CCAir
Encyclopedia
CCAir, Inc. was a regional airline headquartered in Charlotte
, North Carolina
, United States
.
CCAir was created in 1987 when Sunbird Airlines
was renamed. Operating as a Piedmont Commuter
/ USAir Express
code-sharing partner, its radio call sign was "Carolina". The CC stood for Carolina Commuter. Most of the employees were local people who were extremely loyal to the company.
CCAir (beginning as predecessor Sunbird Airlines) had experienced a tremendous period of growth in the years 1985-1987. With the Piedmont/USAir merger, the company experienced a tremendous change in the compensation arrangements with their senior partner. These problems eventually led to the company filing bankruptcy in order to protect themselves from creditors. Former CEO Ken Gann, was responsible for turning around the airline and restructuring it. CCAir was the first commuter airline to ever enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy and emerge profitable.
CCAir Began with a fleet of Cessna 402 Businessliner piston-engined aircraft, Beech 99 Airliners and Shorts 330 Skyvans. After the changeover to CCAIR the Cessna were retired and the Shorts 330's were replaced by the new Shorts 360
. CCAir also acquired the BAE Jetstream 32, a pressurized aircraft which proved a poor choice as most flights were operated under 10,000 feet and maintenance costs were high.In the mid 90's code-sharing partner USAir directed CCAir to begin the acquisition of DeHavilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft.
In 1999, Mesa Air Group
acquired CCAIR. Under Mesa CEO Jonathan Ornstein, CCAIR and Mesa were operated as separate airlines. Some CCAIR Gate/Ticket agents and Ground handlers attempted to unionize, but the vote was narrowly against representation. Mr. Ornstein promised to work with ground personnel, but shortly thereafter canceled the ground handling service with US Airways Express. Also several cities in North Carolina, Hickory
, Southern Pines/Pinehurst
, Kinston
and Rocky Mount
, NC lost their air service, which was flown by CCAIR. The CCAIR pilots resisted many offers to take paycuts and deep concessions to have the chance for growth and flying Regional Jets.
Mr. Ornstein slowly started making changes to CCAIR. First the high-maintenance Jetstream 32's were grounded and Mesa's Beech 1900s were brought in to replace the Jetstreams. Finally, in 2002, a deep concessionary agreement was proposed to the CCAIR pilots. When voted upon and ratified, ALPA (Airline Pilots Association) President, Duane Woerth promised the CCAIR pilots he would sign off on the agreement, but reneged when he felt the agreement was too concessionary in nature. A few pilots attempted to sue ALPA in federal court in Charlotte, but US District Court Judge Graham Muellen upheld ALPA's decision not to allow the new Collective Bargaining Agreement to take effect. On November 4, 2002, CCAIR ceased operations. Most CCAir pilots found employment with Mesa and Mesa's collective bargaining agreement in their respective operations.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
CCAir was created in 1987 when Sunbird Airlines
Sunbird Airlines
Sunbird Airlines, "The Carolina Connection", was founded in Denver, North Carolina in 1979.Operating the Cessna 402, and later the Cessna 404 aircraft, the company shared equipment, operations, maintenance and facilities with parent company Mountain Air Cargo...
was renamed. Operating as a Piedmont Commuter
Piedmont Airlines
Piedmont Airlines is an American regional airline operating for US Airways Express. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the US Airways Group, headquartered in unincorporated Wicomico County, Maryland, near the city of Salisbury, it conducts flight operations using De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft...
/ USAir Express
US Airways Express
US Airways Express is an airline brand name, rather than a fully certified airline, and as such, the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned airlines or airline holding companies which provide regional airline and commuter service for US Airways.Operations are conducted from...
code-sharing partner, its radio call sign was "Carolina". The CC stood for Carolina Commuter. Most of the employees were local people who were extremely loyal to the company.
CCAir (beginning as predecessor Sunbird Airlines) had experienced a tremendous period of growth in the years 1985-1987. With the Piedmont/USAir merger, the company experienced a tremendous change in the compensation arrangements with their senior partner. These problems eventually led to the company filing bankruptcy in order to protect themselves from creditors. Former CEO Ken Gann, was responsible for turning around the airline and restructuring it. CCAir was the first commuter airline to ever enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy and emerge profitable.
CCAir Began with a fleet of Cessna 402 Businessliner piston-engined aircraft, Beech 99 Airliners and Shorts 330 Skyvans. After the changeover to CCAIR the Cessna were retired and the Shorts 330's were replaced by the new Shorts 360
Shorts 360
The Short 360 is a commuter aircraft built by Short Brothers. The Short 360 seats up to 36-39 passengers and was introduced into service in 1981. It is a larger version of the Short 330.-Development:...
. CCAir also acquired the BAE Jetstream 32, a pressurized aircraft which proved a poor choice as most flights were operated under 10,000 feet and maintenance costs were high.In the mid 90's code-sharing partner USAir directed CCAir to begin the acquisition of DeHavilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft.
In 1999, Mesa Air Group
Mesa Air Group
Mesa Air Group, Inc. is a Nevada Corporation commercial aviation holding company with headquarters in Suite 100 at 410 North 44th Street in the Camelback East area of Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The company operates one regional airline subsidiary: Mesa Airlines, and five supporting...
acquired CCAIR. Under Mesa CEO Jonathan Ornstein, CCAIR and Mesa were operated as separate airlines. Some CCAIR Gate/Ticket agents and Ground handlers attempted to unionize, but the vote was narrowly against representation. Mr. Ornstein promised to work with ground personnel, but shortly thereafter canceled the ground handling service with US Airways Express. Also several cities in North Carolina, Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
, Southern Pines/Pinehurst
Pinehurst
-Place names:Canada* Pinehurst, Nova Scotia, village located outside New Germany* Pinehurst Lake, lake in northeastern AlbertaUnited States* Pinehurst, California* Pinehurst, Georgia* Pinehurst, Idaho* Pinehurst, Massachusetts...
, Kinston
Kinston
Kinston may refer to:*Kinston, Alabama*Kinston, North Carolina -See also:*Kingstone, Somerset*Kingston *Kingston Bridge *Kington *Kingstown...
and Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount is the name of:*Rocky Mount, Alabama*Rocky Mount, Georgia*Rocky Mount, Missouri*Rocky Mount, North Carolina**Rocky Mount **Rocky Mount Athletic Complex**Rocky Mount High School**Rocky Mount Instruments...
, NC lost their air service, which was flown by CCAIR. The CCAIR pilots resisted many offers to take paycuts and deep concessions to have the chance for growth and flying Regional Jets.
Mr. Ornstein slowly started making changes to CCAIR. First the high-maintenance Jetstream 32's were grounded and Mesa's Beech 1900s were brought in to replace the Jetstreams. Finally, in 2002, a deep concessionary agreement was proposed to the CCAIR pilots. When voted upon and ratified, ALPA (Airline Pilots Association) President, Duane Woerth promised the CCAIR pilots he would sign off on the agreement, but reneged when he felt the agreement was too concessionary in nature. A few pilots attempted to sue ALPA in federal court in Charlotte, but US District Court Judge Graham Muellen upheld ALPA's decision not to allow the new Collective Bargaining Agreement to take effect. On November 4, 2002, CCAIR ceased operations. Most CCAir pilots found employment with Mesa and Mesa's collective bargaining agreement in their respective operations.
External links
- CCAir (Archive)