The Beginning of the End at Airtran

[PCL_128]

Hmmm, sounds like you're just hating. Sorry your company doesn't have a win-win business plan.

Yeah, all those years of profitability are just killing us!

 

[ifly4food]

Yeah, all those years of profitability are just killing us!

I don't know, I keep hearing about Airtran slowing growth. Have then not done so? "Past performance does not predict future gains".

 

[PCL_128]

Slowing growth doesn't mean the end of profits. To the contrary, it means the company is acting smart about the coming recession.

 

[SkiFishFly]

Hmmm, sounds like you're just hating. Sorry your company doesn't have a win-win business plan.

Airtran is a distant memory once DAL and whatever merger partner they settle with put a strangle on you. I think the era of LCCs is almost over.

Lets see now - what is the biggest cost for all airlines right now - no not management - it is fuel.

DAL and NWA fly mostly RJs, MD-80s and DC-9s on the routes where we fly 717s and 737s.

Who is sucking down considerably more fuel at $3.00 plus a gallon???? Who is probably soon to cut back flying of these fuel sucking aircraft???

 

[ifly4food]

Slowing growth doesn't mean the end of profits. To the contrary, it means the company is acting smart about the coming recession.

So you concede that Airtran is cutting back? You mean that business model they formulated in the early 2000s isn't so good any more? Or maybe the LCC market has just reached saturation?

And when you get done furiously typing the reply to that, PCL, why not share your thoughts on USAPA with us. Beginning with why you think you have a dog in that fight, and why your opinion matters, since you're not even in ALPA anymore.

 

[~~~^~~~]

AAI and SWA are majors, just not legacies. As for being a "low cost carrier," I don't even know what that means anymore. Every airline seems like a low cost carrier nowadays.

Actually, with oil where it is, every airline is a High Cost Carrier. AirTran does a good job with their execution and is a tough competitor for Delta. Delta has a better network, but many business travellers like the way AirTran treats them.

These two tough competitors will continue to compete. The CRJ200 is no match for a 717, but for the numbers SKYW CRJ700's and 900's are. Arguably AirTran has better service and that is an area Delta can improve on. Inflight Entertainment will help. Since most of the DL fleet has full galleys, I wish they would consider bringing back food, something that AirTran could not easily match.

For what it looks like NWA and DAL will do, AAI's fleet would be a perfect fit too. It probably will not ever happen, but I'd like to work with the AAI pilots - good group of folks.

 

[PCL_128]

So you concede that Airtran is cutting back? You mean that business model they formulated in the early 2000s isn't so good any more? Or maybe the LCC market has just reached saturation?

And when you get done furiously typing the reply to that, PCL, why not share your thoughts on USAPA with us. Beginning with why you think you have a dog in that fight, and why your opinion matters, since you're not even in ALPA anymore.

In that case, maybe you should follow your own standard: if you're not supposed to post on anything that doesn't directly affect you, then you shouldn't be in this thread! Buh-bye!

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

That's funny the key word is growth. We are still growing and will continue to grow, and no I wasn't hating just stating the facts. I know life is so much better at regional. Man what was I thinking.

 

[IdRtherBsailing]

Yeah, all those years of profitability are just killing us!

So will that be reflected in pay and compensation. I suppose management is justr being smart about a recession?

I think we'll be just fine. Actually, I did. You can probably find examples of that in my old posts.

Who is going to go through over 6000 posts to find examples of your thoughts on the RJ. Really, over 6000 posts? You should consider getting a companion or even an Xbox. According to your stats your posts exceed your total time. I think if you reach 10,000 you'll get a uSAPa pin though.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

We will keep fighting. We voted down $184, so we didn't throw most of the pilot group under the bus. And we will do again if the QOL issue and pay aren't there.

 

[jke406]

Yeah, all those years of profitability are just killing us!

yes, profitability...paid for by your crap wages and work rules. Congratulations on being so "profitable"!

 

[Kharma Police]

yes, profitability...paid for by your crap wages and work rules. Congratulations on being so "profitable"!

You're right, we can always declare bankruptcy instead of posting a profit.

 

[jke406]

You're right, we can always declare bankruptcy instead of posting a profit.

You are making less and have worse rules than the legacies' concessionary contracts. How's that working for you?

Bragging that your company did not declare bankruptcy is great. How much money is that putting in your pocket?

 

[PCL_128]

yes, profitability...paid for by your crap wages and work rules. Congratulations on being so "profitable"!

Which company was it you worked for again?

 

[RLAblows]

I don't know, I keep hearing about Airtran slowing growth. Have then not done so? "Past performance does not predict future gains".

What US airline has announced growth at $105 a barrel? I haven't seen any Legacy, LCC, Regional... announce growth, so I would find Airtrans growth cut back in line with SWA and the others. I would have to agree with others that the CRJ 200 might have a shorter life expectancy with oil prices going to record levels. So be careful who you throw stones at.