Airtran shifting the role of some of their RJs

[maxblast72]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AirTran-Airways-Adds-Three-prnews-14737651.html

Airtran is continuing to focus on adding point to point flying with the Boeing 717 to reduce the percentage of flying done through the ATL. The MDT-MCO flying must be profitable as we add Knoxville and Asheville as cities like Harrisburg that have one trip a day to Orlando and no service to ATL. Lots more small to medium cities east of the Mississippi that we can expand into (time to start picking off the Allegiant cities one at a time).

The guys looking for a MCO base someday have to see this trend as positive.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Delta used to do that, Comair tried, ASA tried, Chatuquamesashuttleaconnection tried. But the 717's a better platform.

 

[Colonel Savage]

Max- You consider the 717 in the same league as the CRJ's/EMB's?

 

[climbhappy]

ACY just announced your coming up here.

 

[maxblast72]

Max- You consider the 717 in the same league as the CRJ's/EMB's?

Inside joke that the 717 guys are the RJ drivers feeding our mainline 737s. The 737 CAs that got displaced over to the 717 last fall only feel like half the men the used to be.

All joking aside, I believe the junior 60-70% at Airtran understand the significance of scope and have the desire to keep 717 pay the same as the 737 as the junior 60-70% will not be able to hold 737 CA for 10-15 years. Watching some of the industry events that have unfolded over the last 24 months has only increased our resolve to hold the line on this issue.

 

[BEECH-SLAPPED]

Lots more small to medium cities east of the Mississippi that we can expand into (time to start picking off the Allegiant cities one at a time).

Best of luck to you, but our regular fares for the month you start TYS are already $20 lower than your introductory fares. As I'm sure you know, Florida travelers will sell their first-born to save $20 on airfare. Of course, the prospect of landing closer to Disney World may be enticing to many people. There's slightly more to our business model, however, than just going into smaller cities.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Doesn't matter. When Alaska buys Air Tran it'll all change anyway.

 

[maxblast72]

Best of luck to you, but our regular fares for the month you start TYS are already $20 lower than your introductory fares. As I'm sure you know, Florida travelers will sell their first-born to save $20 on airfare. Of course, the prospect of landing closer to Disney World may be enticing to many people. There's slightly more to our business model, however, than just going into smaller cities.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the majority of Allegiant routes have no nonstop competitiors. I remember Allegiant stopping SWF-MCO at the same time as Airtran and Jetblue started. I think that is a good strategy on Allegiants part to stay on routes where they are the only player.

 

[fifinella]

Short term viable, but when oil goes up to 100/barrel Tranny wont be able to support the smaller cities

 

[macdu]

Short term viable, but when oil goes up to 100/barrel Tranny wont be able to support the smaller cities

Nobody will.

 

[d.fitz]

Short term viable, but when oil goes up to 100/barrel Tranny wont be able to support the smaller cities

It's going to be a few years before you see that again.

I thought Delta was buying Alaska? Now I hear Alaska is buying Airtran???

 

[fifinella]

Nobody will.

Allegiant did....

 

[fifinella]

It's going to be a few years before you see that again.

Lets hope thats the case......

 

[Colonel Savage]

Inside joke that the 717 guys are the RJ drivers feeding our mainline 737s... Watching some of the industry events that have unfolded over the last 24 months has only increased our resolve to hold the line on this issue.

My only advice is be careful not to talk down or diminish in any way the flying you do at the same time you're trying to defend it. The walls have ears...

And absolutly hold the line, just remember SCOPE is not exactly ALPA's strong suit. Look at what's going on at DAL right now.

 

[EatinRamen]

Best of luck to you, but our regular fares for the month you start TYS are already $20 lower than your introductory fares. As I'm sure you know, Florida travelers will sell their first-born to save $20 on airfare. Of course, the prospect of landing closer to Disney World may be enticing to many people. There's slightly more to our business model, however, than just going into smaller cities.

While your introductory fare may be lower, a pax on Allegiant still has to pay the booking fee, the baggage fee, the fee for selecting a seat, fee for a soda, etc...

When it's all said and done, AirTran may actually be cheaper than Allegiant. AirTran will also get you much closer to the attractions.

 

[Murphy]

What is the official ALPA policy on scope?

 

[tubelcane]

Ask a TWA guy!

 

[BEECH-SLAPPED]

While your introductory fare may be lower, a pax on Allegiant still has to pay the booking fee, the baggage fee, the fee for selecting a seat, fee for a soda, etc...

When it's all said and done, AirTran may actually be cheaper than Allegiant. AirTran will also get you much closer to the attractions.

But the passenger doesn't HAVE to buy any of this. If they want to get the clan down to FL for the cheapest fare, they will go with whoever has the lowest base fare. People will search for hours online to save $10, but they will have no problem plunking down $30 in sodas and snacks while on board. I know it sounds weird, but it's true, and it's the main reason that we're profitable.

 

[maxblast72]

And absolutly hold the line, just remember SCOPE is not exactly ALPA's strong suit. Look at what's going on at DAL right now.

The situation at Airtran is a little different. Scope relaxation or a different payscale for a 100 seat aircraft will possibly affect 63% of our pilots as the 717 makes up 63% of our fleet. At Delta, much easier for senior guys to let a few DC-9s get replaced by a few E-170/CRJ900s if they get something in return (better pay, retirement).

At Airtran, you only have to go back 5 years to get to the 50% seniority point. I would imagine at Delta it takes at least 15 years. Tougher for those guys that have been there 15 years to remember where they came from and tend to sell the junior guys down the road more often.

 

[75M]

The situation at Airtran is a little different. Scope relaxation or a different payscale for a 100 seat aircraft will possibly affect 63% of our pilots as the 717 makes up 63% of our fleet.

True, but it makes up more like 70 % of our block hours.