make the Island airport a major civic issue by comparing it to the killing of the Spadina Expressway.
Needless to say, Stockwell’s announcement has the activist residents running off in another direction--the one guaranteed to save their island homes.
The screams of Islanders, miffed to be called "squatters," could be heard on the mainland and as far away as Buttonville Airport.
"They are, they were, squatters," Stockwell told reporters when asked about the Ontario government’s move to review the infamous 99-year lease.
"Clearly, they moved in knowing full well this was supposed to be a park and then stayed and they got what I would deem to be the sweetest of sweetheart deals any government has ever cut with anybody," said the former Metro councillor.
Stockwell could have added Islanders went on to colonize and grandfather their select society. They build monster homes, resurrect plans for the Flying Toad Co-op, rent out their Island homes in a profitable cottage industry and seem now to be taking over the surrounding water ways with tax-free, polluting, all-season houseboats.
Back in 1993, Bob Rae’s socialist government allowed the 262 homes on Ward’s and Algonquin islands to remain despite the area being officially declared parkland. The NDP government of the day gave the residents 99-year leases at a cost of between $36,000 to $46,000. The sweetheart deal made for one of the most privileged societies in creation. Instead of moving on to enjoy the bucolic lifestyle, Islanders have staged a bitter fight to close down Toronto Island Airport.
"I was very clear, as were my council colleagues in those days, that this is public open space," said Stockwell. "You should not be allowed to live in a park and we should be able to have that public open space--a park--for the public."
The deal will be re-examined as part of a 10-year review called for in the original NDP bill.
Mainland residents foot the bill to cover the costs of providing year-round service to the islands. A review of the leases may provide those investigating the ability to probe whether Island residents should be paying more for ferry services, fire and garbage collection through a renewed lease arrangement.
Premier Ernie Eves has made it clear that reviewing the lease is part of the Conservatives’ responsibility to taxpayers given the 99-year status.
Given that it followed so closely on the heels of the renewed vigour of the Toronto Island Airport fight, we can only wonder if the premier was being 'Eveivellian.'
Sweet home Toronto Islands
October 14, 2002
Ah, the sweet irony. Just as Toronto Island activists were about to renew their tiresome attack on Toronto Island Airport, along comes Ontario Environment Minister Chris Stockwell wanting to evict them and turn their homesteads into a park.
Toronto Islander Allan Sparrow spent most of last year trying to shut down the Toronto City Centre Airport to develop an environmentally friendly theme park.
Just one day before Stockwell dropped his bombshell about an Ontario government review of the , 99-year leases given to island residents by the former NDP government of 1993, activists were regrouping to make the Island airport a major civic issue by comparing it to the killing of the Spadina Expressway.
Needless to say, Stockwell’s announcement has the activist residents running off in another direction--the one guaranteed to save their island homes.
The screams of Islanders, miffed to be called "squatters," could be heard on the mainland and as far away as Buttonville Airport.
"They are, they were, squatters," Stockwell told reporters when asked about the Ontario government’s move to review the infamous 99-year lease.
"Clearly, they moved in knowing full well this was supposed to be a park and then stayed and they got what I would deem to be the sweetest of sweetheart deals any government has ever cut with anybody," said the former Metro councillor.
Stockwell could have added Islanders went on to colonize and grandfather their select society. They build monster homes, resurrect plans for the Flying Toad Co-op, rent out their Island homes in a profitable cottage industry and seem now to be taking over the surrounding water ways with tax-free, polluting, all-season houseboats.
Back in 1993, Bob Rae’s socialist government allowed the 262 homes on Ward’s and Algonquin islands to remain despite the area being officially declared parkland. The NDP government of the day gave the residents 99-year leases at a cost of between $36,000 to $46,000. The sweetheart deal made for one of the most privileged societies in creation. Instead of moving on to enjoy the bucolic lifestyle, Islanders have staged a bitter fight to close down Toronto Island Airport.
"I was very clear, as were my council colleagues in those days, that this is public open space," said Stockwell. "You should not be allowed to live in a park and we should be able to have that public open space--a park--for the public."
The deal will be re-examined as part of a 10-year review called for in the original NDP bill.
Mainland residents foot the bill to cover the costs of providing year-round service to the islands. A review of the leases may provide those investigating the ability to probe whether Island residents should be paying more for ferry services, fire and garbage collection through a renewed lease arrangement.
Premier Ernie Eves has made it clear that reviewing the lease is part of the Conservatives’ responsibility to taxpayers given the 99-year status.
Given that it followed so closely on the heels of the renewed vigour of the Toronto Island Airport fight, we can only wonder if the premier was being 'Eveivellian.'