Why would Allegiant Post A Job for Airbus Fleet Manager? Mistake?

[johnsonrod]

Not sure if this has already been discussed - I just saw this interesting post on another forum.

Is this a typical typo/HR mistake on their part or a hint about their fleet intentions? Are there enough older A320/319s parked to get them on the cheap nowadays? Certainly the MD83 performance is not stellar - so, the A320 could probably fit the bill on most routes and most runway lengths currently used by the MD83. Anyone at Allegiant heard any internal chatter to confirm this?

With oil prices fluctuating, is now the time to start to re-fleet Allegiant? Obviously the MD80s are complete gas and maintenance hogs.... If they are publishing this job opening now, you can bet they are (or already have been) negotiating something - right?

See the Request for an Airbus Fleet Manager below:


https://www9.ultirecruit.com/ALL101...&__jbsrc=842E0E3F-B3FC-492C-A728-1F593571C0A1

 

[Heavy Set]

It's plausible.... Plenty of A320/21 airplanes available out there - probably pretty cheap. Both Spanair in Europe and Kingfisher in India have grounded 30-40 Airbus airplanes apiece. Many of these are older airplanes whereas many recent Airbus orders have been for the newer NEO version - so, even more of the older A320/21 aircraft will become available over time as NEOs replace them...

At one point there was a rumor that Delta was considering a bigger Airbus purchase (if the 717 deal didn't work out) - I suspect Airbus (manufacturer) might be approaching Allegiant with a replacement deal instead if Delta doesn't work out. Again, many older Airbus airframes available these days.

I am sure the Allegiant pilots would be happy with the swap. More roomy up front. Although, they would have to learn how to "turn off" their flying skills in the Airbus. Just joking... :laugh: An America West Airbus Capt once told me the A320 was designed to protect 3rd-world pilots from killing themselves. Having flown both highly-automated bizjets and pure analog widebody aircraft, I can understand how skills can degrade a bit when you are largely "monitoring" the flight.

 

[BEECH-SLAPPED]

Had almost every big wig in the company come and talk to our recurrent class recently. While they wouldn't say that a deal is done, it's pretty easy to read between the lines. The 80's will be here for several more years, but will be slowly phased out beginning next year. Very good deals on 319's/320's out there and we were told that with the fuel savings, they would pay for themselves even with our lower-than-average fleet utilization.

 

[Flyer1015]

I am sure the Allegiant pilots would be happy with the swap. More roomy up front. Although, they would have to learn how to "turn off" their flying skills in the Airbus. Just joking... :laugh: An America West Airbus Capt once told me the A320 was designed to protect 3rd-world pilots from killing themselves. Having flown both highly-automated bizjets and pure analog widebody aircraft, I can understand how skills can degrade a bit when you are largely "monitoring" the flight.

Don't be fooled, the Airbus is still like any other airplane.

 

[N813CA]

if you don't understand the bus... It will violate you quick.

 

[johnsonrod]

Think I saw a picture of a Kingfisher A321 getting parted-out within the last month. If someone is willing to part-out an A321, the values must be dropping.

I know a guy at Allegiant who actually really enjoys flying the MD83. He likes the analog/glass mix.

 

[crxpilot]

Think I saw a picture of a Kingfisher A321 getting parted-out within the last month. If someone is willing to part-out an A321, the values must be dropping.

I know a guy at Allegiant who actually really enjoys flying the MD83. He likes the analog/glass mix.

 

[johnsonrod]

I get the sarcasm icon. I guess you could call it a lot of analog, FMS and a few EFIS tubes (like those found in a Brasilia/1900D). Still, in a few years when you are "along for the ride" on an A320, you might appreciate some of the actual "flying" you did in the MD83.

After 10 years in the ERJ, I can't remember what it is like to fly analog.... I am probably glass dependent. I might just have to go straight to the Airbus at Allegiant if you guys start hiring into it...:laugh:

 

[Captain Morgan]

if you don't understand the bus... It will violate you quick.

Most meaningful post! "WTF is it doing now?!?!"

 

[Flyer1015]

Most meaningful post! "WTF is it doing now?!?!"

As with any new plane, it'll feel like that.

 

[brokedash]

Of course the Airbus will call you a 'retard' on final/landing

 

[hyflyin]

Don't be fooled, the Airbus is still like any other airplane.

If you think that, then clearly you do not understand the Airbus.

 

[n757st]

Most meaningful post! "WTF is it doing now?!?!"

Thats what you say your first 2000 hrs in the bus. After that it becomes.. awww sh!t, its doing that crap again!

The airbus is seriously a nice ride, and yes it still acts like most planes, but it is a jet you need to understand what its trying to do at all times.

 

[SMcC]

If you think that, then clearly you do not understand the Airbus.

I have to say the opposite is true.

 

[Flyer1015]

If you think that, then clearly you do not understand the Airbus.

It is like any other airplane. A previous commenter noted "if you don't understand the Airbus, it'll violate you quick" and another one "what's it doing now?"

Violation from the Airbus standpoint is usually in the climb/descent phases with improper VNAV planning, things like an incorrect mode. Other than that, you're in control of the airplane. You can still take the autopilot off, FDs off, and do what you need the aircraft to do. As with any new airplane, it'll take some time to get used to it.

 

[rigger]

It is like any other airplane. A previous commenter noted "if you don't understand the Airbus, it'll violate you quick" and another one "what's it doing now?"

Violation from the Airbus standpoint is usually in the climb/descent phases with improper VNAV planning, things like an incorrect mode. Other than that, you're in control of the airplane. You can still take the autopilot off, FDs off, and do what you need the aircraft to do. As with any new airplane, it'll take some time to get used to it.

Unless that is of course if it does not like what you are doing or thinks what you are doing will hurt you then it will do what it thinks you should have been doing all along.....kinda like an old legacy capt....used to do back in the day!

 

[tomgoodman]

Anybody remember the Mad Dog when it first came out? Sort of like a computerized steam locomotive. :nuts:

 

[SMcC]

if you don't understand the bus... It will violate you quick.

If you don't understand the ....(fill in the blank - airplane)... It will violate you quick.

Sorry to contribute to the thread drift, but the bus keeps getting a bad rap from the ignorant. Like any airplane there is a learning curve.

 

[SMcC]

Anybody remember the Mad Dog when it first came out? Sort of like a computerized steam locomotive. :nuts:

Turn all that shiz off and its just another DC9, right?

 

[tomgoodman]

Turn all that shiz off and its just another DC9, right?

Well, not quite. Some of the DC-9 components had been replaced by new stuff that didn't always like working with the remaining old stuff. Think of a merged seniority list.