what I think...
Dear Porfirio.
I have to say, Im not too interested in forums. Being here is a sheer accident, just bumped on the link looking for something else, and was totally outraged of how much trash can people write and say. Since Im here now, I think everyone has to read what I have to say on behalf of SJA.
Good old Eli was NOT entirely correct when questioning everyone else. If he was, his arguments and expressions would have been quite different.
He is indeed citing pretty much correctly about the scheduled authority, but FAR's clearly states that there is 9-or less passenger seats operations, and 10-or more passenger seats operations. FAR 135 reaches up to 30 seats, if on demand. If you are to operate airplanes on scheduled basis using more than 9 passengers, then you need to go FAR 121. In our case, we did not wish to upgrade that high, although we could apply for it. Our airplanes hold up to 13 passengers each.
Mainly, our reason of keeping our seating capacity down to 9 passengers or less is due to maintenace, and operations reasons. Experience has taught us to operate sensibly, and wisely, keeping the highest level of safety, training, and professionalism, and yet at the same time, maximize revenues. Do not be mistaken; by increasing the amount of passengers, so the amount of expenses increases. Often this results in many operators cutting corners on their training programs, maintenance programs, and in general, all levels of safety. No way for us. We spend BIG money just in maintaining our fleet, from the tiniest detail like a stain on a carpet, shinning and buffing paint finishes, to the most expensive details, like turbine engine components. We invite anybody to take a closer look at any one of our planes.
Fina air...what is that? Are you ready for this? That company does not even deserve to be mentioned here in this forum, since this forum talks about a scheduled commuter, that has all the approvals, and went through all the neccesary screenings to be approved by the Federal Govenment as a reliable airline that is capable to operate without dissapearing in the next year or more, and that is fully authorized to issue ticket stock and collect money before hand, months before the actual flight takes place.
The reason why the DOT requires such screening to issue the approval is simply to protect the interest of the public and avoid airline fraud.
I have nothing personal against the owner of fina, (trust me, I know the man...he used to sell us jet fuel before he decided to become a competitor). However, his business practices are a quite notorious around here. He's notorious for a few scandals in the past, related to phantom charter sales, more than once in the past, and his new toy, Fina, is doing almost as bad.
This is why we hate and find totally offensive being compared or associated with those guys on any way or manner.
They DO operate two Saabs. (they had three here until one lost a cowling and in the process damaged a propeller beyond repair...personally I think accidents do happen and is pretty unfortunate for them...sorry about that Lazaro). These Saabs originated at Nashville, TN airport (dumped Saab land at the Embreaer facility), where they were leased (rented) from Aero Century Corp. from Mr. Steven H. Wallace, and Aircraft remarketer. from Lenexa, Kansas (I have the man's card since he wanted me to take a few of those saabs with me too...they are getting rid of them like rotten fish).
Eversince they brought the planes here, they have had nothing but trouble with them, no only with the airplanes, that are quite a bit of a handful, but also, their operation is quite disorganized, and disoriented. Luckily they have a few good pilots remaining that are good professionals, and are keeping the boat from sinking.
Their expressions of expansionism and market invasion are not well based. They do not have the necessary foundations, organization, knowledge and expertise to back up their words, much less to express the way they do.
Many people thought they would not last out more than just a few months, but in the end, any company can last as long as the owner's ability to stay in business. I guess it is up to them.
I'd say I would leave them to American Eagle...they know what to do with big mouth operators. Those are the big guys in the block.
