Skybus

[epic!]

I know there are some threads about this in the majors section, but for those who dont peruse that thread i figured i would bring one here.

any thoughts on this new "ryanair" of the U.S.?

first thing that jumped out to me was:

"Skybus plans on paying significantly less on employee training and for equipment service."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skybus_Airlines

 

[DoinTime]

This is what stood out to me.

According to the company's website, the A319 will be configured with 156 seats, which would require a seat-pitch of 28 inches

28 inches is three inches less knee room than a CRJ and two inches less than a Saab. Riding on Skybus is going to be like riding in the back seat of a Camero. I was told once that you can make a pizza so cheap that nobody wants to eat it.

 

[Kaman]

If SWA or JBA doesn't run these guys out of business than no greater fool has ever been born.

 

[flypixs]

I am still trying to find out if I even want to talk about that low scum company. A friend of mine and I could have had an interview in March, but never went.
I do hope that SW or JB are not going to make it easy for them, however the Ryan team in Europe is doing a fine job on their part. But somehow I got that bad feeling that they might be around for some time.

 

[bvt1151]

Skybus will have to drastically change their business plan to survive. Ryanair doesn't fly 4 hour legs at $50 a seat, they fly 1 hour legs at $60 (30GBP) a seat. Multiply it out and Skybus receives $150 per seat per day (12 hours utilization is still too aggressive for reliability), and Ryanair receives $720 per seat per day.

You can't pay for your fixed costs at only $150 per seat per day.

 

[AV80R]

I heard about the $10 fares but thought there was no way, but...

SkyBus
Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Columbus, OH

Tuesday May 29, 2007 DepartsArrivesFlightTravel TimeFare marketDates2.push('10:27 PM');10:27 PM 12:52 AM 82 2hrs 25min

$10.00

*Prices shown are per person and do not include taxes and fees (we’ll calculate taxes and fees in the next step).

Of course they do have some $130 and some $160 tickets too...
http://www.skybus.com


To put things in perspective - here are Greyhound Bus prices for the same route and the same date (May 29) - one way from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Columbus, OH.

Greyhound Bus
Standard 1 Adult $143.50

7-Day Advance Purchase 1 Adult $84.00

Duration 1d, 6h, 35m

http://www.greyhound.com

 

[swordfish]

I had a friend interview for an FO slot, they only wanted to pay him 30000. he makes more then that as an fo at ASA.

 

[Avi8tor2000]

First year pay across the board is $30,000 at Continental too...

(Trust me I'm not defending this joke of an airline, just pointing out a fact. I think the pay may go up just a tad at CO though...)

 

[epic!]

according to airlinepilotcentral.com first year pay is

"FO pay: $30,000/hr with 1,500 stock options"

maybe they are just very generous

 

[XJohXJ]

ScumBus.

 

[DoinTime]

according to airlinepilotcentral.com first year pay is

"FO pay: $30,000/hr with 1,500 stock options"

maybe they are just very generous

Actually it is stated that FO pay is $30,000/yr. There is no mention that this number might increase with longevity.

 

[HA25]

If you want to put your life in the hands of a the captain the caliber of which is willing to fly an airbus for $65K/yr (less than a CRJ Cap in many cases), then go for it.. Me personally, I'd sooner board a Mesa flight.. at least the CA on that might just be a low time pilot with strong airmanship skills.. any one willing to fly a bus for $65K in a command position has to have problems getting a real flying job.

 

[DoinTime]

If you want to put your life in the hands of a the captain the caliber of which is willing to fly an airbus for $65K/yr (less than a CRJ Cap in many cases), then go for it.. Me personally, I'd sooner board a Mesa flight.. at least the CA on that might just be a low time pilot with strong airmanship skills.. any one willing to fly a bus for $65K in a command position has to have problems getting a real flying job.

Personally, I'd rather take my chances with someone who hasn't already proven that they are a screw up regardless of their experience level.

 

[AV80R]

Avi8tor2000 - First year pay across the board is $30,000 at Continental too...

Based on "the other site" it's $25,920 (72 hour guarantee) I'm sure you can pick up open time, etc.

 

[captjim]

28 inches of seat pitch

 

[Wooly]

What's 1st year pay at Greyhound? Bases? QOL? Anyone???

 

[johnsonrod]

I think General Lee on the Majors forum coined the name "Shame Train" which I think is appropriate. So, when you see one tell em' you got the SHAME TRAIN A319 on final in sight............

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Their clientèle will be overweight midwestern folk, so how will 28" pitch work? Just wondering.

 

[FADEC]

If you want to put your life in the hands of a the captain the caliber of which is willing to fly an airbus for $65K/yr (less than a CRJ Cap in many cases), then go for it.. Me personally, I'd sooner board a Mesa flight.. at least the CA on that might just be a low time pilot with strong airmanship skills.. any one willing to fly a bus for $65K in a command position has to have problems getting a real flying job.

Unfortunately this is not exactly the case. Many of their new CAs are ex Indy Air drivers who couldn't find much else after the shutdown. Whilst they may be taking subpaying jobs many of these guys have lots of experience having been around the old ACA/Indy Air system for many years. I am not here to justify their reasoning just pointing out some honest facts. By the way, I doubt SkyBus will last much longer than Independence.

 

[RP170]

Unfortunately this is not exactly the case. Many of their new CAs are ex Indy Air drivers who couldn't find much else after the shutdown.

That's a lame excuse. How long as Indy been out of business now? I know tons of Indy guys that have respectful jobs at places like NetJets, Continental, SW, etc. There are tons of us at regionals, too, including myself that didn't have PIC after leaving Indy. I feel that's a heck of a lot more repspectful than flying for Skybus. That should be an absolutue LAST resort.

These guys have good experience coming from Indy and they are going to go work for Skybus????? Are you kidding me???? Just about everyone else is hiring. I don't know why someone would waste their time with Skybus. Until people stop taking these pathetic jobs there will always be fuel to fire the race to the bottom. Some people are just too stupid to get it.