SWA to England?

[Whataburger]

It doesn't matter how much gas SWA has hedged when Air France starts a fare war. Do you SWA pilots speak French?

Si. Do they have Au Bon Pain there?

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

The Open Skies process is well underway. If you want to hope that the money makers in this country keep you mind when the do the deal then stay disengaged....

However, if you want to be able to have imput as to how your career is going to change..and it will change... then it is time to get involved....

Change will happen.

There are no more US Sailors

Juan and Xiang will fly our jets.

 

[legalalien]

Anybody who has read what Mike O'Leary says knows what a windbag he is. Do a search and see what he says about pilots.

There is simply no way any carrier can make money shuttling people across the Atlantic for $14, nor $24, $34, or $44. The article is another gimmick of media manipulation by this man.

Take a look at Ryanair.com They have a fare sale on at the moment with prices starting at 0.01 UK pounds At todays rate that is 2 cents one way (of course they charge tax on top of that.

Mike O'Leary has a long stated ambition to be able to charge zero for the fare and make his money off of charging for everything else - and I wouldn't bet against him doing that!

 

[CF34-3B1]

I think it is only a matter of time before SWA or B6 start flying to Europe. It will take some time but it does make sense since the transatlantic flying seems to offer higher yields. I can see 787's in SWA colors and A330's or A350's in B6 colors in the next 5-10 years....

There's a model of a 787 in one of the glass cases in the SWA GO lobby in DAL.........

 

[CF34-3B1]

Huh? Transatlantic routes with LCCs would not have very high yields. Only routes between restricted airports or slot controlled airports will have higher yields. The routes with LCCs on them would most likely go to smaller, out of the way airports, like SWF near NYC, or Sanford near MCO. If Ryanair is stating they will have 7 Euro fares to the US, how could you think there is high yield there? The LCCs will fight it out on routes between London Luton and SWF etc, while the legacies will carry the higher fare business pax to LHR and CDG from JFK and ORD.


Bye Bye--General Lee

In the past few years SWA has added service to DEN PIT PHL IAD and about to start SFO with more to come.

Do you really think the only places we'll ever fly to from there are Vegas and LBB?

Plus I'm sure plenty of our current customers in LAS, MCO, TPA, JAX, BNA, BDL, etc etc etc would LUV to see us go to Europe.

 

[General Lee]

In the past few years SWA has added service to DEN PIT PHL IAD and about to start SFO with more to come.

Do you really think the only places we'll ever fly to from there are Vegas and LBB?

Plus I'm sure plenty of our current customers in LAS, MCO, TPA, JAX, BNA, BDL, etc etc etc would LUV to see us go to Europe.

I think it is great that you have added domestic service to all of these places, but you still have a better chance to go to LBB than almost any other pilot, since your airline does fly there a lot. That can be good and bad. Listen, I am just stating that your airline does a different type of flying than the legacies, with less options for plane types and variety in routes. Your airline does do well in the pay department, though, and that is good. Many out there do not want to fly multiple legs with 25 minute turns for the rest of their life. You had the chance to see the world at Atlas, and you chose SWA (wisely I might add). Good for you. But, your airline's type of flying and schedule is not for everyone.

As far as your INTL plans, even the article said ATA would probably do the flying. I think Gary Kelly wants to be careful on changing the successful model of Southwest. Right now Ryanair in Europe is testing the waters with statements of possible trans atlantic flying, primarily because their plan to buy Aer Lingus has not gone well and has been rebuffed a couple of times. If Ryanair would do it, the flights would be to far off remote airports, away from more expensive INTL airports. (like SWF near NYC, and maybe Sanford near MCO) I can maybe see Jetblue starting A330 transatlantic service, primarily because they already have a good base at JFK, with plenty of feed. Southwest, on the other hand, could maybe do something out of BWI, but I would guess they would try ATA first. And no, I don't think most Southwest passengers would want to try a ten hour flight on your planes--with no IFE and just snacks. 5 hours from PVD to LAS or PHL to LAX must be terrible.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Truckdriver]

Except a A320 is not going to make it from JFK to Europe.

What are you kidding me, really, NOT even close.

Your right, I guess I should have said 330's. If B6 jumps into the mix it will be with 330's. The new terminal is designed to accomodate widebodies though some think it is only a 320 terminal. I don't think JetBlue will do this anytime soon, but if everyone else starts doing it, they might just jump in. If they do, they are set up to do better than any of the other LCC's in the U.S. Like I said, I think JetBlue could fill lots of airplanes to a number of cities in Europe from JFK.

 

[LJDRVR]

I hate be accused of pissing in the purple kool-aid by you cultists, but SWA to Europe in ANY 737? Please, come on fellas.

You guys are VERY good at what you do. But your leaders have wisely decided to leave the transatlantic flying to the airlines with the business model and equipment to do so.

I work for a carrier that flies to more cities than any airline in the world, yet we NEVER cross the pond with our 737's. (It's not that you can't, you'd just lose your shirt financially if you did.)

Large Legacy carriers with the network structure will simply outspend any LCC entrant into these markets. Stinky, backpacking hippies may try Ryanair once or twice, from Manchester to Providence, but everybody else on the planet will be flying on Delta, American, United, Continental, Northwest and the others. (BA and VA)

What amazes me is why WN has yet to go after the Mexico Market? Not that I'm complaining, we make a large portion of our bread and butter with Mexico Operations.

Here's a fun trivia question, who is the second largest airline in Mexico as far as number of daily operations?

a. Aeromexico
b. Mexicana/Click
c. Aero Litoral
d. Groupa TACA
e. COPA
f. Express Jet
g. Aero California
h. Azteca
i. Aero Litoral
j. Aviacsa

 

[Britpilot]

ExpressJet?

 

[LJDRVR]

ExpressJet?

Si'. dba COEX

 

[Britpilot]

Cool, what do I win?

 

[AC560]

However, if you want to be able to have imput as to how your career is going to change..and it will change... then it is time to get involved....

In order to do that though you are going to have to adopt a strategy different then the one of entrenchment that labor has practiced for years. Using the same tactic for 40yrs which has never been successful and thinking it is going to save aviation jobs, well ask a textile worker in the Carolina's what the end result to your plan is going to be.

 

[General Lee]

Your right, I guess I should have said 330's. If B6 jumps into the mix it will be with 330's. The new terminal is designed to accomodate widebodies though some think it is only a 320 terminal. I don't think JetBlue will do this anytime soon, but if everyone else starts doing it, they might just jump in. If they do, they are set up to do better than any of the other LCC's in the U.S. Like I said, I think JetBlue could fill lots of airplanes to a number of cities in Europe from JFK.

When we told you guys about the possibility that DL would maybe buy you guys for the new terminal, everyone said there was a "poison pill" in the terminal design not allowing widebodies. We said that was a bunch of crock then, and now you confirmed it. Thanks.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Si'. dba COEX

According to the April Latin America OAG---Expressjet flies 50 flights per day from IAH to Mexico, and 1 daily flight from McAllen to Mexico City. The LAX flights to Leon etc are right now only Sun morning (1230am local) flights, so they are not daily.

Here are the flights from IAH to Mexico for you:
ACA--1 daily, Aguascalientes--2 daily, Chihuahua--2 daily, Ciudad Del Carmen--1 daily, GDL--5 daily, Huatulco--5 weekly, Ixtapa--2 daily, Leon--4 daily, Los Cabos--2 daily, Manzanillo---5 weekly, Mazatlan--2 daily, Mexico City--4 daily, Toluca--1 daily, Monclova--5 weekly, Monterrey--6 daily, Morelia--1 daily, Oaxaca--3 weekly, Puebla--1 daily, PVR--3 daily, Queretaro--1 daily, Saltilo--1 daily, San Luis Potsi--2 daily, Tampico--1 daily, Torreon--2 daily, Veracruz---1 daily, Villahermosa--1 daily.

Add 1 daily flight McAllen to Mexico City, and you have a grand total of: 51 flghts. I would have to think that Mexicana has more than 51 total flights within Mexico, epecially since it has flights out of GDL to all over Mexico and LAX, ORD, etc. Then add Mexico City and all of their flights, along with their low cost Click. I think you may be wrong.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Mexicana has 25 flights a day out of GDL alone (MEX, TIJ, LAX, SJC, OAK, ORD, SFO etc), and I have counted 91 Mexicana flights daily from Mexico City, not including another 40 or so on Click Fokker 100s. AeroMexico has more flights, but Mexicana/Click has many more flights than Coex (expressjet) in Mexico. I could list the cities and frequencies if you want....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Whine Lover]

CAUTION: "Morons At Play"


Many of you ( G. L. ) should be Euthanized ( A Big Word ) so that you don't Procreate ( Another Big Word ).


Love,


YKW

 

[General Lee]

CAUTION: "Morons At Play"


Many of you ( G. L. ) should be Euthanized ( A Big Word ) so that you don't Procreate ( Another BIg Word ).


Love,


YKW

Hey, you only wish you could prove a point. You sound like someone who picks a fight in an argument when you know you are wrong or "can't think straight..." You are the moron, and I am right. Some people can get away with making outlandish statements and get away with it, primarily because others are lazy. You sound lazy.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Truckdriver]

When we told you guys about the possibility that DL would maybe buy you guys for the new terminal, everyone said there was a "poison pill" in the terminal design not allowing widebodies. We said that was a bunch of crock then, and now you confirmed it. Thanks.


Bye Bye--General Lee

The Port Authority is paying for most of the terminal. There is no way they would build a terminal that big that could only accomodate 320's and 190's. I have never read or heard anything other than people on this site say that it cannot accomodate widebodies. I did read an article when the terminal was first announced that said it would be able to accomodate all aircraft types except the 380. I can't seem to find that article for reference since it was over a year ago. "Poison Pill" seems to be the latest buzz word going around B6. The latest "Poison Pill" rumor is that if someone buys us and we are not ratioed into the aquiring airline via relative seniority in seat of like aircraft, that the acquiring airline will be required to pay us 5 years pay based on the previous year's W-2. That would give most Captains about 750K and most FO's about 300K. If that were the case, I want Delta to buy us and NOT ratio us in. I'd take a couple thousand and hit the street running. Apparently, David and the crowd would make it a condition of the sale that must be honored. I'm not sure how something like that would hold up in a court.

 

[General Lee]

The Port Authority is paying for most of the terminal. There is no way they would build a terminal that big that could only accomodate 320's and 190's. I have never read or heard anything other than people on this site say that it cannot accomodate widebodies. I did read an article when the terminal was first announced that said it would be able to accomodate all aircraft types except the 380. I can't seem to find that article for reference since it was over a year ago. "Poison Pill" seems to be the latest buzz word going around B6. The latest "Poison Pill" rumor is that if someone buys us and we are not ratioed into the aquiring airline via relative seniority in seat of like aircraft, that the acquiring airline will be required to pay us 5 years pay based on the previous year's W-2. That would give most Captains about 750K and most FO's about 300K. If that were the case, I want Delta to buy us and NOT ratio us in. I'd take a couple thousand and hit the street running. Apparently, David and the crowd would make it a condition of the sale that must be honored. I'm not sure how something like that would hold up in a court.

I didn't say you said that about the gate size, but some of the other JB guys did, and I always responded that it could be changed on the golf course (while talking with the teamsters.....). No, it wouldn't make sense, because if for some reason you guys liquidated (a crash etc), then the Port Authority would be stuck with a new terminal without widebody gates. Anyway, it would make sense for you guys to get A330s and maybe start some European service, since you do have good feed at JFK. As far as an aquirer having to pay each of your pilots money, I doubt anyone would agree to that, and Dave Neeleman would sell you out if he had to. I am not saying he will, but if it were in his best interests for some reason, he would do it and move back to SLC and hide in the mountains.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Yuppyguppy]

That's all we need is more hurb turds over the atlantic...not gonna happen